I put together four draft scenarios for the paper the Lions could find themselves in this weekend and had to follow up with more analysis here. I'm working off the assumption the Lions have four main positions of need — defensive line, linebacker, running back and offensive tackle — they'll try to address in the first three rounds.

The most realistic of these scenarios, I believe, is No. 2 (there's a hint who I'll have at 15 in my mock draft tomorrow). All things being equal, the Lions want to upgrade their defensive front seven early and I don't see Derrick Harvey lasting past the Panthers at 13. If I was the Lions, the scenario I'd want most to play out is No. 1. Harvey would give the team the pass rusher it desperately needs, Bell is athletic enough to play middle linebacker in the Tampa 2, and Johnson and Collins can both be NFL starters down the road. Johnson also would help in the return game.

Scenarios three and four are very much in play if the Lions don't believe Mayo is worth the 15th pick. They may find better value addressing an offensive hole first — running back Jonathan Stewart, who I'm not convinced the Lions like better than Rashard Mendenhall, and tackle/guard Branden Albert also are possibilities — then concentrating on the defense. In No. 4, I didn't see a lineman worth taking late in the third round and the Lions will draft a cornerback at some point for depth. Thomas is a system guy who would fit the bill.

Which of these scenarios do you want for your Lions?

Scenario 1
First round (No. 15 overall): DE Derrick Harvey, Florida
Second round (No. 45 overall): RB Chris Johnson, East Carolina
Third round (No. 76 overall): OT Anthony Collins, Kansas
Third round (No. 87 overall): LB Beau Bell, UNLV

Scenario 2
First round: LB Jarod Mayo, Tennessee
Second round: DT Trevor Laws, Notre Dame
Third round: OT Oniel Cousins, UTEP
Third round: RB Matt Forte, Tulane

Scenario 3
First round: OT Chris Williams, Vanderbilt
Second round: LB Curtis Lofton, Oklahoma
Third round: DT Andre Fluellen, Florida State
Third round: RB Kevin Smith, Central Florida

Scenario 4
First round: RB Rashard Mendenhall, Illinois
Second round: DE Cliff Avril, Purdue
Third round: LB Jordon Dizon, Colorado
Third round: CB Terrell Thomas, USC