Lions OFFICIAL 2015 NFL draft thread.

[lionstop1]

He doesn't dance around and has great hands, but I can't call someone who ran a 4.6 explosive. I think he will be a solid player, but if the Lions were looking for a homerun threat, IMO, they should have went with Duke Johnson or Tevin Coleman.

You can't go wrong with his character or his hands though. I read he hasn't dropped a pass in 2 years. I guess it all depends how the Lions are going to use them.

I think he plays faster than what his forty time shows. Duke had a slow time also. I think the Lions decided to go with Abdullah over Coleman because Abdullah offers more catching and he can return kicks.

 

[TBBishop]

He will fill the return role as well as the third down back. Lions going for the change of pace guy instead of an every down back like Coleman.

I can say I do not care for the Abdullah pick not with Coleman on the board. IMO this pick reduces Theo Riddick's role on the team. If Coleman was not what the Lions wanted I would rather have them address the d-line with Davis.

The fumbling issue concerns me and his durability at 205lbs as well. If the Lions needed a Sproles type I would have been on board but they had Riddick??????

Riddick is my issue with this pick too. I think that Abdullah is a better player than Riddick, more talented, but certainly a similar skillset. I just don't see a need to get another runner like Riddick. My guess is though that they'll trust Abdullah more between the tackles where they didn't seem to trust Riddick at all. Add in the return game expectations and he can maybe, possibly live up to his draft status. I'm not as concerned about the fumbles, that's correctable. I guess what I mostly don't like about the pick is there were guys on the board that we need more and instead we got a guy similar to a guy we have.

 

[TBBishop]

When Trent Dilfer talks, the other three guys look at him like they would he would die.

They're just mad because he's Trent Dilfer and they're not!

 

[lionstop1]

He is if Lombardi uses him that way......If Lombardi runs him up the middle then I would expect him to fumble.....He's small, so fumbles will happen in the trenches......If Abdullah fumbles catching a bubble screen I will rethink him......

If Lombardi insists on running a little guy between the tackles smitty has every right to bitch, but I wouldnt bitch at Abdullah....I would bitch about the play calling.

I saw a site where they state Abdullah will take over the #1 role because he's a homerun hitter. Not sure about that because he needs to work on his blocking. But I'm sure with our big guards, he will definitely be running between the tackles. Wouldn't that be too predictable if every play for him is to the outside?

 

[TBBishop]

Does anyone else get the feeling that MR BPA Mayhew is drafting for need this time around?

When ask about his strategy last night take a guess at what he said.

 

[TBBishop]

He had 24 fumbles total but only 2 fumbles during his Senior year.

I read that he fumbled 4 times, losing 2.

 

[lionstop1]

Riddick is my issue with this pick too. I think that Abdullah is a better player than Riddick, more talented, but certainly a similar skillset. I just don't see a need to get another runner like Riddick. My guess is though that they'll trust Abdullah more between the tackles where they didn't seem to trust Riddick at all. Add in the return game expectations and he can maybe, possibly live up to his draft status. I'm not as concerned about the fumbles, that's correctable. I guess what I mostly don't like about the pick is there were guys on the board that we need more and instead we got a guy similar to a guy we have.

While both of them can be used in a similar way, I dont think they are that similar in playing style and how they change how the defense will play the Lions. The Lions know exactly what they have in Riddick (practice and games) and they know exactly what they need. Now, Abdullah is small and stout with great lateral movement, and makes players miss. Riddick lacks some of that. Abdullah is really good catching the ball and running routes which is similar to Riddick. The problem is that Riddick is a bit more one-dimensional than Abdullah, which makes it easier to keep Abdullah on the field.

 

[TBBishop]

I think he plays faster than what his forty time shows. Duke had a slow time also. I think the Lions decided to go with Abdullah over Coleman because Abdullah offers more catching and he can return kicks.

Everything you read about him talks about his speed. Obviously he's not slow and 40 times don't mean everything.

 

[lionstop1]

He's more quick than fast, but quickness can do some damage.

 

[lionstop1]

Here's my thoughts about everything up to this point:

I think the Lions priorities were OG, RB, and CB but they also wanted to find that dual threat that could help return kicks and play an important role on offense also. Especially if the rumor of them targeting Algulor is true. I think it was still best player available, which should always lineup with needs.

With Laken Tomlinson, they have the opportunity to have one of the best gaurd tandems in the league over the next couple of years. If Swanson plays well, that area becomes a strength. I think they let Lucas and Waddle battle it out on the right side which is a good decision, imo.

Ameer Abdullah is a solid pick, given it seems the team wasn't looking for a feature guy outside of the top 2 RBs. Abdullah should fit in nicely and should command a lot of attention when he's on the field. He'll probably play really well at home, on turf. With a revamped oline, I think him and Bell will have some opportunities.

Alex Cater is a good pick and will probably be worked in slowly which is an advantage. I trust that Austin had a hand in that pick and he sees some potential there. Im sure theyre hoping they got a starter in him for 2016.

Grade: B

 

[Old Lion]

I would be more concerned with the Carter pick TBH. I hope I am wrong and seem to be in the minority, but I see nothing special about him in coverage other than his ability to be physical. His hands are terrible and he does not have smooth transition in his turns. He seems to be a tweener.

Many scouts stated he is under-rated. Maybe it is because he does not show much on film. Grnated I only saw a few minutes of clips, but those were supposed to be his hi-lights.

If we did not have Austin, I would probably be questioning the pick. I am glad though that they addressed the position. They have drafted the exact positions I wanted with the exception of DT so far.

 

[lionstop1]

I can agree with that. There's not a whole lot to like about the guy but I think theyre hanging their hats on coaching him up because he has the potential.

 

[RobBase]

Riddick is my issue with this pick too. I think that Abdullah is a better player than Riddick, more talented, but certainly a similar skillset. I just don't see a need to get another runner like Riddick. My guess is though that they'll trust Abdullah more between the tackles where they didn't seem to trust Riddick at all. Add in the return game expectations and he can maybe, possibly live up to his draft status. I'm not as concerned about the fumbles, that's correctable. I guess what I mostly don't like about the pick is there were guys on the board that we need more and instead we got a guy similar to a guy we have.

I remember the Lions saying last year that they wanted to run a 3 RB platoon system like they did in New Orleans. Injuries happen, gotta keep these speed backs on the field to run this system.

 

[lionstop1]

I remember the Lions saying last year that they wanted to run a 3 RB platoon system like they did in New Orleans. Injuries happen, gotta keep these speed backs on the field to run this system.

Abdullah makes sense then.

 

[gandydancer]

LMAO, I was waiting for your smitty to come out about that pick........I''ll give him the benefit of the doubt until he turns into Ryan Raburn....

I think I heard a stat or a comment that he hasn't turned it over while recieving the ball in two years.....That has to make you a little less pissed.....

To me, he's a scat back type while I keep hearing some talk about inside the tackles runner....(he's to tiny for my liking) but i think he was drafted to play a Reggie Bush role on the out side and Bell still up the middle.

I knew you had some kool aid in ya.

 

[lionstop1]

Ill take Ekpre-OloEkpre-Olomu next if he is available

 

[gandydancer]

And somehow a DE that tips a ball in the air but the CB gets credit for a INT......Stats lie.......

I see it as two stats Muzz and neither lie. You have fumbles and fumbles lost.

I do agree that many stats lie, just not those two.

 

[gandydancer]

Putting the ball on the grass that many times in three seasons is high number. IMO similar to drop rate of Ebron. While it was and is a red flag. Those are both flags that can be coached. Now, whether the coaching works is a another issue. I'll let it play out.

I don't like it, but I got live with it. I wil wait a few years to grade Ameer.

 

[gandydancer]

I do love the pick as I have visions of Ross packing his bags.

After I learned last week that TJ Jones did some return work and Ameer can handle both. I am happy.

 

[broncosmitty]

A second round pick on a situational runner with fumbling issues, who returns kicks, and it sells well.

Kool Aid abounds with you people.