Detroit Lions

Overview

The Detroit Lions took baby steps to respectability last season by improving from 0-16 to 2-14.  The team still has a long ways to go until they are no longer a laughing stock in the league but they seem to have started digging themselves out in 2009.  The Lions currently own the second pick in the 2010 draft.

Assets

At times rookie quarterback Matthew Stafford looked like a rising star and at others he looked like a 21-year old kid who was in way over his head last season.  It is still too early to tell how Stafford is going to ultimately fair in the NFL, but, whatever the case may be he has a long way to go until he is considered a quality starting quarterback in the NFL.

Wide Receiver Calvin Johnson struggled with nagging injuries a lot of the season and had only a so-so season as he adjusted to playing with another new quarterback.  Johnson is as talented a receiver as there is in the league and is still considered one of the best young players in football.

Kevin Smith is a solid young between the tackles back but struggles to get yardage running behind what is a mediocre offensive line in Detroit.

Rookie tight end Brandon Pettigrew put up solid numbers given he missed the bulk of training camp and had his season cut short due to injuries last season.  A healthy Pettigrew gives Stafford another reliable target to throw to.

Defensively there is not a lot of positive things going on for a team that ranked dead last in the league in scoring defense, passing yards allowed, and total yards allowed.

MLB Larry Foote is the leader of the defense and paced the team in tackles and tackles-for-loss.

Rookie safety Louis Delmas was a pleasant surprise for the Lions finishing second on the team in tackles and passes defensed and tying for the team lead with two interceptions.  He also scored a pair of touchdowns, one on a fumble return and another on a 101-yard interception return.

When healthy linebacker Ernie Sims is a quality run stopper but he struggled to stay healthy and had to cut his season short to have shoulder surgery.

Needs/Liabilities

The Lions still have needs all over the place.  Obviously quarterback is not on the wish list for the next couple of seasons as they wait and see how Stafford pans out.

The team may be interested in finding another running back in the event Smith is unable to make it back in time for the start of next season, but, there are no indications that he will not.  Smith is decent enough, but, he really is nothing special.

The offensive line leaves a lot to be desired and finding someone to protect Stafford’s backside should be an off season priority this spring.

After Calvin Johnson there is nobody worth mentioning at wide receiver.  Bryant Johnson was a disappointment in his first season in Detroit and rookie Derrick Williams never emerged as the play-maker they hoped he would be.

Defensively the Lions forced only 23 turnovers and the team finished dead last with a -18 turnover ratio.  The defense registered just 9 interceptions and the pass rush logged only 26 sacks.

The only spots on defense that are not huge question marks are at linebacker and strong safety.  Every other position is likely to be considered up for grabs when the Lions open camp in July.

Grady Jackson is ancient and rookie Sammie Lee Hill was nothing special as a rookie as the two defensive tackles.  Honestly it is hard to find a defensive lineman that other teams have to worry about.  It is relatively devoid of any real play-makers.

William James is the only decent corner they have and that is not saying much.  Guys like Phillip Buchanon and Anthony Henry are not suited to be starting corners in the league and are better utilized as nickle and dime backs.

Bottom Line

Look for the Lions to take the best available defensive player when they select which is likely to be Oklahoma defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, unless the Rams decide to pass on Ndamukong Suh.  As it stands right now the odds on favorite is McCoy.  It seems unlikely they would have an interest in Eric Berry given the presence of Delmas at strong safety.

Dark horses for the Lions top pick could be offensive tackles Anthony Davis (Rutgers) and Russell Okung (Oklahoma State) if the they decide that protecting Stafford is of the utmost importance next season.

Defensive ends Everson Griffen (USC) and Ricky Sapp (Clemson) are strong possibilities for the Lions at the top of the second round.  The Lions desperately need someone who can get after the quarterback.

Cal running back Jahvid Best’s stock is plummeting after concussions cut his junior season short.  Best would give them a dynamic play-maker out of the backfield a-la Percy Harvin in Minnesota.  There is a decent possibility he falls out of the first round and a guy with his kind of speed will be awfully hard for the Lions to pass up.

Illinois wide out Arrelious Benn would potentially provide a nice compliment to Johnson.

South Florida’s Nate Allen or USC’s Taylor Mays, if he falls out of the first round, could be potential mates for Delmas at free safety.

USC tackle Charles Brown is a potential option for the Lions in the second round but could be a slight reach at 34 though.  He does seem like a fairly likely candidate though given the team’s need to find a quality left tackle.

Selvish Capers (WVU) is a potential third round tackle prospect the Lions could key on with the 66th pick.

Mississippi’s Dexter McCluster is a smaller version of Jahvid Best and would be a nice fit as a change-of-pace compliment to Smith in the Lions backfield and should be there at the top of the third.

Iowa corner Amari Spievey could give the Lions a potential upgrade in the secondary out of the third round as could Michigan’s Donovan Warren, though 66 could be a bit of a reach for Warren.