By: Larry Sternberg
Things have really changed in the world of the Detroit Lions. It seemed that the lowly Lions were always drafting in the first few picks. Matt Millen would waste high round draft picks with all skill position players. Picks like Charles Rodgers, Joey Herrington, Mike Williams, and Ernie Sims still haunt the souls of Lions’ fans. Things have changed and so must the strategy for Detroit Lions NFL Draft Picks in 2012.
Team on the Rise
This year, the Lions do not pick until #23. That’s right. The Lions made the playoffs and were a winning team. Recent high picks such as Stafford, Su, and Johnson have all produced dividends. This is the main reason the Lions are the talk of the NFL as a team on the rise. The draft is where it all starts.
Fill Specific Needs
The Lions are now in a position to fit specific needs through the draft and add depth. They are pretty set at many positions but could use help in certain places.
First Round
The biggest need is in the defensive backfield. The Lions did not stop a pass very well even with a monster pass rush. Eric Wright, starting cornerback, left for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers leaving an immediate hole. The Lions have not addressed this problem in free agency and it just feels right.
The best CB available is thought to be Dre Kirkpatrick from Alabama. He will probably be taken early, so other choices include Morris Claiborne (LSU), Janoris Jenkins (N. Alabama) and maybe Stephon Gilmore (S. Carolina).
A better pick may be Janoris Jenkins. He played three seasons at University of Florida and then transferred to Northern Alabama. The guy has got some off-the-field issues but has the biggest upside for the position. He is a little undersized at 5’ 10’’ but has a world of talent.
Second Round
The Lions could go for a running back or offensive lineman. Jahvid Best is a huge question mark for the Lions going forward because the concussion issue may affect his entire career. Kevin Smith just got re-signed, but he is not an every-down starter.
A good pick may be David Wilson from Virginia Tech. He has breakaway speed and is a good size at 206 pounds. Wilson left college early, so he has more upside than some of the other backs.
Third Round
The Lions should build depth on the offensive line with a guy who will be a backup at first. A shot in the dark would be Kevin Zeitler out of Wisconsin. The guy is 6”4” and 314 pounds. He is a good, all-around athlete and comes from a program that translates to the NFL.
General Draft Strategy
In today’s NFL, the key to winning is a franchise quarterback and a strong draft. The quarterback is in place for the Lions, and a strong draft could mean more than a first round exit in the playoffs.
