Grading the NFL Draft for the Lions

With the NFL Draft ending on Saturday, it is now time to grade the Lions draft and the strategy used by GM Martin Mayhew and Head Coach Jim Schwartz.  Here is the pick-by-pick analysis for the Lions.

Lions first round draft pick Riley Reiff helps the Lions
continue building the team.

Round 1- Riley Reiff; OT, Iowa:  The Lions made the right move by staying still rather than reaching and trading up to to get a corner.  With waiting to select 23rd overall, the small run on pass rushers in the first round allowed Reiff, a projected top ten pick, to fall right into the Lions lap.  With the "glaring" need at corner, it was difficult for many people to see that rebuilding the offensive line was actually the biggest need for Detroit to address this draft.  Reiff will start at right tackle this year and will slide over to left tackle to replace Jeff Backus.


Round 2- Ryan Broyles; WR, Oklahoma:  If you are like me, you were greatly surprised at this pick.  Most people wanted the corner to be drafted here, I wanted Wisconsin center Peter Konz with this selection, but Broyles has talent and was too high on the Lions' draft board.  Broyles, who is also recovering from a torn ACL, is mainly just a pick for the future with Nate Burleson's contract ending next year, so Lions fans will have to wait to see the impact Broyles actually makes.


Round 3- Dwight "Bill" Bentley; CB, Louisiana-Lafayette: Great pick for the Lions addressing the need at corner with Louisiana-Lafayette's Bill Bentley.  Corner was a need mainly for depth because the secondary began to struggle after the starters got injured.  Bentley could turn out to be a steal with his athleticism and ability to play corner, but he fell in the draft because he went to a small school.

New Lions LB Ronnell Lewis can help rush the passer.

Round 4- Ronnell Lewis; LB/DE, Oklahoma: If it wasn't for Reiff in the first round, this would be my favorite pick in the draft.  Lewis had a second round pick grade on him, but somehow fell to the Lions in the fourth round.  Lewis can play at outside linebacker or have his hand in the dirt at defensive end.  Either way, the Lions should use Lewis' talents to help rush the passer.

Round 5- Tahir Whitehead; LB, Temple: The Lions traded up in the fifth round to select Whitehead.  Will be used mainly as depth at linebacker, but his speed will make him valuable on special teams.
Chris Greenwood; CB, Albion: The Lions used their second pick in the fifth round on Albion College product Greenwood.  The Detroit native brings size and speed to the cornerback position for the Lions.  Like Bentley, Greenwood could be a potential steal who only fell in the draft because he went to a small school.

Round 6- Jonte Green; DB, New Mexico State:  The Lions now have another athlete in the secondary after taking Green in the sixth round.  Could be more valuable on special teams.

Round 7- Travis Lewis; LB, Oklahoma:  With their final pick, the Lions selected another product of Oklahoma.  Lewis brings more depth to the team at linebacker and yet again, could find his niche on special teams.

Notable Undrafted Free Agents: Kellen Moore; QB, Boise State: Could be the potential backup quarterback in the future after Shaun Hill's time in Detroit is over.

With the accumulation of the eight draft picks and the pickup of Moore following the draft, the Lions found help in the offensive line and the future left tackle, a receiver who will help make Detroit's passing game even more, another pass rusher, and depth at linebacker and in the secondary along with the future backup quarterback.  The Lions made all the right moves despite what many of the fans think and I will give them an "A" grade on this draft.