Lions Draft Analysis

The NFL Draft has come to a close, and for the 0-16 Lions, that means they have to try to fit their newly acquired rookies into roles on the team to prevent 0-16 again. So how did the Lions do this year?

1. Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia at #1 overall: Grade: C. Does Stafford have the potential to be a good quarterback? Yes. Does he have the potential to be a top-5 quarterback in this league? No. That's why I've been so against the pick of Stafford since it was reported months ago that he was the favorite to be selected. Not only that, but the Lions didn't even draft an offensive lineman in the first 3 rounds of the draft, so he can't expect much help up front. They did however provide him with a safety valve at their next pick.

2. Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State at #20 overall. Grade: A. Pettigrew is EASILY the best tight end this year, and at times will look like a 6th offensive lineman for the Lions (which everyone knows they could use). He projects to be like Bubba Franks in my opinion. A great blocker for his whole career who is as I said earlier, a great safety valve for the quarterback within 10 to 15 yards of the line of scrimmage. And like Franks, he will be a valuable red zone weapon as well.

3. Louis Delmas, S, Western Michigan at #33 overall. Grade: A-. Delmas shot up draft boards this year, from a 3rd round grade to just missing out on the first round here. He should be a constant at SS for the Lions for years to come. He is fairly versatile in coverage and athletic, so he gives them the ability to rush more linebackers and run zone blitzes more often than the previous Lions coaching staff could. I think Laurinaitis would have been a better pick here personally, and I would have taken him at 20 if I were the Lions, but Delmas looks to be the appointed leader of this defense for the time being.

4. Deandre Levy, WLB, Wisconsin at #76 overall. Grade: C-. I'm confused, do the Lions see something in Chris Graham or Cody Spencer that I don't? Two problems: Ernie Sims is a fixture at WLB, and no team starts 2 WLBs in the NFL. They needed a MLB, and opted for a quick, smaller linebacker as far as the NFL is concerned at 236 pounds. He has the speed to play on the weakside and likely will see some time there giving Ernie Sims a rest here and there. This pick either means the new regime isn't pleased with Ernie Sims' play, or that they didn't know Deandre Levy's position when they drafted him. I'm going to go with the latter.

5. Derrick Williams, WR, Penn State at #82 overall. Grade: A. This actually is a great pick here. I'm not the biggest fan of Derrick Williams at all, but one thing that can't be said about Williams is that he's unathletic. The former #1 receiver of his 2005 recruiting class underwhelemed at Penn State, but still was a big play threat. He was used a lot on screens however, so he can probably use some polishing in route running. Don't be surprised to see Williams used in a Percy Harvin fashion, at slot receiver, occasionally in the backfield, and as the main kick and punt returner. He's worth the pick here and could end up providing the Lions with another receiving threat to complement Calvin.

6. Sammie Lee Hill, DT, Stillman at #115 overall. Grade: B-. The Lions finally address the defensive line, taking the project out of a D II school. Hill at 6'3" and 330 lbs. SHOULD take up multiple blockers at a time with his massive size, but there's no guarantee he will. He has a long way to develop and was over-drafted here due to his physical upside. At the least he's a fresh face on the DL which the Lions need. There were only a couple better DT prospects available at this point, such as Terrance Taylor of Michigan, so the choice of Hill in the 4th round can't be criticized too much.

7. Aaron Brown, RB, TCU at #192 overall. Grade: B. Wait, the Lions still haven't drafted an offensive lineman, yet? Really? Brown is a decent value here, but his peak is probably a 3rd down back, which Brian Calhoun is right now. Look for Brown to fight for a roster spot with Calhoun, and him to have little impact on the team. At this point it's probably too late to find a reliable offensive lineman, but still, they haven't even tried. Out of a 6th round pick, even if Brown turns out to be a 3rd down back this year (which he probably will, Calhoun has never really impressed) that's a positive selection.

8. Lydon Murtha, OT, Nebraska at #228 overall. Grade: A. Great pick this low in the draft. Murtha could have gone as high as the third or fourth round with how well he performed at the combine. He ran the fastest 40 of any lineman, and did the same in the 20 yard shuttle and the 3 cone drill. He's definitely a pass blocker and not a run blocker, but at 6'7" 306, he has the size and speed to develop into a serviceable to good pass blocking LT.

9. Zach Follett, OLB, California at #235 overall. Grade: D. And Lions fans, your starter at MLB is officially Chris Graham! Oh wait, that's bad. Chris Graham has no experience and is only 225 pounds, while Cody Spencer has been passed through multiple organizations as a backup and released multiple times without any second thought. OLB was not nearly as much of a concern as MLB was and still is. Darry Beckwith, LSU's starting middle linebacker, was available at this point, and still may be, because he wasn't even drafted! Beckwith was projected to be a mid-round pick, and has the capability to start in the NFL. He's good in pass coverage and a good tackler which the Lions need.. oh wait this is supposed to be about Zack Follett. He'll be a career backup, and only will start if pressed into the duty due to injury, kind of like Cody Spencer should be! It's highly unlikely he even makes the team.

10. Dan Gronkowski, TE, Maryland at #255 overall. Grade: F. The Lions really needed a TE, except for the fact that they drafted the best one in the 2009 class already. Stupid pick, the guy won't even see the field, and probably won't make the team. They could have picked up a veteran and been just fine, or selected Beckwith here.

Overall grade: B-. For the most part, the Lions got value picks at their drafting slots, but I feel they had more important needs. At the same time, when your team has at least 15 starting spots that should be replaced, you can't expect one draft to cover them all.The Lions made it public that they would draft talent over need this year because of the lack of talent on the current roster, and their approach definitely shows that. I think starting the franchise QB off with an at most average offensive line is a bad idea, but they decided Stafford would be the face of the Lions' franchise for years to come. Pettigrew, Delmas, Williams, Hill, and Murtha were all fine picks and the first four should see serious playing time this year. The Lions did well getting value with their later round picks, but at the wrong positions.