ESPN analyst Mel Kiper said on a conference call today (Wednesday) that he sees CB Jimmy Smith (Colorado) as a “top 10 talent” and doesn’t think it would be a stretch for the Lions to draft him at 13.

"If Philadelphia's looking at Jimmy Smith and Baltimore's looking at Jimmy Smith, why shouldn't Detroit?" Kiper asked.

A month ago the consensus was that there were two top cornerbacks — Patrick Peterson (LSU) and Prince Amukamara (Nebraska) — and then a dropoff. Now Kiper says there are four top corners adding Smith and Aaron Williams (Texas) to the top tier.

“It’s s a very intriguing cornerback group from top to bottom with Jimmy Smith moving up,’’ Kiper said.

While there’s some chatter about the Lions drafting an offensive lineman with the 13th pick, I don’t buy it.

The Lions’ most crucial need is cornerback and they should be able to address it at that spot.

If Amukamara doesn’t fall to 13, it’s likely that Smith will be available.

Smith had some off-the-field issues as a freshman that kept him down on the big boards, but his stock has been rising since teams have met with him and done their due diligence.

“Once they get to know this kid, looked into everything ... The teams I’ve spoken to feel very comfortable about Jimmy Smith, about breaking him in,’’ Kiper said. “Looking at talent, he’s a top 10 guy.’’

(Follow me on Twitter @PaulaPasche.)