2014 Detroit Lions draft picks thoughts and comments........

[lionstop1]

I'm slowly coming around to the idea it wasn't a bad draft for the Lions. I wouldn't have been upset with a WR at 10 so I guess I shouldn't be upset with TE at 10 if they use him more like a WR.

Like everyone else, I like the Van Noy pick.

I'm optimistic about Caraun Reid. Princeton guy....Maybe a rookie ivy league guy can instill some character in the locker room, something the Lions have been lacking for years.

When you think about Evans vs Ebron (assuming we picked Evans instead if available), there-s a bit of a difference how the Lions would use them. Ebron would be used in the slot a lot more than what Evans wouldve been. Plus, the Lions can bring him in tight any time they want. Lions want to get him match up on a LB, S or a nickle CB as much as possible. Evans would hardly ever see those match-ups.

With Ebron, the Lions can also come out in a lot of run looks but still have that major WR presence on the field. I can not tell . Enough (not that you dont know) all the different things the Lions can do with Ebron.

 

[lionstop1]

Totally agree with the bold. I really don't think even Lionstop1 is saying he is JG. Just he will fill the role of JG in the new offense.

Watkins will never be CJ. He might become a top 5 WR. I love having Megatron, but I sure as hell would not be upset if I was stuck with Julio or A.J.

Ebron will never be JG. He may be in the top 5 convo one day. That I will take over what was currently on the roster.

I'll never say Ebron is Graham. I perfer Ebron to be his own player, personally. Lombardi and Caldwell said that the offense would feature plays from the Saints, the Ravens, Rutgers, and some of the things that worked well for the Lions. Why we continue to think its going to be a duplicate of the Saints? Not sure.

I'm excited, personally. I want to see what they can come up with. I kept thinking about what Tampa has now but the Lions have more than that.

 

[themuzzer]

When you think about Evans vs Ebron (assuming we picked Evans instead if available), there-s a bit of a difference how the Lions would use them. Ebron would be used in the slot a lot more than what Evans wouldve been. Plus, the Lions can bring him in tight any time they want. Lions want to get him match up on a LB, S or a nickle CB as much as possible. Evans would hardly ever see those match-ups.

With Ebron, the Lions can also come out in a lot of run looks but still have that major WR presence on the field. I can not tell . Enough (not that you dont know) all the different things the Lions can do with Ebron.

One problem.....When Ebron is brought in on short yardage, that's not scaring a defense and neither is Pettigrew. Niether can block....

 

[TrustMeIamRight]

He's short (5'10") and compact (190 lbs), likes to tackle and is supposed to be sticky in his short-area coverage. He's also wicked fast.

Nevin is 5'9". Everything I read about him didn't shed a very good light on him. The one positive, he was used as a gunner on special teams and it said he excelled in that area. Here are the weaknesses listed on the NFL website.

Also -- he ran a 4.49 40, which is plenty fast for the position, but not what I would consider wicked fast.

WEAKNESSES Press technique needs refinement. Too often allows free release. Clutching, grabbing and incurring flags have been issues in the past. Ball skills are a work in progress. Leaves some production on the field. Inconsistent run supporter. Struggled to contain USC WR Marqise Lee.
DRAFT PROJECTION Round 7-Priority free agent

 

[gandydancer]

We needed a kicker so we drafted one. The kid from Rice went undrafted. Would have loved to have signed him as UDFA. I wonder if Kickalicous will be in camp again? I hope so. Kicking battle will be entertaining.

I read a article about Kickalicious. It said he was done with NFL. Money always changes minds??? Never know.

Just like last year and the pick of Martin. I agree, if Freese was the K they wanted then draft him. Once a kid is UDFA he there for anyone. Gamble on having 6th best rated kicker or the one you want. I posted a bio of Freese weeks ago. He is solid.

Anyone that will publicly hate on the pick of Martin now. Truly does not realize the ST aspect of the game and what that 5th pick did last year flipping the flip amny times.

Freese turns into a guy that kicks for ten years or more. He will surely contribute more than a 7th rouind project that most likely didn't make the team.

 

[lionstop1]

One problem.....When Ebron is brought in on short yardage, that's not scaring a defense and neither is Pettigrew. Niether can block....

Not really worried about that. What do you suggest?

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

I read a article about Kickalicious. It said he was done with NFL. Money always changes minds??? Never know.

Just like last year and the pick of Martin. I agree, if Freese was the K they wanted then draft him. Once a kid is UDFA he there for anyone. Gamble on having 6th best rated kicker or the one you want. I posted a bio of Freese weeks ago. He is solid.

Anyone that will publicly hate on the pick of Martin now. Truly does not realize the ST aspect of the game and what that 5th pick did last year flipping the flip amny times.

Freese turns into a guy that kicks for ten years or more. He will surely contribute more than a 7th rouind project that most likely didn't make the team.

all the way around on bold. I'm a ST's guy too. More important than most realize or willing to admit, IMO.

Martin's coffin corner punts or all that ended up inside the 20 last year was monumental for our defense vs prior 2 years of ? what's going to happen now ?. Yeah he had a couple muffs or shanks but 1st time on the big-stage, I was highly impressed.

Glad we got Freese, not a real strong leg but in my upcoming analysis to post for grading this years draft, I give Freese a high grade that most will laugh at. Agree, if Freese was their man, go get him before he disappears elsewhere, either by draft or UDFA. Now, yesterday, I did not see PK's this year warranting being drafted but I'm ecstatic Freese was, by the Lions. He might just become Jason Hanson 2.0.

 

[lionstop1]

Nevin is 5'9". Everything I read about him didn't shed a very good light on him. The one positive, he was used as a gunner on special teams and it said he excelled in that area. Here are the weaknesses listed on the NFL website.

Also -- he ran a 4.49 40, which is plenty fast for the position, but not what I would consider wicked fast.

I get that we dont really like the guy, but are we really sure there was better options?

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

Not really worried about that. What do you suggest?

Doubt it'll be Ebron anyways. (from muzzer's post stating when Ebron is brought in on short yardage, he won't scare anybody as a blocker)

Jumbo package with 6' 6 285 lb Mike Williams next to Reiff and Petti next to Waddle, if those 2 OT's stay in same position as last yr. Williams was a monster blocker at Bama whether on Left, right side or in the back-field as a H-back.

 

[lionstop1]

Doubt it'll be Ebron anyways. (from muzzer's post stating when Ebron is brought in on short yardage, he won't scare anybody as a blocker)

Jumbo package with 6' 6 285 lb Mike Williams next to Reiff and Petti next to Waddle, if those 2 OT's stay in same position as last yr. Williams was a monster blocker at Bama whether on Left, right side or in the back-field as a H-back.

Yep, I'm sure that's why they will keep Williams.

 

[themuzzer]

Not really worried about that. What do you suggest?

Hmm, I don't know, Maybe a little defense, but that isn't the Detroit M.O.

 

[TrustMeIamRight]

I get that we dont really like the guy, but are we really sure there was better options?

Personally, I would have rather the Lions just ignore the CB position all together after passing on all the top talent. I just don't see a reason to add another mid to late pick to a position overloaded with mid to late pick talent. Detroit has plenty of options to fill the nickel role -- they need someone to fill the #1 role.

Maybe they see him as possibly a valuable addition to the special teams?

There was still a lot of talent left to pick from there. Dakota Dozier is a guy some people talked about being drafted late 2nd round and could have been the replacement for Sims next year. Same with David Yankey. Ed Reynolds is another guy who slipped in the draft and would have given the Lions depth at the safety position. Aaron Murray or AJ McCarron would have given the Lions another option as the backjup QB.

Lawson just seemed like a wasted pick to me, as he doesn't fill any type of role other than possibly a backup to the slot CB and Detroit already has multiple guys to fill that role.

 

[tpaulus_2]

Nevin is 5'9". Everything I read about him didn't shed a very good light on him. The one positive, he was used as a gunner on special teams and it said he excelled in that area. Here are the weaknesses listed on the NFL website.

Also -- he ran a 4.49 40, which is plenty fast for the position, but not what I would consider wicked fast.

Everything, or just that one thing? I find it interesting that you neglected to post the "strengths" section of that same site where you posted his weaknesses. They had some nice things to say about him, too, believe it or not. They specifically mentioned his 34 pass break ups the last three seasons.

He ran a 4.42 at the combine per the CBS page I was using to look up prospects, so there's apparently some descrepency there. He also turned in a 4.38 at his pro day.

Nevin is 5'10". Your source says 5'9", mine says 5'10"- if you get to matter-of-factly state how tall he is based on what you read, so do I, I guess.

Here's a full assessment from the site I was using, better, imo, to list his strengths and weaknesses in interest of full disclosure:

STRENGTHS: While shorter than ideal, Lawson sports a compact, athletic frame with very good agility, fluid hips and the speed to turn and run with receivers. Very physical defender, especially as an open-field tackler, where he quickly closes on the ball-carrier and strikes them at the hips, encircling his arms and wrenching them to the ground emphatically.
Often asked to line up inside, showing the spatial awareness to handle playing the nickel and not relying on the sideline to protect himself. Highly confident defender, who varies his approach in man coverage, alternately punching the receiver to get a quality jam to impede their release or turning to run with them, demonstrating quick feet and a seamless turning motion. Good awareness in zone coverage.

Keeps his eyes peeled on the quarterback when in zone and breaks on the ball quickly. Times his arrival with the ball, showing the hand-eye coordination to break up passes, as well as developing ball-skills to pull off the interception.

WEAKNESSES: Obvious size concerns and won't fit in every scheme. Times his leaps well but will lose out to bigger receivers on jump-balls. Wraps his arms securely but is forced to 'wrassle' opponents to the ground because of his size. Improved ball-skills in 2013 but does not possess ideal hands for the interception, picking off just six of 37 passes defensed over the past three seasons.

 

[tpaulus_2]

Personally, I would have rather the Lions just ignore the CB position all together after passing on all the top talent. I just don't see a reason to add another mid to late pick to a position overloaded with mid to late pick talent. Detroit has plenty of options to fill the nickel role -- they need someone to fill the #1 role.

Maybe they see him as possibly a valuable addition to the special teams?

There was still a lot of talent left to pick from there. Dakota Dozier is a guy some people talked about being drafted late 2nd round and could have been the replacement for Sims next year. Same with David Yankey. Ed Reynolds is another guy who slipped in the draft and would have given the Lions depth at the safety position. Aaron Murray or AJ McCarron would have given the Lions another option as the backjup QB.

Lawson just seemed like a wasted pick to me, as he doesn't fill any type of role other than possibly a backup to the slot CB and Detroit already has multiple guys to fill that role.

Feel free to call me crazy here, but given that our DC is a defensive backs specialist, I'm betting there's a reason this particular kid was drafted, and I'm willing to bet it wasn't to be a back-up nickel back/ ST stud. Clearly this was a guy they liked and saw a role for to take him before they took Webster and risk missing the athletic DE they obviously coveted as well.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

4 all U Nevin Lawson hater's..I was too, at 1st...the following is JMO.. He unseats Bill "Bullet" Bentley is my projection and I was pissed at the selection last night for the sole purpose Mayhew bypassed FSU's Telvin Smith. I went back and watched 4-5 videos of this kid and he's a baller. I've tried twice now to send in my analysis for draft grades, only to be eaten up by the internet both times... Watch out for this kid in camp !!!


Here comes BigLaR, Smitty.. not now, as I have to break them down by round, NOW

 

[themuzzer]

Feel free to call me crazy here, but given that our DC is a defensive backs specialist, I'm betting there's a reason this particular kid was drafted, and I'm willing to bet it wasn't to be a back-up nickel back/ ST stud. Clearly this was a guy they liked and saw a role for to take him before they took Webster and risk missing the athletic DE they obviously coveted as well.

I'll play the hater card. What makes you think our DC is a defensive back specialist?

When we get scored upon for over 30 points a game, You can come tell me again how special he is.


FYI, I'm not hating on him, But the Lions didn't address what's going to cost them 30 points a game next year.

I've been wrong before but pretty sure I predicted the Lions to be 7-9 last year and nailed it while some had 13-3....Nothing has changed. Teams will still throw on us and rack up big points.

 

[broncosmitty]

I've been wonderin' what BigLar's been up to this offseason....

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

Feel free to call me crazy here, but given that our DC is a defensive backs specialist, I'm betting there's a reason this particular kid was drafted, and I'm willing to bet it wasn't to be a back-up nickel back/ ST stud. Clearly this was a guy they liked and saw a role for to take him before they took Webster and risk missing the athletic DE they obviously coveted as well.

THIS

sometimes we're all so stuck on "who we want" that we become so damn closed minded and cannot see what stands out with other players that weren't talked about... ......JMO

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

I've been wonderin' what BigLar's been up to this offseason....

I'm coming 4 ya Smitty... it won't be long as I've tried twice now to get my draft grade analysis in..

R U EXCITED

 

[broncosmitty]

I'll play the hater card. What makes you think our DC is a defensive back specialist?

When we get scored upon for over 30 points a game, You can come tell me again how special he is.


FYI, I'm not hating on him, But the Lions didn't address what's going to cost them 30 points a game next year.

I've been wrong before but pretty sure I predicted the Lions to be 7-9 last year and nailed it while some had 13-3....Nothing has changed. Teams will still throw on us and rack up big points.

He WAS a Dback, has been a defensive backs coach at several places (including those Sqwuaks you love to Sqwuawk aboot.) and has stated numerous times his focus is the secondary since he was hired. There were plenty on defensive backs I had my eyes on, that we passed up. But it doesn't change the fact Austin is a Dback specialist.