Written by Tiger Hebert
The playoffs have raced past us and the Baltimore Ravens are the newly crowned champions. The Super Bowl itself was a game that I really appreciated, because it was a game of two tough and physical teams fighting it out for the ultimate goal. Now everyone understands that these were not the 2000-2001 Ravens, but they are still a physical in your face team. I know that it is the offense that carries them and not the defense anymore, but this is still a blue collar team. The 49ers on the other hand are just short of a punch in the mouth.
I understand fully that the NFL has evolved into more of a passing league, but the reality is that to be consistently relevant in the NFL you must invest into your offensive and defensive lines. Everyone knows the Lions' secondary has been awful, that the receiving corp is a joke, and the running game is abysmal but there are two things that can make all of those other areas better. The offensive and defensive lines. If the Lions want to be a legitimate team who is in contention year after year, they need to build a solid foundation.
The Lions started building what was supposed to be a fear evoking front four when they signed Kyle Vanden Bosch and traded for Corey Williams. Then they drafted Ndamukong Suh, and lined up him next to rising star Cliff Avril. The following year they added luxury pick Nick Fairley. and opposing offenses were supposed to waive their white flags in fear of the
Silver Crush.
Now just to be clear, I am not criticizing the strategy at all. In fact, I like the approach. I just don't like the execution of the plan. Fortunately, the team will not be saddled with KVBs contract anymore now that he was let go, but Suh's contract is like a millstone around the teams proverbial neck. Unless he restructures his contract, he will be counting just over $18 million against the cap in 2013 and 2014, over 15% of the teams cap space for just one player. Now I understand that there was not much that they could do, because this is an old-CBA rookie deal which grossly overpays young players, but the impact goes beyond that. The following year, the team used the 13th overall selection to draft Nick Fairley. I was more than skeptical about the drafting of Fairley because of the character concerns, especially when the team had many more far pressing needs throughout the roster. Instead they grabbed a backup defensive tackle. Now Nick has actually been quite impressive showing flashes of brilliance, but unfortunately up to this point, they have only been flashes.
On the offensive side of the ball, it has been eve worse. The team did make a great move to acquire Rob Sims when he was let go from Seattle a few years back, but that was the only impressive move prior to the drafting of Riley Reiff. Instead of making a big splash, they opted to draft project players like Jason Fox, who may or may not ever become a starting caliber player. The team did work the waiver wire to snag players with a high ceiling like Bill Nagy, but again the team still doesn't know what they have with that acquisition. So in 2012, they trotted out the same five starters across the offensive line, with Backus and Sims being the teams top talent. Unfortunately this left the oft over-matched Dominic Raiola and Stephen Peterman to handle the business at center and right guard. Statistically speaking, this group looks good on paper, allowing so few sacks despite the record setting number of pass attempts that were made in 2012, but make no mistake this group is a liability. Matthew Stafford has developed happy feet and his pocket presence has actually gotten over the last season, and is is because he doesn't trust the guys that are paid to protect him.
The running game is an even bigger mess. If you watched any film of the Lions running game, you know that Mikel LeShoure left tons of yardage on the field this season. There were several occasions where the offensive line created massive lanes, sealing on the second and sometimes event he third level, but he was unable to make the plays for a variety of reasons, leaving chunk plays un-made. These were the plays that Joique Bell regularly seemed to make. Those running lanes were not the norm though, and they were typically when the Lions were running from a passing set, where the defense gave them an incredibly favorable box. What I mean, is that those were the plays that the team has to make, and has to make them regularly. The Lions run blocking was actually quite miserable the majority of the time if the opposing defense even had just seven defenders in the box. This is not acceptable, and it must be corrected.
At this point in the offseason, the Lions made made a few things clear about their roster for 2013. First off, they acknowledged that this team's talent is not as good as their playoff run in 2011 led most of us to believe. The team simply does not have enough impact players, and too many mediocre talents. Martin Mayhew has pointed to the fact that the team has not made enough game changing plays offensively or defensively, and that this needs to change. This tells us a few things about the Lions talent acquisition strategy at this point. We should expect that the Lions will focus on speed at running back to fill the void left by Jahvid Best, and that on defense they will focus on pass rushers and ball-hawks.
This does not mean that they won't draft players outside of these positions, but rather when evaluating players, which ones will be more sought after. This is where a Florida's Mike Gillislee could be rated higher than an equally talented Eddie Lacy, or where Ezekiel Ansah could be favored over a more polished product like Bjoern Werner. This is also a reason why the team could elect to take a mid-to-late round flier on the player formerly known as "The Honey Badger", Tyrann Mathieu.
So without further ado, let's take a look at some of the positions that the Lions are likely to draft, and which players would fit this strategy in terms of value and draft position.
Offense Running BackMike Gillislee - FloridaThere is probably no running back in this class that intrigues me more than Gillislee. His frame is 5'11 and 209 pounds which is a very good build for a speed back in the NFL, which Gillislee clearly is as we will see soon with a potentially sub 4.4 forty time. In addition to being a home run threat, he runs with more power than you would expect, and he is solid in pass protection.
Kenjon Barner - OregonI did not get to see Oregon play this year, so I was excited to see Barner the "Burner" at the Senior Bowl. He got a lot of playing time, but I did not get a great feel for him. It seems that every couple of plays the quarterbacks were dumping off a check down to him, but he did flash the play making ability that was common-place in Chip Kelly's high octane offense. Other than having a reliable set of hands, the jury is still out on Barner.
Andre Ellington - ClemsonAndre Ellington certainly didn't make any Tigers' fans forget about CJ Spiller, but he did prove to be a dangerous weapon in the Clemson offense. Ellington is an undersized at 5'10 190 pounds, but has show the ability as both and inside and outside runner. We will have to wait for the combine to see, but most say that Ellington is quicker than he is fast, but he still figures to be a big play threat.
Christine Michael - Texas A&MI think Michael is a player that is a little bit under the radar at the moment because of the attention that Johnny Manziel and Ben Malena garnered, but I feel that he is better than a lot of people realize. At 215 pounds Michael has a sturdy frame that should be able to deliver power and handle the rigors of the NFL. I also think he will open some eyes with better than expected speed and quickness when he performs at the scouting combine. I think he would be a good change of pace for the LeShoure/Bell combo the Lions have.
ReceiversTavon Austin - WVUJust to be clear, I don't think the Lions have a realistic shot at landing Tavon Austin, nor should they spend the picks that it would cost to move up and grab him. However, if she slides at all, he would be a amazing addition to the Lions offense. Austin is a little guy at 5'9 176, but he is lightning in a bottle. Some scouts have said that he is the most dangerous offensive player in this draft and the best open field runner out there. He has great vision and instincts to go with his blazing speed. Despite being listed as a receiver, he would fit a Jahvid Best/Darren Sproles type of role very well for the Lions.
Stedman Bailey - WVUStedman Bailey does not receive the recognition of his former WVU teammate, but he is an impressive playmaker. While he is slightly bigger than Austin, at 5'10 193, he also has electrifying speed as well making him a big play waiting to happen. He will be a productive slot receiver in the NFL, regardless of where he ends up.
Markus Wheaton - Oregon StateMarkus Wheaton may not be a big name, but the senior is a one to keep an eye on. The former Beaver has good height at 6'1, and has deceptive speed, and his production this season matched where he had 91 catches for over 1,200 yards and 11 scores. Despite the changes at quarterback, Wheaton continued to produce and will be a quality middle round pick.
Offensive LineBarrett Jones - AlabamaThe current think is that there are three elite offensive line prospects. Luke Joeckel, Eric Fisher, and Chance Warmack. With that being said, they may not be a more valuable offensive lineman in the draft than Barrett Jones. Jones has great size for a center at 6'5 311 pounds and he has the intelligence to handle all the mental aspects of making the line calls. More importantly though, Jones has displayed as much versatility as you could while at Alabama. He has showed the athleticism to play left tackle, the power to play guard, and the brains to play center. If Jones does in-fact slide to the Lions in the second round, as many project he will, they almost have to take this future All-Pro lineman.
DJ Fluker - AlabamaContinuing with the National Champion Crimson Tide, the next player is the massive DJ Fluker. At 6'4 355 pounds, Fluker may not have the athleticism to handle the premiere right defensive ends in the NFL, but he grades out to be a dominant force at right tackle. His size and strength appear to be a great combination and would fit that position well. If Fluker is available in the 3rd round, the Lions could find an immediate replacement for Gosder Cherilus who is currently an unrestricted free agent.
Manelik Watson - Florida State Watson is raw product, who has only been playing organized football for a few years after coming to the states from Manchester, England. Originally he hoped to use his 6'6 frame to play basketball, but they quickly found a better use of his rare combination of size and athleticism in Tallahassee. Now at 320 pounds this physical specimen has flashed the ability to dominate in the run game, and flashes the ability to handle pass rushers at the next level as well. Watson would likely be a project player and would be best suited to right tackle initially, but does have the talent to play on the left side when he is developed.
Kyle Long - OregonBecause I haven't seen much of Long's play, it is hard for me to know what to think of him. His namesake alone gives him notoriety, but apparently he is more than just riding on the coat tails of his family. WalterFootball.com has said that he performed well this year for the Ducks, particularly in the running game, and during talks throughout the Senior Bowl, it was said repeatedly that despite being raw, that they saw something special in him. Unfortunately, he may be overdrafted because of his lineage, but if he is a mid-late round selection, he could be a great developmental selection.
DefenseDefensive EndEzekiel Ansah - BYUThe projections for where "Ziggy" should and will go are all over the place, and for good reason. Ansah has been rocketing through the ranks of draftable players since early in the season, and that will only continue as we pass through combine season, where he is expected to wow. With only one season as a starter for the Cougars, there is little film to go on with Ansah, but his natural ability is undeniable. I wish that I could have watched his practices at the Senior Bowl, but unfortunately I only saw the game. However, he did not disappoint when facing the stiff competition that they presented. There were a few things that were most impressive about his play. The first is that this dude is fast. Watching him string out a reverse to Tavon Austin in the open field was eye opening. The second was that he was a smart and instinctive playmaker. He naturally got up into passing lanes when he didn't reach the quarterback and he also made an excellent play stripping the ball away from the quarterback, forcing a fumble. He may be raw, but I think he could be an impact player from day 1 in Detroit.
Bjoern Werner - Florida StateI realize that many experts have Werner to the Lions, and often he is referred to as the 1st or 2nd rated defensive end in the draft. His production at Florida State certainly puts him in that conversation, but I am just not sold on him as a top 5 pick just yet. I have to admit that the Orange Bowl is the only time I actually watched him play a full game, but I was just not blown away. Now my issue with Werner has nothing to do with his ability, but he just was not as aggressive as I wanted to see from an elite prospect. This could purely be a scheme issue, if his coaches have him focused on contain rather than collapsing the pocket. I hope this is the case, because that is the only excuse I can make for the amount of time I counted him just standing up during a play.
Damontre Moore - Texas A&MMoore is a very interesting prospect to me. WalterFootball.com has had him rated as one of the top defensive ends all season, and he still ranks him as a top 5 talent. However, the whispers around the league is that Moore's stock is falling. I heard it mentioned that Moore was not even a first round talent, which I find mind boggling. Now I need to watch more film on the young man, but the fact that he just changed positions to defensive and switched to the best conference in football, and still dominate makes me question what the heck these scouts are seeing that makes them think this. Regardless of what the current buzz is on Moore, the reality is that few teams will be willing to pass up a young speed rusher who has notched 26.5 sacks in three seasons, he will not last into the second round unless there are unknown red flags that we don't know about.
Dion Jordan - OregonOne of the names that has recently gained momentum among defensive ends is the edge rusher from Oregon. Jordan played in a 3-4 defense, and that is possible his ideal fit, but his pure pass rushing potential is there. There are question marks about Jordan though because of his size. His length is incredible at 6'7, but he is only listed at 243 pounds which is lighter than you would like, especially considering his length. This could make anchoring against the run very difficult as an end in the NFL. With his frame adding bulk shouldn't be an issue, but it is a concern. Additionally, in part because of his defensive role, Jordan has only racked up 12.5 sacks over two seasons, which is not a lot of production from a guy who is projected as a possible first day pick.
Barkevious Mingo - LSUI was excited to watch Mingo this year, as I thought he was the next great pass rusher. Unfortunately on each occasion I came away disappointed. In the games that I watched, he pretty much disappeared for stretches of time. He is a speed guy with the ability to turn the corner, but the lack of size and strength will put him at a disadvantage too often for him to be a top pick in a 4-3 system. Walt has suggested on his site the Mingo is better suited to play outside in a 3-4 system and that would be a logical thought, but I have no idea if he has the feet and hips to play in space. The combine will tell us a great deal about Mingo's future role in the NFL, and perhaps we will see him in a Von Miller or an Aldon Smith type role.
Alex Okafor - TexasThe standout defensive end for the Longhorns is going to be a big time player in the NFL. He most likely will not be drafted as high as some of the aforementioned players, but he could have an even larger impact than some of them. Okafor is 6'4 261, but plays with both quickness and power that allows him to deploy an assortment of moves. The Lions have said they are looking for impact players, and Okafor's production indicates that he fits the bill with 16.5 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and a blocked kick this season. In addition to his production, he was the only player that routinely gave Eric Fisher a hard time during Senior Bowl practices. Fisher is currently the second ranked tackle in the draft.
Sam Montgomery - LSUAs I mentioned before, I had a few occasions to watch LSU play this year. Each time, I was wanting to see what Mingo would do, and each time I came away more impressed with the lesser known Sam Montgomery. While neither defensive end had the season they hoped for, Sam was more impressive to watch. He was able to shed blocks more frequently and he made plays in the run game as well as helping collapse the pocket. I don't think he is a top talent in terms of pass rushing, but I feel that he is a very solid 2nd day pick and that if the Lions go elsewhere in round 1, he could be a good choice in the 2nd or 3rd round.
Devin Taylor - South CarolinaI had heard a lot about this Jadeveon Clowney and got to witness his brilliance when the Gamecocks beat out Michigan in the Outback Bowl. Yet you couldn't help but pay attention to Devin Taylor. Taylor by most accounts did not have the production most hoped to see out of him in 2012, but his physical tools are obvious. At 6'8, 270 pounds Taylor is still anticipated to run in the 4.7 range which is more than impressive. It is not just about the measurables though, as he is a fluid athlete who moves well and seemed capable to get off blocks routinely. He is not a premiere rusher, but as a mid to late round pick, Devin Taylor could bring a lot of value to a team that wants to bolster its depth on the defensive line.
LinebackersJarvis Jones - GeorgiaJarvis Jones scares me. He scares me that the Lions could select him and opt to create a role for him as a pass rushing linebacker in a 4-3 scheme, and that his injury history will do what it has done to countless Lions draft picks. It also scares me that the Lions could pass up on the next Von Miller/Derrick Thomas style pass rushing linebacker. The Spinal Stenosis that caused him to leave USC and transfer to Georgia is a real concern, but there were recent reports this week that he has been medically cleared to play football. Whether or not there are lingering medical concerns there are other question marks surrounding Jones as well. It is said that he is not a hard worker and that he doesn't put time into the weight room. These are more reasons to be leery of this stud pass rusher, because in the NFL if you don't take care of your body, you won't last. Jones could be well worth the risk, but how many times have us Lions' fans heard that line of thought?
Khaseem Greene - RutgersKhaseem is an interesting player because he was a huge factor for the Scarlet Knights defense this year. He made loads of plays all over the field in both run and pass defense. Now at only 6'0 236 he is small for an NFL linebacker, so the question is if he will need to be shifted back to his original safety position. In either position, he could be an impact player for the Lions because they need help in both areas. With that being said, I don't think they draft a linebacker in the first half of the draft unless he is a proven pass rusher. In this case, Green looks more than capable, despite his smaller frame.
Sio Moore - UConnI don't know a whole lot about Sio Moore, but from what I have read he seems to fit the mold of a linebacker who brings legitimate pass rusher ability off the edge. During his senior season at UConn, Moore tallied 6.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. As a mid to late round pick, Sio Moore could add good value to Detroit.
Zaviar Gooden - MissouriGooden is a bit of an enigma to me. He burst onto the scene as a sophomore with great production, but his play has tailed off over the past two seasons. More of a concern is that fact that he seemed to struggle against the better competition. It may be too late, but Gooden did help himself by playing well in the Senior Bowl. He showed good range and instincts, but expect him to still be available as a mid to late round selection at this point.
Jelani Jenkins - FloridaI am really looking forward to seeing Jelani Jenkins during the combine. He is a young man with an incredibly high ceiling, but potential can get you fired. Jenkins has excellent speed and a knack for making plays all over the field, but he missed a lot of time due to injury in 2012. You also have to wonder what prompted his decision to declare for the NFL draft, despite having a disappointing 2012 season. There could be legitimate reasons, but I will be interested to hear what comes out of the team interviews and how he fares on Wonderlic test. Hopefully his reasons for entering the draft are good reasons, and not signs of immaturity or worse. Jenkins is another guy that had a subpar season by most accounts, so his stock is in the mid-late range, and could be a draft day steal.
DeVonte Holloman - South CarolinaThere might not be a lot of people familiar with DeVonte Holloman, and quite frankly neither was I until I watched the Outback Bowl. But when I did start watching the game, it wasn't long before I started to hear his name. Then again, and again, and again. Holloman was all over the field making plays against the Wolverines, shutting their offense down for most of the day. At one point I was confused whether he played safety of linebacker backer of his range. Holloman may not be a flashy pick and he doesn't necessarily fit the bill as a dynamic pass rushing linebacker, but he could definitely make an impact on this team, even if it was just on special teams to start.
CornersDesmond Trufant - WashingtonMarcus Trufant's little brother is making a serious case for being a first round pick in April's draft. He played well, excelling in man to man coverage all season and showing up big in key moments for the Huskies. In addition to that, he made his presence felt at the Senior Bowl all week, showing that he had all the confidence and skills needed to play on an island. Trufant's stock is rising, but if he somehow slips to the Lions in the second round, they may have a tough decision on their hands.
Xavier Rhodes - Florida StateXavier Rhodes is an interesting player, and one worth keeping an eye on during draft day. He has a special blend of size (6'2 215) and speed (4.4 range) that you don't find often at the cornerback position. Now he is another player that did not perform as well in 2012 as he did in 2011, but his ability is there and his upside is pretty impressive. I doubt Rhodes will fall all the way to the third round, but if he does he will be a bargain value who anyone that grabs him.
David Amerson - NC StateOf all the defensive backs listed here, I think David Amerson warrants the biggest question mark. After a stellar sophomore season, the junior was all the talk among defensive backs. Physically he is off the charts at 6'3, 200 pounds with the speed to turn and run deep with receivers. Then he showed a nasty habit of attacking the ball every time it was in the air, as if it belong to him. Something was different this year though, and the whole thing never came together. I don't know if he was dealing with off the field issues or what, but his performance in 2012 was markedly worse. If there are legitimate reasons for his struggles that is one thing, if it is simply a confidence issue, then that is another matter all together. Amerson has incredible potential, but some digging needs to be done to find out what happened in 2012.
Will Davis - Utah StatePlayers from Utah State don't tend to have the luxury of getting much national attention, so when I heard about this corner from Utah State my first thought was, who? Will Davis is a guy that has really seen his stock rise over the last few months, but it is not a knee jerk reaction. Yes he played well and competed hard during the Senior Bowl week, but his rise is well deserved for his play as a senior. Davis is a ball hawk that recorded an interception in five straight games, something the Lions desperately need. Davis would be a good value in the middle rounds.
Jordan Poyer - Oregon StateBeing a little late to the party, I didn't know who Jordan Poyer was until the Senior Bowl. Even still, during the week leading up to the game, I probably would not have paid much attention until I heard Charles Davis talking about Poyer. And generally when Charles Davis speaks, I listen. Charles said that he really like Poyer, and that he just always seemed to be around the ball whenever he watched film. Charles Davis made the same comment later in the week, and the next thing you know Poyer was tipping a pass up into the arms of his teammate. Poyer may not be a household name, but when you watch him play, he finds ways to impact the game. He is the type of player that Mayhew has been talking about.
Tyrann Mathieu - LSUAfter the 2011 season there was probably not a more popular or iconic football player in the nation than the Honey Badger. As a freshman and sophomore, Mathieu had an undeniable impact on the Tigers' defense, as he helped lead them to a National Championship showdown with the Crimson Tide. Mathieu is far from a prototypical defensive back, as Les Miles staff found a multitude of ways to deploy this defensive play maker. Mathieu made play after play, and was even a finalist for the Heisman Trophy. However, everything spiraled out of control in 2012. He was kicked off the team for failed drug tests, then he got arrested for drugs later in the year. 2012 was a long year for Mathieu, and I think it was an important year for him. It is hard to know whether a man has changed or not, but there is a
well written article on ESPN chronicling Mathieu's journey and his new mindset. Has he really moved on from his struggles and addiction, I don't know. Will he ever be the same player he was 2011, I don't know. But if there is any chance that he will be, he is worth the late round pick it will take to snag him.
Robert Alford - Southeast LouisianaWhen players come from a small school or a lower division, you always wonder how they will handle the transition. Will they be overwhelmed, will they be intimidated, will they be out of their league? This wasn't the case at all for Alford. He showed up at the senior and backed up his college resume with a good week or practice and solid performance at the Senior Bowl. Alford's value also increases because of his ability to play special teams, particularly returning kicks, which he also displayed in Mobile.
SafetyMatt Elam - FloridaI don't know if Elam will last beyond the first round, but he would be a tremendous pick-up for Detroit. Elam's measureables will probably not wow anyone, but make no mistake about it, he is a game changer. Whether in run support or pass defense, Elam had an impact. I don't think the Lions have a legitimate shot to land him without trading back into the first, but he could be an instant impact player.
TJ McDonald - USCI have heard many Lions' fans clamoring the TJ McDonald in the 2nd or 3rd round, and they seem to be on track with right where WalterFootball.com has him slotted at this time. McDonald is a physical force who is able to play deep center field as well as delivering bone jarring hits.
JJ Wilcox - Georgia SouthernPlaying for Georgia Southern has prevented Wilcox from becoming a big name player, but he is starting to gain notice. His blend of speed and athleticism is opening the eyes of a lot of scouts around the league, especially with his ability to contribute on special teams right away.
Phillip Thomas - Fresno StateWe have said that the Lions are searching for playmakers, particularly on defense. Phillip Thomas was just that in 2012 as he led the nation in interceptions with 8. In addition to that, Thomas also had 83 tackles (12 for loss) and forced four fumbles. Thomas is a game changer and would look great roaming the Lions secondary, and he could potentially be available in the mid rounds.
Tony Jefferson - OklahomaThere are mixed reviews on Jefferson. There are games where he plays lights out and looks like an NFL caliber safety in both the run and pass games. Then there are games where he seems to struggle, sometimes against the higher caliber opponents. WalterFootball.com also said that they were reports that his work ethic in the weight room and practice field were lacking. If this is the case, then I would just scratch him off the list, but at this point, his talent merits mention.
Jonathan Cyprien - Florida InternationalJonathan Cyprien looks like he could be an ideal fit for the Lions, and they could most likely land him in the middle rounds if they haven't addressed safety yet. He has decent size at 6', 210 pounds and he has decent range. All reports out of the Senior Bowl are that he helped his draft stock by showing up and competing hard and doing a good job in coverage throughout the week. Cyprien is also really good in run support and he seems to have a knack for deliver the big shot, as we heard happened all week in Mobile. Interestingly, Cyprien is also a high school teammate and good friend of Louis Delmas. This could not only be a great way of instantly having chemistry on the back end of this defense, but it would also possibly help the Lions find a way to keep Delmas from leaving for greener pastures.
Robert Lester - AlabamaAt 6'1, 212 pounds Lester has the body type that NFL scouts are looking for at the safety position. He has the body to bring Alabama's physical style of play to the NFL, and he has the speed to not be a liability in coverage. However, Lester is not considered the top can't miss safety prospect that he was at the beginning of the 2012 season. In fact, his stock has pretty much plummeted at this point from potential top 20 pick to what is now expected to be 3rd or 4th round by some scouts. Lester may have a bright future ahead of him, but 2012 was just not as productive a season for him and he did not stand out at the Senior Bowl, where players like the aforementioned Cyprien made bigger waves. Even with his stock dropping, the Lions would instantly upgrade their secondary by adding Robert Lester to the mix.
With the evaluation process in full swing, Bucky Brooksprovides position-by-position rankings for the 2013 NFL Draft. 
