The Lions entered the 2008 NFL Draft looking to improve several vital areas including LB, RB, offensive line, defensive line. After the draft, they can be proud of what they accomplished, considering the players they coveted in the first round were taken prior to their selection.
The Lions started off the draft at #15, and coveted defensive players LB Jerod Mayo from Tennessee, followed closely by DE Derrick Harvey from Florida. When Jacksonville moved up to #8 to select Harvey and the New England Patriots selected Mayo at #10, the war room in Detroit was not happy.
There was speculation that perhaps Jonathan Stewart would be the third choice for the Lions, however Carolina selected him at #13. The Lions decided to move down and select an offensive tackle, Gosder Cherilus from Boston College. He fills an immediate need for the Lions at right tackle. He’s expected to move into the starting right tackle job for the Lions by the start of the regular season. Cherilus is a better run blocker than pass protector, but still has the skill to handle the left side in the pros — although he’s not expected to challenge Jeff Backus for that spot.
For the Lions next pick in the second round, they filled another need by selecting undersized linebacker Jordon Dizon from Colorado. Dizon doesn’t have great size, but he’s expected to move into the starting middle linebacker spot as soon as he gets comfortable with the Tampa Two defense. He does possess great instincts and good speed. The Lions will keep Paris Lenon as the starter going into camp, but Lenon will move to the strong side as soon as Dizon is ready to take over.
In the third round, the Lions ended up with three picks, the first of which was RB Kevin Smith from Central Florida. The Lions can only hope Smith comes as close to Barry Sanders as he did in college. In the final game of his collegiate career, Smith needed 181 yards to pass Sanders’ single-season rushing total of 2,628 yards. Smith fell 62 yards short, but established himself as a durable and productive player. The one record Smith did set was for most carries in a season with 450 — topping the old record of 405 by USC’s Marcus Allen in 1981. The Lions traded their sixth-round draft pick to move up two spots in the third round to get Smith.
Next up, the Lions selected Andre Fluellen, DT from Florida State. Despite being a pre-season All-American, a left elbow injury limited his playing time last year as he started only five games but Lions defensive coordinator Joe Barry said he has a clean bill of health now. Fluellen will come in and provide depth at the tackle position and will play both the under and nose tackle spots. It’s unlikely that Fluellen will win a starting job but he’s expected to get a lot of playing time in the rotation.
With the third of their third round picks, the Lions selected Cliff Avril, DE from Purdue. Some teams had Avril scouted as a strong side linebacker but the Lions will use him as a defensive end, almost exclusively in pass-rushing situations. Avril could see some playing time early because he’s accustomed to rushing the quarterback off the left side, the area where the Lions are going to need more pressure (veteran Dwayne White will be playing right defensive end this season).
The Lions had two picks in the fifth round and took two offensive players. First off, they selected Kenneth Moore, WR from Wake Forest. Moore was drafted more for his punt return skills than his ability as a receiver and the former running back could add more versatility to the offense. Moore will compete for the No. 5 receiver position and will have to win it on special teams, not just as a returner, but in covering kicks as well.
Along with Moore, the Lions selected FB Jerome Felton from Furman. The Lions aren’t only looking at him as a blocking fullback, but — with the free agent loss of T.J. Duckett — as a short yardage and goal-line running specialist. Because of his dual role, Felton might not have to knock FB Jon Bradley out of a job to win a roster spot.
With no picks in the sixth round, the Lions rounded out the draft with two picks in the seventh round. The Lions get another potential player for the defensive line in DT Landon Cohen from Ohio. He doesn’t have great size, but he’s quick off the ball and the kind of aggressive player the Lions are looking for in the Tampa Two scheme. However, because of the four veterans — and the rookie third-round pick — who are ahead of him, Cohen will be a longshot to make the roster.
Finally, the Lions selected safety Caleb Campbell from Army with their final selection. He played safety in college but because of his size, the Lions will try him at strongside linebacker to begin with. He might also get some work at nickelback. To make the roster, Campbell likely will have to make a huge impression on special teams.
Overall Draft Grade: C+
Obviously, this draft grade is subject to change. I like the positions the Lions drafted for with their first five picks. The question now becomes are those players selected the right guys. Based on Matt Millen’s past draft record, confidence is low for Lions fans. However, hopefully Rod Marinelli’s influence in selecting players who love the game and tend to overachieve while producing in college will extend to these players and their performance as members of the Detroit Lions.
I do like the chances Cherilus, Dizon, Smith and Fluellen can contribute right away. I am skeptical of Cliff Avril as an undersized DE who would be more fitting in a 3-4 as an OLB. As well, I would have preferred seeing Detroit take another offensive linemen late in the draft instead of the DT Cohen who likely doesn’t have a strong chance of sticking to the roster. For example, Kirk Barton out of Ohio State, was selected after Cohen and could be a reliable backup to multiple positions on the offensive line. Only time will tell whether Millen & Co. were able to make the right call.
