NFL Draft weekend is finally here. The first round of the draft starts at 8 p.m. on Thursday.

Here’s a round-up of pre-draft stories on the Detroit Lions from this week:

1. My top five draft prospects for the Lions with the 23rd overall pick.
   
   
2. A look at why the first round is so important.
   
   
3. The Lions’ biggest needs on defense and which prospects could be available to help.
   
   
4. The Lions’ biggest needs on offense and which prospects could be available to help.
   
   
5. Running back Tyler Varga, an interesting character, could be a good late-round pick.
   
   
6. Basic information for the draft including times and TV information.
   
   
7. A look at the experts’ mock drafts and who they have the Lions drafting in first round.
   
   
   (Follow @PaulaPasche on Twitter. Pre-order her new book “Game of My Life Detroit Lions” which will be be published in October on Amazon.com. Also order her book,  “100 Things Lions Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die’’ here.)