This weekend was draft weekend for the NFL draft. A time of the year when a team’s faithful fans anxiously awaiting the coming of their team’s savior. This year was no different for us Detroit Lions fans. Heading into the draft we had many needs to fill in order to improve on last years season. So, how do I think my beloved Lions did in this years draft? Lets get to the details.
During the course of this off season, I have said the primary needs (in no particular order) of the Lions were: running back, offensive line, defensive line, linebacker and cornerback. A lot of other Lions fans and “expert” sites don’t include cornerback in their list. They feel the Lions did a good job of improving this offseason with free agents. Personally, I don’t think see. I have a hard time seeing the likes of Fisher and Smith shutting down anyone, but that’s a different topic.
The Lions made no secret of lusting after Derrick Harvey and Jerod Mayo, but there was no way they were going to drop to us at 15. I really like that the Lions held back and didn’t try to move up to grab one of them. While either would have been a great addition, we had too many needs to mortgage the draft to get one of them.
When the Lions were on the clock and word came through that a trade had been made, I was very happy. Moving up in the third and getting a fifth was an excellent deal and there was still plenty of talent remaining. When we came up at 17, I was actually hoping we might move back a couple of more slots, but the Lions wasted no time in drafting OT Gosder Cherilus from Boston College. Nice move - that kid can play some ball. Some think it was a reach to grab him in the first round, but Coach Rod is clearly high on him. I still think we could have moved down a bit more in the first and still got him. Gosder should fill that gaping hole in the right side of the line nicely. While not a shock and awe pick, I would rate it as a B.
A lot of folks thought the Lions first pick, especially if Harvey and Mayo were gone, would be a running back, likely Rashard Mendenhall. It wasn’t going to happen. The Lions, like many other teams, have learned that picking an elite back and paying 1st round money to him, is no guarantee of success. I figured the Lions would get there back with the second round pick.
I was surprised when they grabbed LB Jordon Dizon from Colorado. We need a strong linebacker to compliment Ernie Sims, but I was thinking running back. Dizon is a solid player who was runnerup this past season for the Butkus trophy given to the top college linebacker. If it hadn’t been for a blown knee a couple of years ago, he may have actually gone in the first round. Another nice value pick. My grade of B only because if this kid stays healthy, he could attract a lot of attention and free up Ernie Sims from all the double teams. Only time will tell if a safer pick at LB would have been Dan Conner.
So, day one, a couple of surprises, but still a pretty nice draft for the Lions in my opinion - certainly better than we have done in past years.
The Lions started day two and the third round with a bang, pulling the trigger on a trade with Miami to get the first pick of the round. The Lions still desperately needed to grab a running back and their was a name still on the board that they liked. And the odds were very good that the Panthers with the third pick of the round were going to take him. So, the Lions made the move and drafted RB Kevin Smith out of Central Florida.
Okay, let all the jokes about the Lions drafting common names or Kevins for running back, but this kid looks pretty impressive on film. He was the nations leading rusher and actually challenged Barry Sanders single season rushing mark. The knocks on Kevin are mainly about his size and ability to play at the speed of the NFL game. This kid actually thought he should be a first round pick and was rather upset when experts talked about him sliding to the second round. He is going to want to prove the doubters wrong come this season. A tandem of Bell and Smith may work nicely for the Lions.
Given that the brass decided they were getting an OT and LB with the first two picks, I have to applaud this decision and the trade in the third round. Smith may never win a rushing title in the NFL, but not many 3rd round backs do. I give this pick another B mainly cause I am still not sure I wouldn’t have grabbed the RB before the LB.
The Lions also realized that the quality, potential starting, defensive lineman were disappearing off the board fast. They pulled another trade to move back into the third round and drafted DT Andre Fluellen from Florida State. This kid is quick but lacks the size to hold up against the really big offensive lineman. A three year starter as Florida State, he fits the mold of a Coach Rod defensive lineman. Several sites were projecting him in the 5th or 6th round, so it may be a bit of reach for the Lions to grab him in the 3rd, but defensive lineman seemed to go faster than most predicted. It will be interesting to see over time if Marcus Harrison would have been a better pick, but again, this kid is a prototype Marinelli player. We just have to see if Coach Rod can get it out of him. My grade on this pick, C+ as I like recognizing a needed position was running short on players, but we are paying third round cash for a player that probably should have gone lower.
The Lions also used the 3rd round to grab DE Cliff Avril out of Purdue. Avril was one of the top pass rushers available in the draft and is exactly what the Lions were looking for at DE. He was projected to go in the 2nd round, so I think the Lions got a steal here. He may not be an every down player, but his impact on passing situations will certainly be felt. I like this move and give the Lions an A- for moving to secure a player they wanted and were surprised to see available late in the third round.
In the fifth round, the Lions selected two players. The first was WR Kenneth Moore from Wake Forest. It looks like the Lions are hoping he can upgrade our kick and punt teams this year. The second fifth round pick was FB Jerome Felton from Furman. He will be given every shot to win the FB slot from Bradley this year. In the fifth, we addressed two of the more subtle, but still important positions. Hopefully, both work out nicely and make the team.
The Lions also had two picks in the 7th round and selected DT Landon Cohen from Miami, OH and S Caleb Campbell from Army. The pick of Campbell was met with cheers from everyone in attendance at the draft. By being drafted and assuming he wins a roster spot, Campbell will avoid a tour of duty in Iraq due to new Army rules that allow players to play professionally and still complete their Army obligations. Coach Rod is hoping to Campbell at linebacker vs the safety position he played in college.
As expected, but still a mistake in my opinion, the Lions completed avoided drafting any cornerbacks. I believe the Lions are satisfied with their free agency acquisitions at that position. I have serious doubts that our cornerbacks will be any better than before. I wish we had drafted a cornerback somewhere in this draft. That said, I am not sure I would have picked one before the first four picks that were made. Those positions clearly needed upgrading. We reached a bit Fluellen and if we were willing to trade back into the 3rd, the kid from Eastern Kentucky, Antwaun Molden was still available at corner a few slots earlier. I wonder what it would have taken to move up and get him.
Overall, the Lions had a pretty good draft. For the most part, I think they new what their needs were and attempted to address them. They traded pretty smartly to get the guys they wanted without giving up the farm. It will be an interesting couple of years to see if any of these kids develop into stars.
Overall I give the Lions a grade of B-.
Join the forum discussion 
on this post - (1) Posts
Loading ...
