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2009
NFL Draft Needs - Detroit Lions
by Gregory Cox
Senior Writer
4/22/09
 Picks (8): 1, 20, 33, 65, 82, 174, 192, 255*
*-compensatory pick cannot be traded
Middle Linebacker – After acquiring Julian Peterson their
starting outside linebackers are set. Former #9 overall pick Ernie Sims
has already piled up 372 tackles in three seasons on the other side.
Jordon Dizon did not light it up as a rookie and is by all accounts not
the answer in the middle as a starter. Someone capable of starting
immediately will be their goal in the draft. After that a backup
outside linebacker in the middle rounds is likely.
Quarterback – Their best option, Jon Kitna, was dealt to
Dallas. Dan Orlovksy bolted for Texas as well, signing with Houston.
For some reason Drew Henson is still drawing a paycheck. Perhaps it is
a payroll error. Drew Stanton might not be around much longer. Daunte
Culpepper is the expected starter because of his history with new
offensive coordinator Scott Linehan. Let’s add up his last 16 games
played spanning three seasons with Miami, Oakland and Detroit. The
grand total is 3,046 yards passing with 11 touchdowns against 14
interceptions. He has completed 57.2% of his passes. Not since the day
before Halloween in 2005 has he been a serious threat. On the final
play of the first quarter against the Carolina Panthers his knee was
injured and the rest is history. His monster 2004 season is legendary,
but this is not a videogame. The Lions will be deciding if either
Matthew Stafford (Georgia) or Mark Sanchez (USC) can end the curse of
Bobby Layne. If so one of them will be selected at #1 overall. If not
they might need to pull the trigger on a trade because going into the
season with this depth chart is not an option.
Offensive Line – There will be some shuffling to be sure.
George Foster’s awful stint with the team is over. Jeff Backus is
slated to start at left tackle, but if one can be landed in the draft
might slide to guard. The right side is settled with Stephen Peterman
having signed a new deal at guard while rookie Gosder Cherilus showed
enough to hold down the tackle position. At center Dominic Raiola needs
a backup, and preferably someone to beat him out. Damion Cook and newly
signed Daniel Loper (Titans) fill reserve roles. Most importantly there
is no one to carry this line and after giving up 52 sacks clearly
improvement is needed. The first priority is a left tackle. Then a
center with starting potential and the flexibility to be used at guard
would make sense.
Cornerback – Leigh Bodden managed the only interception at the
position last year and was cut. Free agent pickup Eric King (Titans)
makes sense. He has yet to pick off a pass in 52 career games spanning
four seasons. On the plus side
Phillip Buchanon (Bucs) and Anthony Henry (Cowboys) are decent
additions to the mix. They are definitely missing a standout to anchor
the group and should be looking for one solid player early in the draft
to fill that role.
Defensive Tackle – Shaun Cody and Cory Redding are out, veteran
Grady Jackson (Falcons) is in. Chuck Darby was not exactly a boost to
this unit considering the team gave up an NFL high 172.1 yards rushing
per game. He is also into his 30’s and the new regime is likely to seek
his successor in the draft. Jackson is even older and with a starting
duo inside that is currently almost 70 years old combined a little
youth would do them some good. Even more unfortunate for fans of the
Lions is factoring in that two guys they selected just last year, Andre
Fluellen (third round) and Landon Cohen (seventh round), were taken to
fit the old defensive scheme.
Running Back (situational) – This is well down the laundry list
of needs, but I think it has to be mentioned. Last year rookie Kevin
Smith showed signs he can be the primary rushing, chewing up a lot of
carries and wearing down the opposing defense. In today’s NFL that
means 250-275 carries. Maurice Morris (Seahawks) was a savvy signing
and will back up the youngster. However, he is not the ever popular
“home run” threat analysts like to talk about. As if hitting a baseball
400 feet equates to running your rear end off 80 yards down the field.
Anyway, Morris has never gained 50+ yards in any of his 604 career
rushes. In the late rounds, or the rookie free agent market if anyone
wants to sign with this franchise, Detroit could get a quicker option.
If that player is able to return kickoffs and/or punts it’s a bonus.
Wide Receiver – Even if the quarterback situation is a mess,
Calvin Johnson has the #1 spot at receiver nailed down for the
foreseeable future. Bryant Johnson (49ers) was signed to help offset
the loss of Roy Williams, who was traded to Dallas. He has been nothing
if not steady over his six years in the NFL, averaging 42.5 receptions
for 537 yards with a grand total of 12 touchdowns. As a complementary
threat he is serviceable. However, the rest of the depth chart is bare.
Someone able to work the slot effectively would be a huge boost to the
passing game. To put this need in perspective, “CJ” led the team in
receiving by 999 yards over Shaun McDonald. A late signing of Ronald
Curry (Raiders) provides them with another veteran, but he struggled
with injuries early in his career. On the plus side he might give them
a “Wildcat” quarterback option. Another under the radar move was
signing 2008 fourth round pick Will Franklin (Chiefs) off waivers.
There are options certainly, but no one to attract any defense away
from Johnson.
Michael
Abromowitz's 2009 NFL Mock
Draft - 7 rounds
Gregory Cox's 2009 NFL Mock
Draft - 6 rounds
Jared Donnelly's 2009 NFL Mock Draft
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