Players to Key on in the Draft

Let's be honest the draft is overdone by now. It seems like we've concentrated so much on the first round. I'm going to go through rounds 2-7 Lions should key on. I'm picking 1 guy from each position in each round which that the Lions need. I'll put an * next to who I'd take. Will assume that's who they take later as well.

2nd Round

*Jordan Matthews WR Vanderbilt

I'm a huge Matthews fan for the simple reason of production. Production translates to the next level quite well when it comes to WRs. There are guys like Kelvin Benjamin that have huge upside, but when you can't catch the ball like Benjamin or so many Lions WRs of old it doesn't work out.

Jimmie Ward S Northern Illinois

I wasn't originally going to put a safety here, because I have too many concerns with Joyner in the 2nd round. I'm not sure Ward will be available.

Kyle Van Noy OLB BYU

Now the Lions really don't get to play many 3 LB sets. I'm still wondering how high the need is to draft a pass rushing LB.

CB, C, TE, DT, and DE

Lions shouldn't be taking a QB or a kick here but do need one. I'm a huge fan of Dee Ford DE but don't see him available. CBs are a huge concer for me and the Lions should wait. It's likely a plethora of CBs will be taken in the first round. DT Timmy Jernigan would be a good pick if available, but I think the Lions would much better off with any of the above. TE I do have ASJ and Amaro available, but I just think that's a big investment for what is already there. Unless Pettigrew is a 1-2 guy. I still think you can then wait. I also think there is a great value later on to be had. I'm not a fan of drafting a replacement in the second round at center.

3rd Round

Marcus Martin USC/Weston Richburg Colorado C

I'm kind of leaning towards if you're going to draft a replacement. Draft a guy later that needs a little development or draft your start when you need him. Neither one of these guys really needs much development.

Brock Vereen Washington State S

There's only one Calvin Pryor in this draft. Him and Glover seem like a good fit together. I think Vereen is a 2nd round talent. Ahmad Dixon would definitely be what we need at S. With the league the way it's going. I think safeties like him and Louis Delmas hurt you more then they help.

*Marcus Roberson/Loucheiz Purifoy CB UF

Might seem like a reach that they fall to the third round, but I don't think so. Athletic freaks they both are could turn into great CBs. Pierre Desir is likely to go before them both now because of size people are looking for. I'll take Roberson/Purifoy both whom do have some off the field issues. If it wasn't for the Seahawks I think they'd be a 2nd round lock.

Christian Jones LB FSU

I like this guy a lot. I wouldn't consider him a playmaker, but a playmaker stopper. He just makes those routine plays and a quality tackler with that p word again production. Think he's a 2nd round talent in most drafts.

Jared Abbrederis WR Wisconsin

Abbrederis and Borland I'm huge fan of because of production. Yeah, size is a concern for both of them. Arms for Borland. I think they're worth a 2-3 round pick. Borland is likely going to be gone at this point. I still like Jones more. Not a knock on Borland though. Abbrederis is a guy that can do everything the Lions need. Third round seems like a better value then a Lee or Beckham.

4th Round

Since the Lions have 3 picks I'll be going through several players.

Travis Swanson C Arkansas/*Gabe Ikard C Oklahmoa

All of sudden Centers have been really moving. I think in the 4th round Swanson is a great value. Ikard is not a top tier guy, but a guy that can develop for a year and then take over.

Dion Bailey S USC

Possibly a late round steal. They guy made a ton of plays at USC and had a lot of production.

*Anthony Johnson DT LSU

This is a guy that can push Fairley as he will be able to get in on the rotation and make a difference. He might not make plays, but that's not necessarily what a DT is supposed to do.

Khairi Fortt ILB Cal

Makes a ton of good reads and seems to enjoy playing the game. Reminds me quite a bit of Zack Follett. Brings some good fun energy.

*CJ Fiedorowiz TE Iowa

If available at any of their comp picks they need to take him.

Jordan Tripp OLB Montana

Just put on a show at the combine. I was really looking forward to seeing Starr and this guy stood out. I've only heard good things at the post season games.

6th Round

Jacob Pedersen TE Wisconsin

Pedersen is a late round guy that could really turn into something. I'm more favorable in taking a  LB or DE here though.

Larry Webster DE Bloomsburg

What I like about Webster is he seems to play very intelligently. I don't think he's a guy that will get to the QB often. He plays the run very well. Sheds blocks reads and reacts. Not a typical Lions DE.

*Denisos Allen OLB MSU

Hate him or love him the guy can play. At the very least he will have production on special teams. I think he's the perfect fit for a team that won't play much 3 LB sets. I think he's better then Palmer.

7th Round

Jermiah George LB ISU

Not a big name after getting hurt in the combine. Very instinctive player.

*Isiah Lewis S MSU

I think he'd be a great fit with Glover. I'm not saying he'd pan out. Even if you've taken a safety he's worth pulling the trigger on.

Without taking into consideration the first round you're looking at several good players.

Jordan Matthews WR

Marcus Roberson CB

Anthony Johnson DT

CJ Fiedorowiz TE

Gabe Ikard C

Denicos Allen OLB

Isiah Lewis S

From that haul. A lot of players with someone in front of them that are likely short term. Lewis isn't likely to be a star, but it's not a pressing position need. Fiedorowiz and Ikard can be starters at their positions. Didn't walk away with a developmental QB and DE. Maybe DE can be addressed in round 1. 

Trading Down in Round 1

Some good news that there is speculation that the Lions will receive a 4th round compensation pick on the loss of Gosder Cherilus. I'd sa the emergence of Waddle has turned out very well. I still am a fan of Fox of Hillard, but I think it's Waddle's spot. Now the Lions do not have a 5th round pick form the Mike Thomas trade to the Jaguars. This has been seen as a terrible trade and it clearly was. Personally I think it was worth the risk.

With the rookie salary cap trading up and down is much more likely. I think we very well could see a lot of movement in the first ten picks. Who is a team that would want to come up to ten though. Honestly who knows. Maybe it's the Redskins. I wouldn't be upset if the Redskins through the farm in to get the Lions first rounder this year and we no longer had one. The Jets are a team that I think will want to get talent and aren't afraid to move up. I think you look at Dallas as a contender also. Maybe even the Steelers needing a CB. I think any team back there might find a guy they fall in love with.

Trading down with the Redskins mean. It could possibly mean a lot of things. It could possibly mean two first round picks over the next two years and possibly more. Maybe they through in pretty much everything this year and a first rounder next year. Lion fans won't be happy, but having two first round picks in a draft leaves so much flexibility.

Trading down to anyone else. Lets look at the Jets because they're kind of in the middle and probably the most realistic. They'd be giving up the 18th and 49th pick for the 10th. Keep in mind this is before compensation picks are handed out. Now why does this make sense for the Lions. The Lions need a lot of quality help. They also need it at a cheap rate. The Lions are in a serious cap issue. While extending Suh makes sense from a cap situation. Personally I'm not read to tie a knot with the guy yet. They need a quality safety, CB, TE, and WR. They need depth at the d line. They could use an upgrade at OLB and DE with Young a free agent. You look at really keening on getting secondary help and a playmaker. Now having two second round picks and a first should help you get three starters over two.

With the Jets 18th pick I think you will still have the possibility of your choice of at least 1 of the top 2 CBs in Gilbert or Dennard. Possibly the top safety Clinton. Two WR are probably off the board. Top TE in Ebron might be there.  I've been very adamant about taking a WR in the second round or later. Mainly due to the lack of separation between WRs and such a deep WR class. I think you pass on that position. So we can narrow it down to CB, S, or TE here.

Their original 45th pick and the Jets 49th pick I think you look to fill WR or whichever position you didn't in round one between CB, or S. I doubt there's a top TE you see to draft in round 2. Austin Sefarian-Jenkins being the most likely, but lets say he's gone. I think you're looking at Calvin Pryor at safety Jason Verrett at CB being the top guys,but possibly not there. Marcus Roberson and Lamarcus Joyner are your likely CB and safety be available there. Possibly off the field issue athletic stud Loucheiz Purifoy or Dion Bailey at safety. Maybe look to upgrade OLB with Van Noy.  I think at WR you're looking for Jordan Matthews. Someone like that is definitely very likely to be available. With the Jets 49th you're looking at picking two of these guys instead of one.

Lets look more directly at what kind of combinations we're looking at. We'll start with Ebron then Gibson and then Clinton as if they had been the pick in the first round.
18 - Ebron
45 - Marcus Roberson
49 - Van Noy

18 - Gibson
45 - Jordan Matthews
49 - Lamarcus Joyner

18 - Clinton
45 - Marcus Roberson
49 - Jordan Matthews

Now you can swap in who you like, but you could be looking at three huge upgrades. Now I think all CBs in this draft are a risk. I think there are a lot of starters at safety in this draft. I think if you went Ebron, Joyner, and Van Noy are likely group to succeed.

Lions First Three Rounds

We now know were a large selection of the teams are going to be selecting. The Lions need about every position. Honestly there's not one position that the Lions should look away from including QB. They need help at WR. They need to look for a replacement at center. I'm eating my words from last year on the importance of center after how great Raioli was. They can resign him and maybe still be fine. O-line overall though was great with great depth. We have restricted free agent Bell who they do need to resign. Defensive side you're looking hard at CB, but there isn't a top shutdown guy really. Defensive line did not get the job done this year. Need quality depth at CB and LB. Palmer played well at times, but it would certainly be a boost to get a stud in there. Levy is pretty versatile.

First Round

Every mock draft I see has us taking Marqise Lee pretty much. No secret that the Lions need someone across from Megatron. I just don't see it in Lee. Sadly we need a slot for depth and of the future and we need a #2, but this is a deep WR class. I just don't see Lee that separate from the rest of the pack to take him at 10. It's going to be a run of QBs sadly Hundley went back to school. Watkins may fall and I would love that pick. The guy is a dynamic versatile playmaker. Sadly I like some 3-4 guys Khalil Mack and Anthony Barr. Other then that, nobody that I love at 10. I definitely think there's a legitimate possibility of one of them being there. I realize it's not sexy and we've spent a lot on the d-line, but it helps when they actually get to the QB. Too many times I saw the opponent QB having all day in a nice pocket.

Second Round

It's going to be tough to know who is going to make it to the second round. Obviously guys like Dennard and Gilbert at CB I think the Lions need to snatch up. Gilbert in the second round I don't see happening. Kyle Fuller and Jason Verrett are a couple of other CBs not a huge fan of. Loucheiz Purifoy is an interesting prospect at CB he could possibly go third round, but I'd take him before the other two I just mentioned. At WR there will be someone. A Kelvin Benjamin, Allen Robinson, Davante Adams, or Jordan Matthews. Some quality LBs Christian Jones, Yawin Smallwood, and AJ Johnson. I think it's early for center, but either third or second you're looking at Brandon Stork or Travis Swanson.

Third round

Your looking for WR Paul Richardson would be a great pick. CB Purifoy I'd like also. Top two center would be good if they're available. CB Roby is a pick that I like. High reward guy that just played awful this year. Preseason most people had him in the first round. Take him in the third round isn't bad price tag. There will be WR available. Brandon Coleman, Odell Beckhman, Abbrederis, and Jarvis Landry are likely to be available. Guy I really like here is a ILB Khairi Fortt out of Cal. Stanford ILB Skov wouldn't be bad either.