7 picks
#2, 34, 66, 100, 213sea, 214cle, 255comp
Cornerback
Basically, their defense made every opposing quarterback look like Peyton Manning. Giving up 4,250 passing yards and 35 touchdowns against just 9 interceptions is beyond unacceptable. It is embarrassing. Worse yet, most teams didn't even need to pass on them because the run defense was below average as well. Henry's best years are well behind him. He can walk in free agency, and at 33 might return as a backup. Journeyman Will James is also unrestricted, but trading for Houston (Falcons) and signing Wade (Rams) was apparently a higher priority. Hobbs, their top nickel player, and Smith were both tendered for depth, while Buchanon was cut. I don't think they have done enough given the dramatic improvement required to simply be average.
Strong Safety
One of the few players this team can count on going forward is Louis Delmas who starred as a rookie. If anything they are sweating depth at the free spot. Bullocks was given a second round free agent tender as he recovers from microfracture surgery, and has missed two of the last three years with knee injuries. Simpson is in the same recovery situation and was given a fourth round tender. Back to the strong side, Manuel is back on a one year deal after starting six games before landing on injured reserve. Pearson will be a free agent next year although he was more of a factor in 2008. Clearly given their inability to stop anyone from passing the football on them, an early pick will be spent on someone to pair up with Delmas. At #2 overall they are out of position to take Tennessee's Eric Berry because it's too high for him, but that duo on paper would have been terrific for a long time.
Defensive Line
Two veterans were added to what has been a problem area. Okay, every area is a problem but let's move on shall we? They traded for tackle Corey Williams (Browns) and landed a high profile free agent with end Kyle Vanden Bosch (Titans). The moves were definitely a step in the right direction for a team unable to generate any rush without blitzing, had no threat off the edge and no one to be a force in the middle. Is there anything else? Basically they had guys putting on uniforms last year, and now can start acting like a real defense up front. Not surprisingly they cut loose three linemen in DeVries, Jackson and White. DeVries was on IR all season with a torn Achilles, and signed to come back for one year. Jackson was on fumes at his age. Defensive end Robert Henderson was dealt to Seattle for a seventh round pick. The most significant other move was tendering Hunter (second round compensation) who looks ready to hold down the starting job at left defensive end and signed his tender. Putting it all together, the missing piece could be landing either McCoy or Suh to be their star defensive tackle.
Offensive Tackle
No controversies here right? Just about everyone has an opinion on Backus as a starter on the left side. Move inside to guard? Leave him there he's fine? Ship him off to Canada? Honestly, the only opinion of consequence is in house. They have Cherilus on the right side, but during his season season as a pro he was benched which leaves his development a question mark. Jansen, who is 34, was retained for one season which might be his last given his injury history. Hilliard, a former sixth round pick by the Patriots in 2007, was signed during the season for depth and might return to compete for a roster spot. He was tendered as a restricted free agent. Depending on their opinion of Backus, they either lock up the marquee left tackle (Oklahoma State's Okung) at #2 or ignore the position until the middle rounds. Their quarterbacks were sacked 43 times, ninth most in the NFL, and have a franchise player to keep healthy. Conventional wisdom dictates this might sway them in one direction, but this is the Lions.
Running Back
After Kevin Smith's 2008 rookie season (238 carries for 976 yards) it seemed like the starting job was in good hands. Then he regressed, and his 3.4 average can certainly be partially blamed on the offensive line particularly at guard. Worse yet, he tore his ACL late in the season and separated his shoulder. It is unlikely he will play early in the 2010 season and suddenly they need multiple players to fortify this area. Rookie Aaron Brown was expected to be their quick option, but made some, well, rookie mental mistakes and might not be the answer even in a complementary role. Peerman was retained just to lock someone down. Dorsey, who was last seen on Hard Knocks trying to make the Bengals, earned a two-year deal for the same reason. Morris is a quality veteran, and put up numbers in the final three weeks (228 yards rushing, 105 receiving) but is going to need help. Do they draft a speedster and give up on Brown, or take a bruiser and not count on Smith's long term health? It's a dilemma they need to figure out.
Linebacker
The homecoming for Larry Foote did not work out as planned. He did not operate as effectively in a 4-3 and has gone back to the Steelers. Ashlee Palmer was claimed off waivers (Bills) while Vinny Ciurciu and Zack Follett were retained as free agents who help on special teams. Landon Johnson, who was cut by the Panthers, also signed on to help their woeful special teams unit. There will be a starting spot for Levy this season after he stood out as a rookie gem. On the weak side Sims will be a free agent next year and a decision has to be made because he has not lived up to his lofty draft status. Another tough choice is what to do with Peterson who will make $7.5 million this year although with no cap they can't use the familiar "cap casualty" excuse for cutting him. There are certainly enough bodies on hand, but one more standout is needed.
Wide Receiver
The deal given to free agent Nate Burleson (Seahawks) was eye opening, but at least fans don't have to worry about an early draft pick being spent here. Brian Clark (Bucs) also signed and should be a boost returning kickoffs. Last year's rookie Derrick Williams could develop into their possession threat in the slot. I wouldn't say this position is locked down, especially with no running game and Stafford looking to break loose spreading the ball around, but with gaping holes elsewhere it is hard to see them spending a draft pick here.
Quarterback
Teams at the top of the draft thinking about passing on a potential franchise quarterback should look at the Lions. This team might have a lot of problems, but now the most important position is addressed. They gave up a pack of bubble gum for Shaun Hill (49ers) who will be a good soldier backing up Stafford. Unlike, say unrestricted free agent Culpepper who appears to have blown his last chance in the NFL. Perhaps they give Ramsey, who signed to dress as the third stringer late in the season and is a free agent, another deal. Stanton continues to hold a roster spot for some reason. There might be uncertainty about which player is their third quarterback at this point, but no one will be taken in the draft because the team made the right decision last year by taking the guy they felt best about.
Special Teams
Usually when a team struggles on special teams the help comes via the draft, but the Lions were able to pick up wide receiver Brian Clark (Bucs) linebacker Landon Johnson (Panthers) and cornerback Dante Wesley (Panthers) in free agency. Obviously there is a trickle down effect because teams who have a great offense and defense are loaded with quality starters and therefore put superior backups on the field in special teams. Makes sense right? Well, the Lions are bad and need more talent. In the kicking game Hanson struggled, and Harris was inconsistent punting the football.
Offensive Guard
The 2005 draft produced two of their guards, but both were taken by other teams. Gandy (Colts) and Loper (Titans) have found their way to NFL purgatory, as has 2008 Rams pick Schuening. Ramirez is a home grown talent from the 2007 draft. The common thread is youth, and all being either fourth or fifth round picks which is common for a position given very little respect by teams during the draft. The left guard spot was a rotation between Loper and Ramirez, who were both tendered as restricted free agents. Gandy saw time on the right side when Peterman had an ankle injury, and also earned a tender with added value of being able to play center. Cook is an unrestricted free agent who spent the year on injured reserve. He would be retained for depth. There is plenty of youth here, but as I pointed out a few weeks ago "someone to really take the left side with authority is the pressing need". They traded for Rob Sims (Seahawks) which means ideally the depth can fall in place behind them. Considering all of their other issues this now takes a back seat during the draft.
