- The best top-end talent is at wide receiver. There are several who figure to be available when the Lions draft tonight, who would likely start this coming season. That is either n the second or third round.
The one I feel fits best is Terrance Williams from Baylor. He was a versatile and productive college player, who showed well at the Senior Bowl. Great athlete. Ranked higher by most draft gurus and still on the board than Williams are Justin Hunter from Tennessee and Keenan Allen from Cal. Both are good. Robert Woods from USC, too. I think Allen will be better than Hunter, but he has had some injury issues. There will be a lot of very good wide receivers there for the Lions in the third round should they pass on one in  the second. Two I think will be productive NFL players are Steadman Bailey from West Virginia and Markus Wheaton from Oregon State. They were just flatout tremendous football players with solid tangible skills. I can't imagine it wouldn't translate to NFL production.
There are many others. Quinton Patton, from Louisiana Tech and Aaron Dobson from Marshall aren't mentioned enough. Ryan Swope from Texas A&M is overhyped.

Brian Winters: Offensive lineman fits Lions

- I think the best defensive back left on the board is Johnthan Banks from Mississippi State. He was a brilliant college player, whose stock dropped simply because of his 40 time. Yet, he was very good return man in the SEC. He also projects as an NFL safety if needed, which may be the Lions' need given Louis Delmas' injury history and the recent off-the-field issues of Amari Spievey. Boise State's Jamar Taylor has speed and a chance to be an impact NFL player. Robert Alford from Southeastern Louisiana would be an outstanding pick for the Lions in the third round. He is a cornerback with legitimate high-end speed. Of the two cornerbacks from UConn, I think Bildi Wreh-Wilson is better than Dwayne Gratz. I wouldn't take either early in the second round, though.
I don't understand the infatuation with Banks' teammate at Mississippi State, Darius Slay. The best defensive back regardless of position remaining in the draft is Jonathan Cyprien from Florida International, but he is a safety. Where Banks fits is he can play either corner or safety.
- The Lions need offensive line. The offensive lineman remaining on the board I feel will be the best NFL player is guard Brian Winters from Kent State. He mostly played tackle in college but was a major reason Kent State moved onto the map unexpectedly. He's huge, has decent athleticism and is a classic mauler, which is perfect for guard in the NFL. This kid is going to start for a decade in the league. Very underrated. He is a much better player than any of the tackles remaining on the board. Barrett Jones from Alabama is overvalued by many fans because he got so much pub at Alabama.
- I don't see the Lions taking an inside linebacker in these rounds, but they did have Manti Te'o in for a visit, and he is the best player, regardless of position, left on the board.  Kevin Riddick from North Carolina has value in the third round. The outside linebacker pickings are somewhat slim. Honestly, given the Lions' needs elsewhere, I don't see a pure outside linebacker I'd draft tonight.
- Otherwise: If he is there in the third round, defensive end Alex Okafur from Texas could help the Lions. The fit would, however, depend on what they do in t
he second round.