George Young, the late personnel guru and five-time NFL executive of the year who was recently selected to Pro Football Hall of Fame, had a theory about linemen.

He called it the Planet Theory: There are few humans on the planet big enough and athletic enough to play at the line of scrimmage in the NFL — so you’d better draft them when you can.

When it comes to the Detroit Lions’ concerns in the 2020 NFL draft next week, this theory should especially be heeded when it comes to selecting defensive tackles — a position the team is woefully thin at. After Danny Shelton and Da’Shawn Hand, the Lions don’t have any tackles on their roster with more than six games of starting experience.

The top defensive tackles in the draft who are close to locks to go in the first round are Auburn’s Derrick Brown and South Carolina’s Javon Kinlaw. If the Lions don’t pick either, here’s a look at other defensive tackles (or defensive linemen who aren’t exclusively edge rushers) they can select after the first round.

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The Lions have a pick in all seven rounds: First (No. 3). Second (35). Third (67 and 85). Fourth (109). Fifth (149 and 166). Sixth (182). Seventh (235).

Day 2: Second and third rounds

Ross Blacklock, TCU

Size: 6-foot-3, 290 pounds.

Why: He has a high motor and he’s excellent at pass rushing with relentless push. Not quite as strong as a run defender when he’s asked to take on blocks. Had good production last season with 40 tackles, including 3½ sacks and nine tackles for loss. He missed 2018 with a torn Achilles tendon, but was a better player for it after he lost 25 pounds in rehab.

Raekwon Davis, Alabama

Size: 6-6, 311.

Why: Lions general manager Bob Quinn likes drafting SEC defensive linemen as much as Joe Exotic loves hanging out with tigers. So Davis feels like a Lion. His physical attributes are undeniable and he had good production in four years. Never duplicated his 8½-sack sophomore season, and his production went down the next two years. More of a run-stuffer, but NFL defensive line coaches are probably dooling over Davis’ potential.

Neville Gallimore, Oklahoma

Size: 6-2, 304.

Why: The Ottawa, Ontario, native they call “Big Canada” reportedly has benched 500 pounds and was athletic enough to play nose tackle at nearly 330 pounds. Excellent at penetrating gaps, he might struggle early against the run while he learns to finish tackles while he’s engaged with a block.

Justin Madubuike, Texas A&M

Size: 6-3, 293.

Why: He’s undersized but was productive and consistent the past two years with 5½ sacks each season and 40 and 45 tackles respectively as a sophomore and junior. Wins with speed and quickness, but might struggle to overcome double teams. Has a high motor and plays through the whistle.

Leki Fotu, Utah

Size: 6-5, 330.

Why: This rugby player turned football stud could be the premier run-stuffer in the draft. He will almost exclusively be a two-down player, and excelled in that role at Utah on his way to earning All-Pac-12 honors the past two seasons. He was flagged for medical concerns at the Senior Bowl, but also reportedly had video conferences with 17 teams.

Davon Hamilton, Ohio State

Size: 6-4, 320.

Why: The fifth-year senior is an interesting prospect whose production and effectiveness will come into question because of Chase Young’s impact. But he’s shown good tape and plenty of power, athleticism and smarts for the Buckeyes. He can read plays, run stunts and track the ball. But he likely won’t be a factor as a pass rusher.

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Day 3: Fourth through seventh rounds

Jordan Elliott, Missouri

Size: 6-4, 302.

Why: Elliott started off at Texas in 2016 before he transferred to Missouri, where he finally got on the field in 2018 and eight tackles for loss and three sacks while not even being a starter. Last year, he showed his full promise with speed and athleticism for 44 tackles, 8½ for loss and 2½ sacks. Lacks polish as a pass rusher and could be a bit of a project.

James Lynch, Baylor

Size: 6-4, 289.

Why: Had great production in three seasons, and last year had 13½ sacks and 19½ tackles for loss on his way to earning Big 12 defensive player of the year honors. A lot of that came from playing as a 5-technique. Likely would play inside in the NFL and would need to add strength and bulk.

Rashard Lawrence, LSU

Size: 6-2, 308.

Why: Could be the best high-effort player at the position. Chases down plays with a dogged mentality, shows good explosion and low pad level. He was a team captain as a sophomore, shined as a junior, but missed spring drills last year after having surgery on his right knee. Productive in 12 games, making 28 tackles, six for loss with 2½ sacks in helping LSU win the national championship.

Larrell Murchison, North Carolina State

Size: 6-2, 297.

Why: The junior-college transfer made the most of his two seasons at the Power 5 level with 82 tackles, 20 for loss and seven of his 11 sacks coming as a senior. Has good quickness and technique and rarely gets put on the ground. Doesn’t have overpowering strength and struggles to disengage from early blocks.

Raequan Williams, Michigan State

Size: 6-4, 308.

Why: Consistent and dependable player for the Spartans who made 42 consecutive starts. Strong against the pass and shows good enough tackling radius in the run game. Should have enough versatility to play a variety of roles along the line. Struggles with two-gap duties and to break free from double teams.

Benito Jones, Mississippi

Size: 6-1, 316.

Why: Has a solid track record of production over four seasons in the SEC and shined as a senior with 10 tackles for loss and 5½ sacks. Has a strong motor, a thick build and great football character. Lacks the length to be dangerous in the pass rush and could easily become a liability there if offensive linemen get their hands on his chest.

Contact Carlos Monarrez at cmonarrez@freepress.com or follow him on Twitter @cmonarrez.