Brad Holmes can't sit still. The Lions traded up for a third time on Saturday, and for the fourth time in this year's draft, to take LSU defensive tackle Mekhi Wingo in the sixth round, No. 189 overall.
To make the move, the Lions sent the Texans picks Nos. 205 and 249, a sixth-rounder and a seventh.
In two seasons at LSU after transferring from Missouri, Wingo had 7.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss. He was limited to eight games last season when he needed surgery to reattach adductor muscles that had "torn off" around his pelvis, but returned to play in LSU's bowl win over Wisconsin. He was a team captain.
"I could've just packed it up and declared (for the draft), but it really got to me watching my team lose a few games with me being on the sideline," said Wingo. "Once I had my surgery, I just rehabbed my butt off and made it an emphasis to get back on the field with my guys one last time."
Wingo is on the lighter side for his position at 6'0, 285 pounds, but his athletic score at the combine ranked seventh among defensive tackles. He's drawn comparisons to former first-round pick Sheldon Rankins, who's had a productive eight-year career. In addition to his run-stopping ability, Wingo said he's "definitely a guy that can push the pocket and get after the QB."
"He is compact and powerful," says NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein, noting that Wingo is "tremendously agile as a short-space tackler" and "will be too athletic for some guards to handle as a pass rusher."
"Wingo could become an early backup as an even-front 3-technique, but he has three down-potential and could eventually become a starter," per Zierlein.
In Detroit, Wingo will join a defensive line led by Alim McNeill and D.J. Reader in the trenches. He should give Aaron Glenn and the Lions another versatile piece to work with up front.
"I’ve seen the style of football the Detroit Lions like to play, and I’m glad I'm part of the club now," said Wingo.
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