The Official 2014 Lions Draft Thread

[lionstop1]

I won't change my prediction: WR all the way at 10.

It's like this gentelmen; This team is very thin at the position and its a must they get a really good player there for obvious reasons. With the 10th pick, the Lions are set up to get one of the top two guys at the position. There's even an outside chance to land Sammy due to the need of QBs and LTs early. An article on Mlive.com calls the Lion's pick a "hot spot" for a WR. It's true.

The Lions will continue to be linked to the WR throughout the process. My prediction is that Evans can only lose this opportunity by having terrible combine numbers and interviews. Lee is still someone to watch. One of these young guys makes more sense than getting someone out of FA for several reasons.

Looking at FA, there's not much to really like, as it is filled with questionable players with injury histories, bad attitudes or a few that will command big money. Lions wont have to dig too deep to pay a drafted WR. Lions will finally put an end to not having a legit #2.

As far as the second round, it should be some options but 11 or more are said to go in the first. I think the second round is a grest place for the Lions to start looking at defense. There should be CBs, LBs and solid DEs and OTs available.

 

[lionstop1]

Kelvin Benjamin looks stiff in his running. 2nd round guy.
Mike Evans posted a 4.5. Not fast and not slow and looks fluid out of his stance. 1st round guy.
Odell Beckham posted a 4.30. That's fast. 1st round guy-Giants, Philly, Carolina, Packers

 

[TrustMeIamRight]

My only issue with drafting offense in the 1st round is -- We've ranked 5th, 3rd and 6th the last 3 years in total offense.

With WR being the deepest position in the draft -- you could get a 1st round talent at the position in the 2nd round. If Detroit can find a difference maker on defense with the 10th overall pick -- I would hope they do so. We saw 1st hand what a great defense can do to a great offense in the Super Bowl.

Personally -- the only WR I would draft at #10 is Watkins, unless Mike Evans blows everyone away with his 40 time, which I don't see happening.

 

[TrustMeIamRight]

Martavias Bryant must be a terrible route runner with terrible hands. When you are 6'4" 211 lbs and run a 4.34 -- Something is up, when you aren't talk about being a 1st round talent.

 

[jdwills126]

To many serviceable WRs that could slide to the 2-3 round to be certain. Watkins I would be happy with, Evans I will not bitch about, he could end up as the best WR of the draft….got to figure the QB throwing the ball and I do not have a lot of faith in Glennon or whoever is in Buffalo.

 

[lionstop1]

Evans just ran a 4.47 which is pretty damn good. I look at it a bit different than you. Everyine seems to be of the opinion that since the draft is deep with WR, that automatically means the team can get one in the second or later. I get that but heres the issue: They have to hope for the guy they "like" to be available. Its not an issue of just picking one because they need one. Another issue is that even though the position is deep, value still drops. If the position is in great need, as it is, you pick the best of the crop.

 

[lionstop1]

Evans is a guy that will command attention day 1. He torched Alabama and Auburn when they attempted to single cover him. He has great body control and hands. Perfect WR for Staffords throwing style.

 

[lionstop1]

Lions are considered the top team with WR needs per NFL.com

 

[lionstop1]

Look how these positions stack up when compared with depth, potential and overall talent.

Wide Recievers
Calvin Johnson
Kris Durham
Broyles
Ross (ufa)

Linebacker
DeAndre Levy
Stephen Tolluch
Palmer
Tahir Whitehead

Cornerback
Chris Houston
Darrius Slay
Bentley
Greenwood
Jonte Geen

That alone, should show everyone how bad our WR situation is. The Lions need an impact player at the position.

 

[lionstop1]

Mike Evans: Catching drill was terrific.

 

[Old Lion]

The fact that he looks that good means he could go before 10. At least it gives us 2 good options now

 

[lionstop1]

Very true

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

Martavias Bryant must be a terrible route runner with terrible hands. When you are 6'4" 211 lbs and run a 4.34 -- Something is up, when you aren't talk about being a 1st round talent.

Bryant lacks the experience as a wr even at the college level having been behind 2013 draft pick DeAndre Hopkins and Sammy "The Bull" Watkins. He pretty much served as a go/deep-out route and end zone target. He was told by Clemson HC and Scouts Advisory Board to stay another year to hone his skills.

 

[Microwahevo]

After much thought, and seeing his combine results, I honestly feel very comfortable if the Lions pick Mike Evans at #10 if/when Watkins is gone. He would automatically give us that #2 playmaker at wideout we so desperately need.

 

[jdwills126]

I don't look at it as a rank 1-10 for WRs…

1. Watkins, 2. Evans, 3. Lee and so on.

I see it as Tiers

Tier 1- Watkins and Evans

Tier 2- Lee, Beckham, Benjamin

Tier 3- Landry and so on.

 

[jdwills126]

I am not saying I would hate Evans but given the choice I would want Mack and look for a WR in the second but thats a fine point that may be moot if Mack goes 1-9.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

Evans is a guy that will command attention day 1. He torched Alabama and Auburn when they attempted to single cover him. He has great body control and hands. Perfect WR for Staffords throwing style.

Evans shouldn't have too much trouble catching those 94 m.p.h. split-fingered fastballs from Staff being that he's 6'4 3/4". Lets hope he has at least a 39" Vert jump too. I do agree that the WR corps that we have is abysmal. CJ, Broles, Corey Fuller, Patrick Edwards, Cody Wilson, Carlin Isles (that's the current signed players on the roster).... Durham is ERFA

I like Evans but I highly question his route tree experience. I could care less what his workouts are. I want to know what he can do against pro level DB's. BTW, in Evans last 2 regular season games, He was shutdown by Lsu and Missouri DB's.... That's not a compliment as both of those teams lacked really good CB's.... Missouri CB E.J. Gaines (5' 10") was the best CB he faced in those 2 games.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

I am not saying I would hate Evans but given the choice I would want Mack and look for a WR in the second but thats a fine point that may be moot if Mack goes 1-9.

At #10 if he is there, then I absolutely want him. I am warming up to the idea of Evans at #10 assuming Watkins is gone.

In my eyes Mack = Kuechly. Both make plays all over the field. Kuechly has proven his worth in the NFL. Mack will be questioned constantly about the competition he has faced.

BTW, Kuechly was the one who shut down Jimmy Graham when Carolina faced New Orleans. FACT

 

[lionstop1]

Im with ya Micro. Evans could only benefit and get better in that situation. Calvin and Evans sounds good.

 

[TrustMeIamRight]

Another issue is that even though the position is deep, value still drops. If the position is in great need, as it is, you pick the best of the crop.

I agree that value drops in the 2nd round. The point I was trying to make is -- if you have big holes at WR and OLB, and there is 12 WRs considered 1 or 2nd round talents, and only 5 or 6 guys considered 1st or 2nd round talents at OLB. If Detroit goes WR 1st, their may not even be an OLB on the board in 2nd round they want.

Detroit doesn't need just one WR. They actually need one to play outside opposite Calvin Johnson, as well as one to play in the slot. So the idea that they wouldn't like any of the WRs on the board in the 2nd round doesn't really hold water with me. They already have the most dominate WR in the game, they just need someone to complement him now and be reliable.