Lions Super Bowl (NFL Draft) Preview

The running joke is that for Lions fans, the NFL Draft is their Super Bowl. Certainly when you have a Top Five or Top Ten pick annually (like this year with number five), tension is high for a franchise to make it count.

With the number five pick, it is hard to assess exactly who the Lions will pick Thursday given the unpredictable top four of this draft, however it can be narrowed down based on team needs and what was done in free agency. To recap:

Reggie Bush is a Lion: The “big” free agent pick up for the Lions this off season has been running back Reggie Bush, who won the Heisman at USC and won a Super Bowl with the Saints. Bush is expected to take the Jahvid Best role in the backfield as someone who can run outside and catch Stafford’s passes. The thinking goes that the Lions were 5-0 to start 2011 – the last time Best was healthy. Since that time, the Lions have gone 9-18 (not counting the playoff loss to the Saints). Bush is older than Best so it remains to be seen what he has left. But Lions players and coaches sound hopeful that he will add an element that was missing to the offense. Draft Impact: I would be shocked if the Lions drafted another running back.

Backus, Peterman and Cherilus are no longer Lions: The offensive line will be retooled in 2013 with the retirement of Jeff Backus at left tackle, the releasing of Stephen Peterman as the right guard and the free agent departure of Gosder Cherilus to the Colts. The Lions have Riley Reiff – last year’s first round pick from Iowa – to plug in at guard or tackle. His position is in limbo based on what the Lions do in the draft, but my guess is that he plays on the right side of the line. The Lions are also hoping that former fourth round pick Jason Fox wins the right tackle job in training camp. Draft Impact: The Lions could use a starter – especially at the left tackle position that protects Stafford’s blind side.

Second Wide Receiver remains a concern: The Lions never ending quest to find a receiver to compliment Calvin Johnson continues – likely somewhere in this draft (although not in the first round I hope). Bad picks and injury luck have put pressure on the front office to get it right this year. The Lions did offer contracts to two free agents who could have filled in for a year, but they did not sign. Draft Impact: The position has no star in the draft, but some depth that should help the Lions find someone on Day 2 (Rounds 2 or 3).  

Where is the pass rush? The Lions correctly released struggling veteran defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch this off season. They also correctly let defensive end Cliff Avril and linebacker Justin Durant leave in free agency. The lone addition has been free agent defensive end Jason Jones, who played at Eastern Michigan and is a better, younger fit for the Lions scheme. Draft Impact: The pass rush must be addressed in this draft in the form of a defensive end or linebacker.

Secondary should improve: The Lions are starting to get serious about addressing their struggling secondary with the free agent signing of Glover Quinn from the Texans. As a former cover corner converted to safety, Quinn will pair with returning safety Louis Delmas to create a dynamic pair (assuming Delmas can remain healthy). The Lions also resigned their best corner Chris Houston. Across the league, the corner position is being devalued with the rare exception of Darrelle Revis (now with the Bucs after a trade from the Jets). There is some wisdom in looking at corner in this draft, although the Lions may try to find help from three lower 2012 draft picks at the position – two that barely saw the field due to injuries. Draft Impact: I expect the Lions to draft at least one cornerback by the third round.

New Kicker in town: 42-year-old kicker Jason Hanson retired this off season. He was a significant, long time figure on the team. There was some discussion about him coming back, but the contract never got worked out and Hanson claimed injury was the cause. He will be missed, but the Lions did get younger at the position by signing 38-year-old David Akers for next season. As a fan, I have never been older than the Lions kicker and that streak will continue for another year. Draft Impact: Probably won’t draft a kicker to compete with Akers, but I would not be surprised if the Lions drafted a punter in the late rounds.

So who do they draft in Round 1? As a 4-12 football team a year ago, the Lions have many holes to fill. They filled some of them in free agency, like running back and safety. From my perspective, a strong team starts in the trenches with solid offensive and defensive line play. Both lines are in flux at the moment after a few seasons of stability. The NFL places a premium on big men that can rush the passer and protect the passer.  

From a freakish athletic standpoint, there is a significant drop off between a lineman in the first round versus a lineman in the later rounds. That is why I see them picking a big man early in this draft. Some names to watch include: Rochester Hills/Central Michigan offensive tackle Eric Fisher, Texas A&M offensive tackle Luke Joeckel, Oklahoma offensive tackle Lane Johnson, Alabama offensive guard Chance Warmack, Oregon defensive end Dion Jordan, and BYU defensive end Ziggy Ansah. It sounds like the teams in the top four are keying on the three offensive tackles, so the Lions may need to look at the defensive ends or the guard.

I will not be disappointed if the Lions go for Alabama cornerback Dee Milliner at number five (he has been projected as going to the Lions in early mock drafts). Milliner would join Houston, Quinn and Delmas to form a good secondary on paper. My point is that the drop off between Milliner and a corner in the later rounds will not be as significant as the drop off between the linemen listed above and players in the later rounds.

Whatever happens, enjoy the Lions Super Bowl (I mean the NFL Draft) this week.

I have been a die hard Lions fan since 1991. I played football in high school and began a college playing career at Wayne State before hanging up the cleats. I will try to provide a perspective on my favorite NFL team for the Patch.