The NFL draft will be a little different for the Lions after the last two years.

In 2009 they already had Matthew Stafford signed to a deal before taking him with the first overall pick.

In 2010, with the second-overall pick they took Ndamukong Suh, a no-brainer. They just had to wait to make sure St. Louis drafted Sam Bradford as everyone thought they would.

This year they will draft 13th in the first round. The Lions have six picks total -- the only round they won’t draft is sixth.

The biggest needs are at cornerback, strong safety and outside linebacker, but the Lions will pick the best available player available, within reason.

A look at early mock drafts is certainly inconclusive about who just might suit up for the Lions in the fall. I chose 10 mock drafts at random to see if there was a trend.

The first four each featured a different Detroit pick: OT Nate Solder, Colorado; OLB Akeem Ayers, UCLA; CB Brandon Harris, Miami-Florida; and OLT Anthony Castonzo, Boston College.

In 10 mock drafts, Solder and Ayers were most popular choices with three mock drafts each having them selected by Detroit.

Two had OLT Anthony Castonzo, Boston College, being selected by Lions.

The others were CB Brandon Harris, Miami-Florida, and DE Ryan Kerrigan, Purdue.

So there you have it. Granted it’s early in the process but there is no consensus yet.

There’s not an agreement at No. 1 for the Carolina Panthers either. But DT Nick Fairley of Auburn and DE Da’Quan Bowers of Clemson are the current favorites.

First night of the draft is April 28. But the NFL Combine is coming right up starting Feb. 24. The Oakland Press will have up-to-the-minute coverage from the Combine.

(Follow me on Twitter @PaulaPasche.)