Let’s go out a bit on that limb, that is the Draft, and project this Draft as one that must match up favorably with the 2022 effort from the new LIONS Hierarchy that consists primarily of GM Brad HOLMES, HC DAN CAMPBELL, Senior Personnel Director JOHN DORSEY and their entire Personnel Dept. The LIONS turned a corner last season both on and off the field. This Draft is critical because I am projecting this team to win the NFC North. And due to the stellar efforts from the above mentioned folks the talent added last year, plus having 5 Picks in the Top 81 of this year’s Draft, they have a chance to fill a few remaining soft spots and make hay while the sun shines, so to speak.
Round 1, Pick 6 DEVON WITHERSPOON CB Illinois 6’/180 They traded away CB/OKUDAH last week opening up the door for the exact opposite profile of a CB. WITHERSPOON is a bit small, especially when you realize the tenacity he plays with. But he is fearless, with a nice touch of positional awareness for his role out on the field. He just had a healthy workout which was conducted by LIONS personnel/coaching staff. He’s a starter with only the timing and exact role he is to play to be determined in Training Camp.
Round 1, Pick 18 MYLES MURPHY DE/ER Clemson 6’5/270 Rumor has it that they would consider BIJAN ROBINSON here, but in my Draft world he’s already gone. MIKE MAYER/TE/Notre Dame might be here, but they will take a TE a bit later in a deep, talented TE class. I prefer to call MURPHY a DE, who has exceptional rush skills. They can now clear some Cap Space by releasing a couple vet back-ups who don’t live up to their pay check level.
Round 2, Pick 48 ZACH CHARBONNET RB UCLA 6’/215 This means the LIONS top RB duo has been changed to MONTGOMERY/VFA & CHARBONNET. They lost their top RB from last year in Jamaal WILLIAMS to VFA/Saints. This may also allow them to jettison oft-injured SWIFT and save serious dollars.
Round 2, Pick 55 STEVE AVILA IOL TCU 6’4/330 In the power running game they want to operate with this man is a powerful, massive weapon. Not a glamorous Pick, but certainly a steady, seasoned vet who can bully people around. Another potential starter somewhere on the inside.
Round 3, Pick 81 SIAKI IKA NT Baylor 6’3/335 Speaking of bullies… here’s one to clog up the line-of-scrimmage and to free up LIONS LB for tackling ball carriers. It certainly appears to me that LEVI ONWUZURIKE spends much more time in the trainers room than he does out on the field. MURPHY & IKA can share some of those duties while providing depth in the trenches where the LIONS scheme needs added quality help.
Round 5, Pick 152 WILL MALLORY TE Miami (F) 6’4/240 They have the big boys at this position, especially BROCK WRIGHT. But how about the fastest TE at the Combine, to help round out that TE group, at a Rookie price for the next few years. If they could find a trading partner to take their 2 Round 5 Picks to move up to early Round 4, perhaps they could get local collegian LUKE SCHOONMAKER, who showed in 2022 that he could do but all as a TE. I don’t do trades but Brad Holmes does.
Round 5, Pick 159 CLAYTON THUNE QB Houston 6’3/220 They need a young developmental QB, at the very least. THUNE is seriously underrated, IMO. He earned a RAS score of 9.80. He has lots of experience and improved his stats just about every season in college. Arm strength is good, and he can extend plays with 4.64/40 speed as recorded at the Combine.
Round 6, Pick 183 JAKE MOODY PK Michigan 6’1/210 If you are winning your division you are likely to be playing in multiple tight games in a 17 game season. The LIONS have been shuffling PK around in recent years. They had the best PK in this year’s Draft playing right down the road in Ann Arbor. Go get him now guys!
Round 6, Pick 194 BEN VanSUMEREN LB Michigan State 6’2/235 Let’s keep the fan base happy, and grab another “local” college guy in VanSUMEREN who was arguably the best Spartan defender last year. His testing numbers surprised me and at the least he looks like a potential stud for playing Special Teams for the LIONS. JAMES HOUSTON is a really productive Edge Rusher, but I am not sure this guy isn’t better at SLB on early downs.
They have the juice with RODGERS leaving the PACK, DA BEARS rebuilding their their roster and the Vikings aging, especially on Defense. These guys strike me as the kind of players they want to bite some knee caps and help push them past the other 3 teams.
Cheers
Pigskin
