The LIONS bounced back from a miserable start last year to finish up 7-9 with new leadership in several key positions including GM. But before the roster retooling process could even begin in February the team took a huge hit when future HOF WR CALVIN JOHNSON announced his retirement. It’s a huge blow to the team, especially MATT STAFFORD. Just when the team had solidified the receivers group with GOLDEN TATE, Megatron has left the building. So some serious WR selections should be a priority in this Draft, as well as some young, athletic additions to the secondary. Luckily, the team has 10 Picks in a deep Draft. Let’s help new GM BOB QUINN fill some needs.
Round 1, Pick 16 JACK CONKLIN/OT/MICHIGAN STATE 6’6/308
Let’s start with a local Michigander to help at their troublesome LT slot. The former walk-on loves to attack defenders in the run game, but he’s already pretty good in pass pro. He’s country strong, and pretty athletic. He might start at RT, but eventually I see him at LT with dependable RILEY REIFF sliding over to the RT position. IMO, CONKLIN is the best OT in this Draft once we get past a guy named TUNSIL. PP#15
Round 2, Pick 46 BRAXTON MILLER/WR/OHIO STATE 6’1/201
This would be a “gamble on greatness” from a player who two years ago was the Big Ten’s Offensive Player of the Year as a QB. Because of a bad shoulder he switched to WR and has made good progress in the change. His upside would seem to be huge. A round later the LIONS would not even get a sniff of him. The pressure will be for BRAXTON to step up right away, and the pressure will be on the LIONS to show patience as he learns. A great athlete, with a high ceiling is worth this pick. PPP#45
Round 3, Pick 95 TYVIS POWELL/S/OHIO STATE 6’3/211
Another dip into the talent pool that is the Buckeyes, could land the team a long time starter with Pro Bowl potential. I like his overall play better than that of teammate VONN BELL. His 4.48/40 from the Combine is most impressive. He is a solid tackler (71T) as well as a nifty pass defender (3INT/3PBU). Every player faces a challenge in transitioning from college to pro, but POWELL has the tools to make that step and quickly. If he doesn’t start coming out of the pre-season I predict he will by October. PP#94
Round 4, Pick 111 WILLIE HENRY/DT/MICHIGAN 6’3/303
I like the idea of sticking close to home with all these Big Ten guys. They should have little trouble adapting to life in the Midwest as pros. HENRY is a tough, strong guy with some nice physICal traits like 33 3/8″ arms. I would expect him to have no problem earning playing time behind NGATA & WALKER. He pursues the ball well and can penetrate into the backfield with solid hand use (10 7/8″) and a quick first step. If the LIONS use multiple defensive schemes he would be a good fit inside or out. Solid player. PP#106
Round 5, Pick 151 KENTRELL BROTHERS/ILB/MISSOURI 6’0/245
BROTHERS may not be a Combine star, but perhaps more importantly he makes plays. How about 152 tackles (no misprint) in the tough SEC. His 4.87/40 at the Combine hurt his prospect ranking, but he clearly plays faster than that in pads. Father Time is catching up with MLB TULLOCH, and BROTHERS should be a guy able to step in when the time is right. He even earns praise as a Special Teamer who blocked 3 kicks last season. PP#153
ROUND 5, PICK 169 JEFF DRISKEL/QR/LOUISIANA TECH 6’4/234
Even though MATTHEW STAFFORD is still only 28-years old, but entering his 8th NFL season. He takes a beating, but keeps on ticking. But it might be time to pick up a young, developmental QB. DRISKEL, once the top QB recruit in HS Football, wilted under the bright lights in his home state of Florida. But he finished his college career with a flourish under the loving tutelage of SKIP HOLTZ. he has the size arm and athleticism to excel at the highest level. His 4.48/40 at the Combine gives you an idea how good of an athlete he is, at 234 lbs. He has 9 3/4″ hands, and got control of his fastball under HOLTZ throwing only 8 INT, compared to 27 TD. His picture is in the dictionary right beside the definition of “developmental QB”. PP#170
Round 6, Pick 191 KALAN REED/CB/SOUTHERN MISS 5’11/191
REED was almost invisible playing for a rebuilding program most of his career. But he started getting pub after the NFLAPA Game and his school’s Pro Day. He is decent sized with decent speed and seems to have a nose for the ball. At the worst REED starts his career in Detroit as a sub-package guy, but competing for a starting job may not be far off in his pro career. Solid pick here. PP#190
Round 6, Pick 202 KOLBY LISTENBEE/WR/TCU 6’0/197
A rocket in this year’s relatively pedestrian WR group, with a Combine time of 4.34 in the 40. He consistently took the top off of college secondaries and showed some nice running ability after the catch. His hands are fairly small, at 8 1/4″, which probably helps explain some drops. the former track All-America can go get it. It will be up to the LIONS coaching staff to help develop his skills. PP#201
Round 6, Pick 210 PEYTON BARBER/RB/AUBURN 5’10/228
JOIQUE BELL is gone and it leaves the running game with some exciting but lightweight guys (ABDULLAH/REDDICK) as their primary ball carriers. BARBER, who had 1000+ yard season last Fall in build very much like BELL. His forte is between the tackles power and that could be just what this roster needs. Nice try here in Round 6. PP#211
Round 7, Pick 236 TED KARRAS/OG/ILLINOIS 6’4/308
Let’s finish off their Draft effort with another Big Ten guy, and the grand nephew of former LIONS great ALEX KARRAS, of Paper Lion fame. He’s a big framed, tough guy whose grandpa also played in the NFL. KARRAS was at the Shrine venue and was a steady performer all week long. Let’s not call him a legacy pick, but another stout body in their OL group is not a bad thing at all. PP#234
THat’s it for the LIONS as they hope to stop the slide and get back into contention in a tough NFC North. This group should help the cause.
Pigskin
