To continue our own mock draft, rotating the picks among the bloggers the Detroit Lions are on the clock now with the 15th Pick in the draft.

Pick #15: Rashard Mendenhall, RB Illinois
With the top WR prospect already gone, you just know Matt Millen is muttering obsceneties to himself. Becuase of their recent propensity for taking receivers in the first round, the Lions will probably still give serious thought to Oklahoma's big man Malcolm Kelly here, but ultimately they will make a smarter pick with better value, filling a position need at the same time. At least I think they will, because if past drafts are any indication the Lions are just as likely to pull a surprise here. But I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt and say they take Illinois RB Rashard Mendenhall. Detroit has holes to fill at multiple positions, including offensive and defensive line, running back, and linebacker. But with most of the top-tier DL and OL gone now, Mendenhall gives them the best value at their admittedly weak draft position. If they don't want Mendenhall, they should take Virginia G Brendan Albert, but Detroit consistently drafts offensive skill position players early so I believe they will take Mendenhall if he is there. The Lions have said they want to run the ball more frequently and effectively this year, so they need to draft someone who can actually do that. Kevin Jones is gone, and Tatum Bell has been on the decline the last couple years. Will the Lions 2008 draft enable them to crack the 10-win mark, as predicted again by QB Jon Kitna? I seriously doubt it, as this team just has too many weaknesses.

With that the Arizona Cardinals are on the clock!