The Detroit Lions have been extremely active in the free agent and trade market, appearing to have addressed to a certain extent, their most significant weakness, its secondary.  However, free agency is rarely a long term solution in the National Football League.  To succeed over the long haul, you need to draft well.  Unfortunately for Lions fans, this is something GM Matt Millen has failed to do considering his large number of busts.   Of his 56 draft picks, a startling 28 of them are no longer in the NFL.

This offseason, the Lions have shored up their secondary by acquiring CB Leigh Bodden via the Shaun Rogers trade, along with free agent pickups CB Brian Kelly and safeties Dwight Smith and Kalvin Pearson.  However, there remain lingering questions at several positions which desperately need to be addressed by Millen & Co.

I’ll commence my Lions draft coverage by highlighting the positions where they are most vulnerable and the players they might consider taking at the 15th spot in the first round. 

Offensive Line:  With the departure of Damian Woody to the Jets, the Lions re-signed right tackle George Foster in the hopes he can prosper under Jim Colletto and the new offensive staff.  Regardless, with a new emphasis on running the football thanks to the departure of Mike Martz, it is IMPERATIVE that Millen upgrades the offensive line.  Rumours are circulating the Lions love Chris Williams from Vanderbilt.

Possible Draft Choices  Ryan Clady (Boise State), Chris Williams (Vanderbilt), Jeff Otah (Pittsburgh)

Defensive End:  The fact that the Lions have a horrible pass rush is no secret.  They finally ended the Kalimba Edwards experiment by releasing him this past month.  In my opinion, all of the Lions draft choices this year should be on the defensive side of the ball, with the possible exception of offensive linemen.  Dewayne White showed good potential last season prior to getting hurt during the second half of the season.  Last year’s second round pick Ikaika Alama-Francis will be afforded every opportunity to earn extra playing time.  There are several talented DE’s in this draft and the Lions may look that way with their first pick. 

Possible Draft Choices Derrick Harvey (Florida), Calais Campbell (Miami), Phillip Merling (Clemson)

Linebacker:  The Lions suggested last season they didn’t need help at this position with the pending return of Teddy Lehman to the lineup.  Needless to say, that didn’t work out.  Both he and Boss Bailey have been cleaned out.  Despite Marinelli’s preference to obtain a veteran to fill the role at middle linebacker (they pushed hard to obtain Jonathan Vilma who ended up in New Orleans), the Lions may wait until a later round (2nd or 3rd) to pursue a middlie linebacker such as Oklahoma’s Curtis Lofton.  Although speculation the Lions might tab an outside linebacker to compliment Ernie Sims with their first pick, the likelihood is they will attempt to fill a greater need. 

Possible Draft Choices Keith Rivers (USC),  Jerod Mayo (Tennessee)

Cornerback:  Prior to all of the movement which added Bodden and Kelly, this was without question the Lions biggest area of need.  With the addition of these two solid veterans, it may not be as large a concern, but you can never have enough talented corners.  The Lions could certainly add some youth to the position.  My expectation is they will look to draft a corner in a later round such as Patrick Lee (Auburn) or Justin King (Penn State).  That being said, I wouldn’t be shocked or upset if they went with a corner in Round 1.

Possible Draft Choices: Mike Jenkins (South Florida), Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (Tennessee State), Aqib Talib (Kansas)

Running Back:  With the departure of T.J. Duckett (signed with Seattle) and the release of Kevin Jones due to injury concerns, the Lions are left with Tatum Bell carrying the rock.  After finding his way into the doghouse of Mike Martz, Marinelli has pledged his allegiance to Bell in stating he believes Tatum can carry the load for the Lions under the new simplified scheme of Colletto.  Whether or not Bell carries the load will likely depend on what the Lions do on draft day.  My hope is the Lions don’t go with a RB in the first round and look for a back in a later round to compliment Bell such as Chris Johnson (East Carolina) or Kevin Smith (Central Florida).  However, the likelihood is that Millen will want to make a splash and draft one of the first round talents.  They are said to be enamored by Rashard Mendenhall from Illinois.  My hope is that one of these guys slide into the 2nd round allowing Millen the chance to snag some value.

Possible draft choices:  Rashard Mendenhall (Illinois), Felix Jones (Arkansas), Jonathan Stewart (Oregon)

When it is all said and done, let’s just hope the Lions don’t take a WR with their first round pick.   

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Last post (s) by Mark Spizzirri

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