A
Haason Reddick / Jarrad Davis. The Lions are desperately thin at linebacker. Following the release of Deandre Levy and the team's foolish decision not to re-sign Josh Bynes, the Lions currently have only 1 NFL caliber linebacker in Tahir Whitehead. Help is definitely needed at the weakest position on the roster. Haason Reddick is a edge defender turned linebacker out of temple. Reddick may need time to learn the linebacker position, but he is going to be a star. Reddick has the athleticism, football mind, and pass rushing skill set to be an impact player sooner rather than later. Jarrad Davis, an emotional defensive leader at the linebacker position for Florida, is built in the mold of D'onta Hightower and is surely on the radar of Belichick and his disciples. The Lions desperately need to improve their linebacker corps.
C
Taco Charlton/Derek Barnett. The Lions have lacked a superior pass rush for a long time since the days of Kyle Vanden Bosch and Cliff Avril. With the 2013 selection of Ezekiel Ansah, the Lions finally have a superstar at the position. However, outside of Ansah the Lions lack depth. Last years opening day starter across from Ansah, Devin Taylor, is currently a street free agent and is not generating much interest even as a 27 year old pass rusher. Taylor was overtaken by journeymen Kerry Hyder, who had the best season he could ever hope of having. Hyder, an Exclusive Rights Free Agent, does not exactly inspire confidence at the position. Taco Charlton and Derek Barnett are both the size of prototypical 4-3 Defensive Ends which may cause them to take a slight fall in the draft due to the lack of teams that employ that scheme. Barnett has gotten more hype thus far in the draft process, but Taco could easily end up being the better pro.
F
David Njoku. A tall, long, athletic speedster at the tight end position with questionable hands and work ethic. I am, of course, referring to both Njoku and incumbent Lions tight end Eric Ebron. With Ebron still in his rookie deal, and the team signing Darrin Fells this off season, the top 2 at the tight end position seem set for the immediate future. Njoku could turn into a good player in his own right, and he may even out perform the lofty expectations that Ebron struggled to overcome. However, the Lions have so many needs especially on the defensive side of the ball, that a luxury pick such as the #3 or #2 tight end would bring back visions of Matt Millen selecting wide receivers every first round.
A
Jordan Willis. My personal favorite prospect in this entire draft class, Willis would immediately take on the starting weak defensive end spot across from Ezekiel Ansah. Willis put on a dominating display at the combine, grading out with the highest RAS since 1999 for a linebacker and a top 15 score at the EDGE position. Willis fits Detroit's athletic profile at the position and seems to be the kind of pick that Belichick disciples select.
C
Fabian Moreau / Kevin King / Adoree' Jackson. As the draft approaches, it looks less and less likely that any of these 3 terrific cornerbacks will last until the 54th pick. However, the Lions are desperate for outside cornerback help. Darius Slay is a tremendous cover corner, but needs help on the opposite side of him. A high round pick at corner could push Nevin Lawson to his slot position, which would provide the Lions with 2 upgrades stemming from one singly pick. Moreau from UCLA has a top 10 RAS at the cornerback position since 1999, and is the most likely to fall to the Lions second round pick. Moreau doesn't necessarily pop out on film, but his size and athletic measurables make him a potential gem for a talented D-Coordinator. Kevin King is often referred to as the "Other" Washington DB behind Sidney Jones and Budda Baker, but King is no slouch of his own. King dominated the combine and has shot up from a day 3 pick to a potential day 1 pick during this draft process. King seems destined to be selected by a team like the Seahawks in the second half of the 1st round. Adoree' Jackson is the least likely to be on the board for this pick out of the 3 selected corners. Jackson has a first round pedigree, but questions about his size and his Pac-12 competition will (hopefully) push him down some draft boards.
F
Zach Cunningham / Tyus Bowser. As desperate as the Lions are at the linebacker position, I strongly hope that if they don't address the position in the first round then they don't take a reach in the second. Cunningham was often hyped as a first round prospect during the draft process, but as scouts have had time to dissect his film it has become apparent that Cunningham will take as much time to develop as Reddick or Bowser. With his rail-thin frame, I would rather have a mid-round developmental prospect. Tyus Bowser has shot up draft boards since the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. Bowser put on a monster display to rival Haason Reddick as the most athletic linebacker prospect. However, it is my opinion that Bowser does not have the skill set or the size to play linebacker in a 4-3 defense. Conventional wisdom says that you can mold an athletic player to fit any scheme, but coming from stat-inflating Houston, Bowser could end up being one of the biggest reaches in the draft.
A
Chris Wormley. Chris Wormley is an underrated prospect expected to go in the second half of the 2nd round. Wormley consumed blocks at the 5T position at Michigan. He often cleared space by taking on double teams which resulted in fellow line mate Taco Charlton to be left one on one vs the offensive line. Charlton is a great prospect in his own right, so it speaks volumes that teams often chose to double team Wormley instead of Charlton. The Lions got a steal last year with A'Shawn Robinson in the second frame, but will need a space eating 5T to replace Haloti Ngata considering his age and the fact that this is the final year on his contract.
C
Duke Riley / Alex Anzalone. Both Riley and Anzalone I believe will be better pros than the linebackers mentioned in the last round. Riley was a dominant leader at LSU, and Anzalone held his own across from Jarrad Davis. The Lions could add more than 1 linebacker in this draft.
F
Joe Mixon. I think Mixon has been projected to go much higher than where he will actually be selected. Mixon is a women beater and have 2 active NFL investigations stemming from an assault against women during his time at Oklahoma with video evidence, and a recently surfaced allegation of abuse against women from his high school. The Lions finished 30th and 32nd in the last 2 years in rushing offense, but with their new & improved offensive line, I think that Ameer Abdullah and Theo Riddick should be able to hold down most of the RB touches.
A
Sidney Jones / Jake Butt. Both Jones & Butt were considered first round prospects before each tore their Achilles. The 4th round is the appropriate time to take a high potential player that likely won't be able to make any meaningful contributions until his sophomore year.
C
George Kittle / Gerald Everett / Adam Shaheen. With Ebron on the 4th year of his rookie contract and Darrin Fells on a 1 year deal, it is plausible that the Lions should take a tight end on day 3 of the draft. Luckily, this class is one of the deepest tight end groups in recent memory.
F
Davis Webb / Nathan Peterman. The Lions released Dan Orlovsky this offseason, leaving a vacant hole at their #2 QB position. With Stafford only 28 and no real durability issues since his sophomore year, the Lions would be wise to spend this valuable draft capitol on a position with a bigger need.
A
Jalen Myrick / Howard Wilson.
C
Ardarius Stewart, Shelton Gibson, Ryan Switzer. Outside of Golden Tate and Marvin Jones, the Lions lack depth at the wide reciever position. Coupled with the fact that Anquan Boldin likely won't be re-signed, the Lions should add a receiver during the middle rounds of the draft class.
F
Any RB. Running backs bust more often than not when selected after the 4th round.
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