Editor's note: This is the first in a three-part series examining the Lions' options by round. Today are first-rounders. Tuesday are second-rounders.

ALLEN PARK -- Jacksonville surprised everyone by taking a quarterback with the third overall pick in last year's draft. Then Buffalo pulled off a shocking trade to grab Sammy Watkins at fourth overall.

Then Cleveland, which originally held that pick, traded back into the top 10 to select Justin Gilbert at eighth overall.

Every draft is full of surprises, but that one was particularly unpredictable ahead of the Lions' 10th overall pick.

"That was one of the most unpredictable first 10 picks in a long time," Lions general manager Martin Mayhew said last week.

[Related: Assessing all the Lions' needs in the draft]

And this year, their pick figures to be even more unpredictable when the first round gets underway Thursday in Chicago. At 23rd overall, Detroit sits more than twice as far back as last year.

"In the first 10, you can figure out really 10 quality players that you think will be taken," Mayhew said. "At 23, we start to stretch it a little bit. It's hard to figure out who's going to be there at 23. So, as I said, I think you have to prepare for every situation."

Detroit no doubt has its preferences on how this thing plays out, but it also has no choice but to kind of play the board as well. And there's no telling who could fall to them. This draft features a lot of parity outside of the top five picks, and doesn't offer a lot of clarity in the back end.

In other words: The pool of possible first-round picks for the Lions is as large as it has been in years. Here's a look at 10 possibilities, in alphabetical order.

MALCOM BROWN

Position: Defensive tackle

School: Texas

Measureables: 6-foot-2, 319 pounds

Why he makes sense: He's married with two kids, which fits right into the Martin Mayhew prototype. (Detroit's first three picks last year were all engaged or married.) OK, he can play some football as well. He is an excellent run-stuffer who contributed 6.5 sacks last season. With Leonard Williams and Danny Shelton unlikely to be available at 23, Brown could be Detroit's best offering at defensive tackle. And Detroit needs another body at that position. This is a big one.

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LA'EL COLLINS

Position: Offensive tackle

School: LSU

Measureables: 6-foot-4, 305 pounds

Why he makes sense: Collins would be a dream scenario if he falls to 23rd. He has an SEC pedigree, and was the league's offensive lineman of the year in 2014. He has starting experience at guard, where Detroit has immediate and considerable needs. And he has started at tackle. Mayhew says he'll prioritize versatility in offensive linemen, because the situation up front is so fluid, and there might not be a better inside-outside option than this guy. (Non-Brandon Scherff division.)

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MARIO EDWARDS

Position: DE/DT

School: Florida State

Measureables: 6-foot-3, 279 pounds

Why he makes sense: Eddie Goldman receives all the first-round love from Florida State's defensive line, but this guy is earning some buzz for possibly having a higher ceiling. Could swing inside or outside, depending on his team's needs, and for the Lions that likely would mean inside. Was rated the nation's No. 1 prospect coming out of high school, and was the only true freshman to start on Florida State's defense in 2012. Named third-team all-ACC during national championship season in 2013, and was first team during a dominant 2014 season. His biggest criticism is his production hasn't really matched his physical talent, which is a trait that could scare away defensive coordinator Teryl Austin.

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CAMERON ERVING

Position: Center/guard

School: Florida State

Measureables:

Why he makes sense: Considered by some to be the second-best interior offensive lineman in the draft, trailing only Scherff. The question is whether teams project him as a guard/center combo, or exclusively a center. Could be gone by 23 if a team sees him playing guard too. Erving reminds a lot of Zack Martin, the former Notre Dame tackle who became an All-Pro guard as a rookie in Dallas. Erving also began his career at tackle -- and in fact, was named All-ACC at both tackle and center last season.

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ERECK FLOWERS

Position: Offensive tackle

School: Miami (Fla.)

Measureables: 6-foot-6, 329 pounds

Why he makes sense: Like Collins, he's a tackle who could move inside to guard. And like Collins, that would fill both the Lions' short-term needs and long-term considerations. Does have some red flags though, including undergoing a knee surgery in the middle of last season (missing one game) and directing an obscene gesture toward fans after a kerfuffle against Nebraska.

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EDDIE GOLDMAN

Position: Defensive tackle

School: Florida State

Measureables: 6-foot-2, 334 pounds

Why he makes sense: Goldman is a big-time run stuffer who could form an intriguing 1-2 punch with Haloti Ngata. The knock on him is he disappears too often, especially in the pass rush. He had six sacks the last two seasons combined.

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TODD GURLEY

Position: Running back

School: Georgia

Measureables: 6-feet, 222 pounds

Why he makes sense: He's widely expected to break the first-round running back drought, and with good reason. He's the best tailback prospect in years. He once represented the U.S. in France on the U-19 hurdle team. Now he weighs 222 pounds, and is a home run waiting to happen anywhere on the field. I personally don't think Detroit uses its pick on a running back -- but an exception would have to be made if this guy fell. Detroit has bigger needs, sure, but the word everyone uses with Gurley is "difference maker." The Lions could really use one of those on offense, and particularly in the backfield. He did tear his ACL in mid-November, and could miss the start of the season.

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D.J. HUMPHRIES

Position: Offensive tackle

School: Florida

Measureables: 6-foot-5, 307 pounds

Why he makes sense: Viewed by some analysts, including NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah, as the best offensive tackle in this year's draft. Long arms, big hands, nasty streak. Durability is a major concern, after missing seven games with an MCL injury in 2013 and another third of the Gators' offensive snaps with ankle issues in 2014.

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KEVIN JOHNSON

Position: Cornerback

School: Wake Forest

Measureables:

Why he makes sense: He's a Martin Mayhew kind of guy. Mike Mayock calls him one of the cleanest cornerbacks in the draft, along with Michigan State's Trae Waynes. Stood just 5-foot and 96 pounds as a high school freshman, but grew to be 6-foot and 188 pounds at Wake. He was a four-year starter who never missed a game to injury. Ran the 40-yard dash in 4.52 seconds. Would fill the Lions' immediate depth concerns at cornerback, plus has the length and speed to replace Rashean Mathis in the starting lineup down the road.

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ANDRUS PEAT

Position: Offensive tackle

School: Stanford

Measureables: 6-foot-7, 313 pounds

Why he makes sense: He has the versatility to play right tackle, but his long arms and gifted feet -- some of the best feet at the position in this draft -- make him one of the better left tackle prospects. His technique will require some work before he's ready to protect anyone's blind side. Detroit has major needs on the offensive line, and Peat is one of the best options out there ... if he falls to 23rd. And that's a big if.

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Bonus 11th option: If Washington defensive tackle Danny Shelton drops to around 20, don't be shocked if the Lions make a move to land him. They love this guy, and he would help fortify a position that is undergoing a major facelift.

Note: I'll reveal my pick when Justin Rogers and I release our first-round mock drafts on Thursday morning.

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