Hello everybody. I'm here to discuss the Detroit Lions and the NFL draft. In recent history the Lions have a miserable draft record... and that is putting it kindly. Under former GM Matt Millen, a series of disastrous picks and free agent signings doomed the Lions. The downward spiral culminated two years ago in the now infamous 0-16 season. Since it is mathematically impossible to get worse than 0-16, the Lions had only one direction to go. After a 2-14 season last year the Lions appear to be breathing again at the very least. Lets take a quick look back at the Matt Millen era before moving on to this month's draft.Millen was the GM from 2001 to 2008. Eight catastrophic seasons during which the Lions assembled a jaw dropping record of 31 wins and 97 losses. Of the 45 draft picks the Lions made from '01-'06, three of them are currently on the active roster. Some of those noticeably absent include such high picks like Charles Rogers (who appears to be in trouble again), Mike Williams, and Joey Harrington. In 2005 alone, a mere five years ago, the Lions had six picks in the draft. Two of those players are now on other teams, and four of the Lions' selections in that draft are no longer in the league. That includes the Lions' first round pick and the 10th overall selection, WR Mike Williams, who was drafted ahead of such NFL mainstays as Demarcus Ware, Shawne Merriman, and Aaron Rodgers. Other wide receivers selected after Williams include Mark Clayton, Roddy White, and Vincent Jackson. In other words, poor choices were made.
In 2009 things seemed to start to turn around for the Lions (as much as a 2-14 season can be a turnaround). New GM Martin Mayhew used the first overall pick in the draft to net the Lions a gutty and talented franchise QB in Matt Stafford. The rest of the draft also provided players like safety Louis Delmas, who started for much of last year and will be expected to contribute again in 2010. Now with seven picks, including the #2 overall, the Lions are looking to improve through the draft.
The Lions have been fairly busy during the offseason, acquiring Kyle Vanden Bosch, Nate Burleson, Shaun Hill, OL Rob Sims and others. The Lions are essentially set at QB, TE, and WR, but just about everything else is a need. With the Saint Louis Rams all but locked in to QB Sam Bradford with the first overall pick, most are projecting the Lions will draft Ndamukong Suh, the DT out of Nebraska. Suh is widely considered the best player in the draft and fills a pressing need for the Lions. This seems like a slam dunk right? Well, not quite.
There are several rumors coming out of Lions central about a possible trade with the Washington Redskins for their leviathan of a DT Albert Haynesworth. This is attractive for a few reasons. First of all Haynesworth used to play for current Lions coach Jim Scwartz when they were with the Tennessee Titans. The trade for Haynesworth would allow the Lions to trade down a few picks so some other team could climb into a position to take Suh, or Notre Dame QB Jimmy Clausen. Not only would the trade down provide the Lions with a few more picks at their disposal, but ideally, it would allow them to take the #2 guy on the board for them, OL Russell Okung out of Oklahoma State. This would be quite a coup for the Lions to snag not only the highest rated offensive line prospect in the draft, but also get one of the top players in the NFL at the defensive tackle position. It will also be difficult to pull off.
Another thing to watch for later round picks is the secondary. The Lions have been mentioned as being interested in the talented but troubled defensive back Adam 'Pacman' Jones. If the Lions grab a few secondary players with their later picks, it could mean their interest has waned. They have already added former Carolina Panthers CB Dante Wesley through free agency.
It will be interesting to see how the next month shakes out personnel wise. But finally, after almost a decade of hand wringing, I can say that the Detroit Lions are moving on up.
In 2009 things seemed to start to turn around for the Lions (as much as a 2-14 season can be a turnaround). New GM Martin Mayhew used the first overall pick in the draft to net the Lions a gutty and talented franchise QB in Matt Stafford. The rest of the draft also provided players like safety Louis Delmas, who started for much of last year and will be expected to contribute again in 2010. Now with seven picks, including the #2 overall, the Lions are looking to improve through the draft.
The Lions have been fairly busy during the offseason, acquiring Kyle Vanden Bosch, Nate Burleson, Shaun Hill, OL Rob Sims and others. The Lions are essentially set at QB, TE, and WR, but just about everything else is a need. With the Saint Louis Rams all but locked in to QB Sam Bradford with the first overall pick, most are projecting the Lions will draft Ndamukong Suh, the DT out of Nebraska. Suh is widely considered the best player in the draft and fills a pressing need for the Lions. This seems like a slam dunk right? Well, not quite.There are several rumors coming out of Lions central about a possible trade with the Washington Redskins for their leviathan of a DT Albert Haynesworth. This is attractive for a few reasons. First of all Haynesworth used to play for current Lions coach Jim Scwartz when they were with the Tennessee Titans. The trade for Haynesworth would allow the Lions to trade down a few picks so some other team could climb into a position to take Suh, or Notre Dame QB Jimmy Clausen. Not only would the trade down provide the Lions with a few more picks at their disposal, but ideally, it would allow them to take the #2 guy on the board for them, OL Russell Okung out of Oklahoma State. This would be quite a coup for the Lions to snag not only the highest rated offensive line prospect in the draft, but also get one of the top players in the NFL at the defensive tackle position. It will also be difficult to pull off.
Another thing to watch for later round picks is the secondary. The Lions have been mentioned as being interested in the talented but troubled defensive back Adam 'Pacman' Jones. If the Lions grab a few secondary players with their later picks, it could mean their interest has waned. They have already added former Carolina Panthers CB Dante Wesley through free agency.
It will be interesting to see how the next month shakes out personnel wise. But finally, after almost a decade of hand wringing, I can say that the Detroit Lions are moving on up.
Hey Adam, great article and welcome to the Goal Posters! If the lions somehow end up w Okung AND Haynseworth I think I will be speechless... I thought us simply picking Suh would make my day.
ReplyDeleteeither of those options are great with me, but I have a nagging feeling that the Lions will somehow screw it up. Regardless, I am cautiously excited for next years team.
ReplyDeletei have a feeling we will too... ive always wondered when the lions would be late for their selection and forfeit the pick... maybe this is the year. cheeeeeeese doodles
ReplyDeleteWell the problem is trading down the right distance. Assuming we trade for Haynesworth, then we should get out of the 2 hole because people will want Suh. Ideally we would swap with Tampa Bay at the 3 spot, but with Gerald McCoy still on the board, they will probably be happy to wait and take whatever is there at number 3. At #4 is Washington, so unless we somehow package the #2 pick for the #4 pick as part of the deal for Haynesworth, that could be tricky to pull off, and it could limit the value of trading down. But if we drop any farther than that, we are risking not being there when Okung goes. It will be tricky, and if we aren't getting Suh, we should really get Okung. After Okung, the next three are all good, but a step below, and taking any of them before 8th or 9th sounds like its a bit high.
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