All along the thinking has been that the Lions could possibly draft the second best cornerback in the pack. The question since the Combine has been exactly who is the second best corner.

Morris Claiborne (LSU) without question is the No. 1 cornerback and expected to be a Top 10 draft pick, maybe Top 5.

Dre Kirkpatrick (Alabama) was considered the second best, but then Stephon Gilmore (South Carolina) put on a show at the Combine.

"Everybody thought that was a foregone conclusion but Gilmore is putting some heat on Kirkpatrick," ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper said during a conference call on Thursday.

In his newest mock draft, Kiper has the Lions drafting Gilmore with the 23rd overall pick. He has Kirkpatrick going to the Bengals with the 17th pick, but said that could change before April 26.

Gilmore (6-foot, 190 pounds) ran the third fastest 40 among cornerbacks at the Combine with an official timing of 4.4.

“To be as physical as he is, people were wondering about his recoverability and the transition from college to pro. Would he have the catch-up speed and the recoverability that you need and could he fit different schemes,’’ Kiper said of Gilmore.

In his previous mock draft, Kiper had the Lions drafting CB Janoris Jenkins at that spot. Jenkins’ stock has dropped due to the revelation that he has four kids from three mothers at age 23, along with the drug arrests that dot his resume.

(Follow @PaulaPasche on Twitter. Get Lions news delivered directly to your phone by texting the keyword "Lions" to 22700. Msg & Data Rates May Apply. Text HELP for help. Text STOP to cancel.)