Ryan Broyles: Not a bad draft pick.

The most surprising part of the 2012 draft if you are a Detroit Lions fan was the selection of Oklahoma wide receiver Ryan Broyles in the second round.  The selection of Broyles greatly angered many Lions fans who believed that the Lions had no choice but to select a corner such as Central Florida's Josh Robinson or Montana's Trumaine Johnson because of what they saw in the last two games last season against Green Bay and New Orleans.  Others, such as myself, wanted the Lions to draft another offensive lineman with Wisconsin center Peter Konz falling all the way out of the first round to the late second round.
But instead, when legendary running back Barry Sanders announced the 54th overall pick in the 2012 draft at the podium, he announced Broyles' name.  Criticism immediately followed towards general manager Martin Mayhew because he didn't follow the needs for the team and grab a corner but instead went with another wide reveiver even though the Lions are pretty solid at receiver.

Detroit Lions fans second round pick
WR Ryan Broyles to have an impact.

The fact of the matter is, however, is that the Broyles selection was not a bad pick.  Mayhew has made it known that he drafts specifically on the best player available on the board and not reaching based on the needs on the roster.
Broyles is the all-time leader in receptions in NCAA history with 349 catches, including 131 in 2010.  Broyles also added 4,586 yards and 45 touchdowns in his four-year career as a Sooner.
He also has the ability to return kicks in the NFL thanks to his speed and explosiveness.
Broyles' talent alone would have made him a first round or possibly even a top ten pick.  However, Broyles suffered a torn ACL in late November, which dropped his stock dramatically because of his immediate impact to an NFL team.
Broyles won't make much of impact for the Lions in 2012 either.  The depth chart at wide receiver looks like this: Calvin Johnson, Nate Burleson, Titus Young, and then Ryan Broyles.  However, Burleson is entering the fourth year of his expensive five year deal.  With Nate's contract being so large and with the troubles the Lions will have with cap room thanks to other large contracts on the roster.  With that being said, Burleson may be released before the 2013 season, and the Lions high powered offense will need to find the third wide receiver, and that is where Broyles comes in in the Lions' future plans.
So although Broyles may not have the impact for the upcoming season that many Lions fans were expecting from the first and second round picks, he has an impact for the future.  The selection of Broyles over a corner despite the needs, Mayhew should be applauded for sticking to his board and getting a plan for further beyond the next season.