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Lions Draft: I Give It A B-minus - And This Is Why
I always laugh when people give a team grades for the NFL Draft. I realize how funny it is because we, obviously, won't know until years later how a draft pans out. And because I always fall for it and give the Lions a grade anyway.
Well, here it is for this year: B-
This is why:
- I like this draft from the standpoint the Lions got two defensive players and a running back in the first three rounds.
- I do question whether Nebraska's Ndamukong Suh will be able to dominate from the inside tackle position enough to justify the second overall pick. I do, however, believe he will be, at minimum, an excellent NFL player for a long time. I also think there is a level of patience that will be needed with Suh. Defensive line in the NFL is a position that usually takes time for a player to develop. If Suh doesn't set the world on fire right away, it doesn't mean he is going to be a bust. If Suh excels immediately, it will be a very good sign - and unusual for his position.
- Cal running back Jahvid Best is a 50-50 proposition. He has extraordinary speed and is an exceptional athlete. He is also undersized and injury prone. I see his impact as either great or him flaming out quickly because of injuries.
I don't see how he could hold up carrying the ball 15 times per game, or consistently between the tackles. Then again, only 12 running backs in the NFL averaged 15 carries per game last season. It's a passing league. The Lions likely will go with controlled passing attack, setting up the run with the pass, rather than the other away around.
- Cornerback Amari Spievy from Iowa was a stretch so early in the third round. But in fariness to the Lions, cornerback is such a valued position, it's common place to reach for one. He is a good tackler and a solid pass defender, but not the fastest cornerback nor best cover guy. His eventual role might be at safety.
- Miami tackle Jason Fox, the fourth round pick, is an athletic former tight end, who isn't very strong for the position. Can't see him, at 6-7, easily moving inside to guard. He will take time to develop - as a tackle. Another reach.
- Trading up for Best in the first round cost the Lions a shot at several good defensive players in the fourth round - South Carolina linebacker Eric Norwood and Ohio State linebacker Thaddeus Gibson among them. The Vikings used the pick they got from the Lions for Everson Griffen from USC, a good rush end with a big upside.
T here were some good defensive players drafted after the Lions picked Fox - Kam Chancellor a safety from Virginia Tech, Parrish Cox a cornerback from Oklahoma State and Ricky Sapp a defensive end/linebacker from Clemson.
Much of how this draft will be judged depends on how well those players do in comparisonwith Best, Spievy and Fox.
- Not having fifth- and sixth round selections will depend on how well the Lions do after giving up those picks to acquire veteran players. Are guard Rob Sims, defensive tackle Corey Williams and cornerback Chris Houston going to be with the Lions for a long period of time or just stop gaps?
- Of the Lions' seventh round picks, I feel like defensive end Willie Young from NC State has the most potential. He is a little older than most picks (he'll be 25 in September), and has had some injuries issues. But he is athletic and easily could have been drafted much sooner.
Also, I don't understand why the Lions did not have select Michigan State wide receiver Blair White with the last pick in the draft. Bet he could play for them, and would be a strong special teams player. Instead, it was wide receiver Tim Toone, who is 25 years as well - a bit old for a developmental player - from a small school, Weber State.
My Column in Monday's Oakland Press - It never should have gotten to this point for the Red Wings: http://tinyurl.com/24xrumb
Well, here it is for this year: B-
This is why:
- I like this draft from the standpoint the Lions got two defensive players and a running back in the first three rounds.
- I do question whether Nebraska's Ndamukong Suh will be able to dominate from the inside tackle position enough to justify the second overall pick. I do, however, believe he will be, at minimum, an excellent NFL player for a long time. I also think there is a level of patience that will be needed with Suh. Defensive line in the NFL is a position that usually takes time for a player to develop. If Suh doesn't set the world on fire right away, it doesn't mean he is going to be a bust. If Suh excels immediately, it will be a very good sign - and unusual for his position.
- Cal running back Jahvid Best is a 50-50 proposition. He has extraordinary speed and is an exceptional athlete. He is also undersized and injury prone. I see his impact as either great or him flaming out quickly because of injuries.
I don't see how he could hold up carrying the ball 15 times per game, or consistently between the tackles. Then again, only 12 running backs in the NFL averaged 15 carries per game last season. It's a passing league. The Lions likely will go with controlled passing attack, setting up the run with the pass, rather than the other away around.
- Cornerback Amari Spievy from Iowa was a stretch so early in the third round. But in fariness to the Lions, cornerback is such a valued position, it's common place to reach for one. He is a good tackler and a solid pass defender, but not the fastest cornerback nor best cover guy. His eventual role might be at safety.
- Miami tackle Jason Fox, the fourth round pick, is an athletic former tight end, who isn't very strong for the position. Can't see him, at 6-7, easily moving inside to guard. He will take time to develop - as a tackle. Another reach.
- Trading up for Best in the first round cost the Lions a shot at several good defensive players in the fourth round - South Carolina linebacker Eric Norwood and Ohio State linebacker Thaddeus Gibson among them. The Vikings used the pick they got from the Lions for Everson Griffen from USC, a good rush end with a big upside.
T here were some good defensive players drafted after the Lions picked Fox - Kam Chancellor a safety from Virginia Tech, Parrish Cox a cornerback from Oklahoma State and Ricky Sapp a defensive end/linebacker from Clemson.
Much of how this draft will be judged depends on how well those players do in comparisonwith Best, Spievy and Fox.
- Not having fifth- and sixth round selections will depend on how well the Lions do after giving up those picks to acquire veteran players. Are guard Rob Sims, defensive tackle Corey Williams and cornerback Chris Houston going to be with the Lions for a long period of time or just stop gaps?
- Of the Lions' seventh round picks, I feel like defensive end Willie Young from NC State has the most potential. He is a little older than most picks (he'll be 25 in September), and has had some injuries issues. But he is athletic and easily could have been drafted much sooner.
Also, I don't understand why the Lions did not have select Michigan State wide receiver Blair White with the last pick in the draft. Bet he could play for them, and would be a strong special teams player. Instead, it was wide receiver Tim Toone, who is 25 years as well - a bit old for a developmental player - from a small school, Weber State.
My Column in Monday's Oakland Press - It never should have gotten to this point for the Red Wings: http://tinyurl.com/24xrumb
posted by Pat Caputo at
12:51 PM
4 Comments:
Pat,
I do not share your pessimism about Suh. I think he is a beast and a major building block for the Lions franchise. I'm no expert but successful teams have great front lines. That is what the Lions have focused on this offseason. When I look at the great teams and defenses of all time, they all had great defensive line play. Linebackers become all=pros when the d-line performs at a high level and keeps the o-line occupied. The Steelers always have great linebackers because their D-line dominates the line of scrimmage. Linebackers are pretty much plug and play when you have a great D-line. Just my opinion.
Alan
Alan,
I think you're misreading what I feel about Suh. I do feel he will be a good player - solid at the minimum. But in order to justify his spot in the draft, he has to be better than just good or even very good. There is chance he will do that, but I don't think it's a sure thing like so many Lions fans apparently do.
Caputo
You're good on your assessment of the draft.
Trading up for Best was a crapshot. OK for a low 2nd rounder but there were some better choices on the defensive side .. he could be out after a few games on the sidelines.
But disagree on Spievey. Could be a good impact player on defense.
why, oh why, do the Lions continue to think they have to bolster the offense?
This defense is so bad that we have to score 38 points to win at best.
Shu is going to the big leagues. He will be surprised how well he gets kicked compared to the little league. Maybe a great D-man but he is in for a bit of reality.
Anonymous,
It normmally takes defensive linemen awhile to get used to the NFL level. But if Suh doesn't tear it up right away, it doesn't mean he eventually won't.
Caputo
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