The Official 2014 Lions Draft Thread

[Gulf of Brazil]

Defensive tackle: This has become a position of need as all three of the top tackles are free agents next season. Suh will likely be extended, but Fairley is probably in his last season. I just don’t see the Lions giving him a big contract if he has a huge 2014 season and I don’t see him coming back if he has another down year. C.J. Mosely isn’t a long term fix, so even if Suh is extended, the Lions have a long term need. It is very rare that defensive tackles make an impact in their rookie years, so the best time to draft one is before you have a pressing need for one. The Lions have two of the most respected defensive line coaches in the NFL, so I believe they feel they can take a player in a lower round and coach him up. My expectation is a draft card with a defensive tackle on it between the third and sixth round.


from Freep writer Anthony Kuehn

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

Linebacker: There has been a lot of discussion since the owners meetings about the Lions’ desire to add a pass-rushing threat at linebacker. Teryl Austin is expected to blitz more than his predecessors and teams can never have enough pass rushers. Two things make me question this recent linebacker-centric approach. First, the Lions are in a win-now mode and the only pass-rushing linebacker that could be available at 10 was a running back two years ago. The Lions rolled the dice last season on a raw defensive player in the top 10, but they spent a week coaching Ziggy Ansah and Mayhew said that was the deciding factor behind the risk. They haven’t had anything near that opportunity with Anthony Barr. Secondly, Mayhew has never openly discussed team needs, especially not leading up to the draft. Every piece of information you hear from a team this time of year has motivation behind it. I would not be surprised if the Lions are merely putting out a smokescreen with this “news.” I do believe the Lions will take a linebacker in the first four rounds, but I’m not totally buying the desire to do so in the first round. If Kahlil Mack were to fall past six, I could definitely see the Lions moving up for him, but I would be surprised if he makes it that far.


from Freep writer Anthony Kuehn

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

Receiver: One of the common themes that keeps surfacing in regards to the Lions’ need at receiver is grooming an eventual replacement for Calvin Johnson. He is getting closer to 30 years old and has taken a lot of punishment over the last few seasons. I believe this need has less to do with preparing for Johnson’s decline and more to do with delaying it. The Lions need alternate weapons for Matthew Stafford and to lessen the reliance on Megatron. Johnson isn’t near his decline yet, but if he keeps getting targeted on 60% of Stafford’s throws every season, it will come sooner than later. The Lions also have seen what happens to Stafford without Johnson, they need to have more targets that Stafford trusts. It’s no mistake that Golden Tate has the best catch-to-drop ratio in the NFL over the last few years and he was the Lions’ top target over flashier options. This need is about building up a receiving corps rather than having to be over reliant on one player. I would be shocked if the Lions enter Day 3 of the draft without picking a receiver.


from Freep writer Anthony Kuehn

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

from Todd McShay

Ha Ha Clinton-Dix


COLLEGE: Alabama
Class: Jr
HT: 6-1
WT: 208
POS: S

Analysis: Clinton-Dix shows really good range, instincts and playmaking ability from the safety position. He didn't run all that well at the combine (4.58 40), but he displays good speed on tape. I think he is the best defensive back prospect in this entire draft class

PREVIOUS RANK: No. 16 ​

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

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11
Aaron Donald


COLLEGE: Pittsburgh
HT: 6-0
WT: 285
POS: DT

Analysis: Even though Donald is shorter than prototype size, he is a perfect fit as a 3-technique defensive tackle because he has long arms, a powerful upper body, and excellent anticipation, quickness and finishing ability. He has the potential to be a very disruptive player in the NFL.

PREVIOUS RANK: No. 12 ​

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

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16
Darqueze Dennard


COLLEGE: Michigan State
Class: Sr
HT: 5-10
WT: 199
POS: CB

Analysis: Dennard is the best pure cover corner in this class, even though he doesn't have elite speed or ball skills, because he has excellent recognition skills and instincts. He was a true shutdown corner at times last season.

PREVIOUS RANK: No. 14 ​

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

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24
Justin Gilbert


COLLEGE: Oklahoma State
Class: Sr
HT: 6-0
WT: 202
POS: CB

Analysis: Gilbert can be inconsistent at times when it comes to his focus and is a little tight when he turns and runs, and I don't think he's deserving of an early first-round pick. But his straight-line speed (4.37 40 time), size, ball skills and overall playmaking ability usually make up for the minor flaws in his game.

PREVIOUS RANK: No. 11 ​

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

27
Anthony Barr


COLLEGE: UCLA
Class: Sr
HT: 6-4
WT: 255
POS: OLB

Analysis: Barr has good upside as a speed-rusher, given his versatility, his speed and the fact that he's relatively new to the position (played H-back at UCLA his first two seasons). But he stalls out when attempting to convert speed to power, and there is too much finesse to his game for me to pay a top-15 price for him. He looks as if he's on skates when he attempts to set the edge.

PREVIOUS RANK: No. 24 ​

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

29
Jason Verrett


COLLEGE: TCU
Class: Sr
HT: 5-9
WT: 189
POS: CB

Analysis: Verrett is a big-play cornerback with excellent speed, quickness and ball skills. He is undersized, but he plays bigger than his size and really sticks to receivers in man-to-man coverage, so I don't think it should be viewed as too much of a concern.

PREVIOUS RANK: No. 31​

 

[tpaulus_2]

29
Jason Verrett


COLLEGE: TCU
Class: Sr
HT: 5-9
WT: 189
POS: CB

Analysis: Verrett is a big-play cornerback with excellent speed, quickness and ball skills. He is undersized, but he plays bigger than his size and really sticks to receivers in man-to-man coverage, so I don't think it should be viewed as too much of a concern.

PREVIOUS RANK: No. 31​

Where are you getting these rankings from blue? It's cool to read through, but there seems to be an awful lot of personal opinion in them, ala WalterFootball (which I used to use for a source quite often until I realized how much he inserts his personal opinions and gut feelings in place of actual scouting...).

I dig the playing card kind of layout to them, though...

 

[tpaulus_2]

​

11
Aaron Donald


COLLEGE: Pittsburgh
HT: 6-0
WT: 285
POS: DT

Analysis: Even though Donald is shorter than prototype size, he is a perfect fit as a 3-technique defensive tackle because he has long arms, a powerful upper body, and excellent anticipation, quickness and finishing ability. He has the potential to be a very disruptive player in the NFL.

PREVIOUS RANK: No. 12 ​

This is my guy! Of the players who realistically might be there at #10 (i.e. not Mack, Clowney, or Watkins) he's the one I want the most. He'd give us everything Fairley was supposed to...

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

Where are you getting these rankings from blue? It's cool to read through, but there seems to be an awful lot of personal opinion in them, ala WalterFootball (which I used to use for a source quite often until I realized how much he inserts his personal opinions and gut feelings in place of actual scouting...).

I dig the playing card kind of layout to them, though...

They are McShay's top 32 from ESPN Insider. I just copy them and paste them here

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

This is my guy! Of the players who realistically might be there at #10 (i.e. not Mack, Clowney, or Watkins) he's the one I want the most. He'd give us everything Fairley was supposed to...

I'm perfectly fine with Donald as well as Clinton-Dix. BTW, McShay rates Clinton-Dix as his best DB. Go back a page from where Donald is listed in this thread and you'll see it. I saw on another thread you stated Clinton-Dix isn't worthy as a #10 pick. Don't worry tho, no other talking head has Dix rated this high.

I do not take anyone's thoughts/statements as final word (i.e. McShay, Kiper, Mayock, Jeremiah, Brooks, Walter or whomever). I read anything I can get my hands on then make my own decision. Everything is open to interpretation/comprehension. That's why all these top boards are so different just as much as any NFL scouting department is.

Example I noted an article from the Senior Bowl regarding Atl GM Dimitrov, HC, DC, OC, 5 Scouts. Not one of those names listed saw the same thing from any individual player they were scouting. They all sat down, reviewed tape/film, discussed what each individual saw on film and came to a consensus report from individual scouting reports.

 

[LPinSLC]

from Todd McShay

Ha Ha Clinton-Dix


COLLEGE: Alabama
Class: Jr
HT: 6-1
WT: 208
POS: S

Analysis: Clinton-Dix shows really good range, instincts and playmaking ability from the safety position. He didn't run all that well at the combine (4.58 40), but he displays good speed on tape. I think he is the best defensive back prospect in this entire draft class

PREVIOUS RANK: No. 16 ​

I'd like to get this guy.

 

[tpaulus_2]

They are McShay's top 32 from ESPN Insider. I just copy them and paste them here

Interesting. I always thought he seemed to try to be more vanilla and keep his rankings tight to everyone else's...

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

I like him too LPinSLC. I would not be upset one bit taking him at #10. I'm on board with Tpaul as well in liking Donald but we do not NEED HIM this year although I believe he'll be special for years to come. Donald is my favorite pick at #10 then Dix, assuming Mack is gone. Outside of those two I'd trade down if it were left up to me.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

Interesting. I always thought he seemed to try to be more vanilla and keep his rankings tight to everyone else's...

Not really Tpaul. Sometimes I think they all purposefully try to mix it up so they're all not a like. There will always be a couple that will shock someone. You know what's funny, IMO. I thought all along that Bama LT Kouanjdio was no better than a early 2nd rd and both Kiper and McShay had him in their top 8 until the Sugar Bowl game. I'm not a scout/evaluator so it just proves they don't pay attention as much as they portray to. They also (both) had Louchez Purifoy as a top 15 player all throughout the regular season. Where is he now ? It doesn't make me right and they can be wrong or off just as much as anyone else.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

10. Detroit Lions: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama



This feels early to take a safety, but Clinton-Dix would give the Lions a premier young talent at the free-safety position, and his range in coverage and run support would be welcomed. Between him and free-agent signee James Ihedigbo at strong safety, the Lions could quickly turn around the safety position, which was a glaring weakness last season. Taylor Lewan is the best available on my board at this point, but I obviously don't see the Lions drafting a left tackle. And while Detroit needs a corner, none of the cornerbacks in this year's class are worthy of a top-10 pick in my opinion.


BB_72 This is from McShay's Mock 4.0 on his ESPN Insider

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

McShay has the Lions selecting Fresno St WR Davante Adams at #45 in his Mock 4.0

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

Kiper's Top 10 at each position

Wide receivers



1. *Sammy Watkins, Clemson
2. **Mike Evans, Texas A&M
3. *Brandin Cooks, Oregon St.
4. *Odell Beckham, Jr., LSU
5. *Marqise Lee, USC
6. **Kelvin Benjamin, Florida St.
7. **Davante Adams, Fresno St.
8. *Cody Latimer, Indiana
9. *Bruce Ellington, South Carolina
10. *Jarvis Landry, LSU
Two new additions here, with Latimer and Ellington joining the mix. Latimer is one to watch, as I've heard some teams talk about him as a potential first-rounder. He has the length and the speed coaches covet. While Lee has dropped, I associate that more with the rise of Cooks (who tore up the combine) and Beckham. Lee wasn't consistent as a junior, but he has a lot of good tape to fall back on.