The Official 2014 Lions Draft Thread

[jdwills126]

A receiver coming to Detroit will be in a great spot. CJ on one side, Bush out of the backfield, and Stafford throwing the ball. Who would you rather have as your QB throwing you the rock…EJ Manuel or Stafford?

I could see a guy like Matthews doing well numbers wise in Detroit's offense when he isn't a top 5 WR. I could also see Watkins struggling if he goes to Buffalo. Talent will not be the issue but the fit.

 

[jalopy]

My money is still on defense in the first two rounds and get one WR through FA and one in the latter rounds.

 

[lionstop1]

"A receiver coming to Detroit will be in a great spot. CJ on one side, Bush out of the backfield, and Stafford throwing the ball. Who would you rather have as your QB throwing you the rock…EJ Manuel or Stafford"

While I agree, I don't see how this is all true in all cases. Other Lions receivers have failed miserably even with the presence of CJ. Whatever reciever that comes here has to "own it", as it cant just be any player as some of you assume. My thinking is an toput the best player possible opposite CJ. Its just like putting the best possible player beside Suh. You dont just plug anybody there just because the player you have is the best.

 

[lionstop1]

What FA Wr are we thinking about here that would serve better than one of these rookies? Tate? He might stay in Seattle, plus there are tons of receivers in this draft that compare to him. Maclin? He's staying. Nicks? Maybe, but he's a risk. I'd take someone at 10 before him. Baldwin? Naaa, I'll pass. Dude from Denver? Yeah right.

The Lions offense has been pretty good, but they've really only been throwing to Calvin, Pettigrew and tons of RBs. Not good. Someone said to use Bush as a WR. Really? You dont always want to depend on your RB to serve WR duties, its just beneficial when they can.

 

[TrustMeIamRight]

While I agree, I don't see how this is all true in all cases. Other Lions receivers have failed miserably even with the presence of CJ. Whatever reciever that comes here has to "own it", as it cant just be any player as some of you assume. My thinking is an toput the best player possible opposite CJ. Its just like putting the best possible player beside Suh. You dont just plug anybody there just because the player you have is the best.

Look at the guys you are talking about playing WR for the Lions. It isn't as if the front office did the Lions any favors. Burleson was alright his 1st two years with Detroit -- the last 2, he couldn't stay healthy to save his life. Titus Young did really good as a rookie, but I guess no one noticed the guy was a head case in college and it only became worse in the NFL. They drafted Broyles, which at the time absolutely blew my mind (Lavonte David was the best OLB on the board and he would have looked really good in a Lions uniform right now). My man Broyles is a walking emergency room visit, major surgery after major surgery. Who else has their been? Kris Durham? Kevin Ogletree? Patrick Edwards?

Out of all the guys who have lined up as a #2 WR for Detroit -- Have you seen any of them do anything when they left Detroit?

 

[TrustMeIamRight]

What FA Wr are we thinking about here that would serve better than one of these rookies?

It isn't about a FA WR being better than someone like Watkins or Evans. Basically, the only thing people are saying is -- You can get a 1st round talent at the WR position in the 2nd round, because of the depth the position has.

If you can get a difference maker on defense and still get a WR to complement Megatron -- it would fill two holes with the better talent going to the side of the ball where the Lions REALLY need play makers...........The Defense.

 

[lionstop1]

I like the odds the other way around. WR first and defense second. Im absolutely sure there wll be plenty of defensive prospects available in the second that many arent even aware of at this time. I like Shazier at OLB or one of the CBs, from McGill, Christe, Robinson, etc. 2/3 of Detroits LB crew are good while 1/6 is for the WRs. Thats bad.

 

[lionstop1]

Whats even worse, the Lions actually need a few WRs. They dont even have a reliable slot receiver. Even though I think the team still needs a CB, it still looks more promising than the Wr group. A LB makes sense, but upgrading Palmer wont be too hard. Who comes off the feild on 3rd down for the Lions if they get Mack?

This is why you solidify the Wr spot at 10 and go from there. They dont need to be messing around and waiting until the 2nd round, IMO.

 

[TrustMeIamRight]

I like the odds the other way around. WR first and defense second. Im absolutely sure there wll be plenty of defensive prospects available in the second that many arent even aware of at this time. I like Shazier at OLB or one of the CBs, from McGill, Christe, Robinson, etc. 2/3 of Detroits LB crew are good while 1/6 is for the WRs. Thats bad.

You think this draft is deeper on the defensive side of the ball? I guess we will have to agree to disagree on this one.

As far as talking about who is good at which position for Detroit -- I think the better way to look at is -- what each side of the ball looked like, as a whole. Detroit already has play maker at multiple positions, including the best WR in the game. They have not one, but two solid RBs, who can both catch the ball out of the backfield. Getting another option to play along side Calvin is important, but when you have ranked in the top 5 in total offense for 3 straight years -- is it top 10 pick important?
Defensively, the team is showing some improvements, but they lack play makers in the back 7. I believe someone here said our CBs had 2 interceptions last year. Delmas is gone and we now have Don Carey as the starter for the time being. Ashlee Palmer wasn't terrible, but with a new defensive coordinator, who has stated the Lions would be blitzing more -- picking up a stud who could replace Palmer and fill the role the DC is looking for. If not one of the OLB, maybe trade down and get one of the safeties, or one of the CBs.

If Detroit could pick up extra picks in this draft, it would be HUGE with all the quality players who will be slipping down the board, because of the depth of talent available.

 

[Quackerjacked]

I'm really about bpa for us at 10. I would love for it to be Mack. I don't think it's going to be. I also love me some Dix. That said, if it is a wide receiver I will be happy until he sucks. Our offense was good, but needs another reliable pass catcher. We have guys that can break it open with both Bush and Johnson, we need another guy that can just be reliable. That is why I wouldn't mind us ignoring it in the draft and finding an Edelman type in FA. Boldin actually tops my wish list though.

 

[tpaulus_2]

I also love me some Dix.

I think you've been in California too long, Sunshine...

 

[Microwahevo]

I think you've been in California too long, Sunshine...

I thought I was the only one who caught that.

 

[lionstop1]

If not a Wr, give me a CB.

 

[Quackerjacked]

I think you've been in California too long, Sunshine...

Says the guy with the huge black dude dressed head to tow in leather as his avatar.

 

[broncosmitty]

If not a Wr, give me a CB.

Couldn't be further from agreeing with ya Yao.

 

[jdwills126]

I think the first nine will shake out like this….

Houston - Blake Borles
St. Louis - Clowney
Jaguers - Teddy Bridgewater
Browns - J. Manziel
Oakland - Greg Robinson
Atlanta - Matthews
Tampa Bay - Sammy Watkins
Vikings - Carr
Buffalo - Taylor Lewan

Without trades and I do expect a trade or two. That leaves Mack, Evans, Barr, and Dennard for Detroit. Buffalo could throw a wrench into things but I think they invest in a LT to keep Manuel healthy. Tampa gets a gift in Watkins but could see them take Mack.

 

[tpaulus_2]

Says the guy with the huge black dude dressed head to tow in leather as his avatar.

A.) That's Micro's avatar, not mine.
B.) The huge black dude in question is our own Joique Bell...

 

[jalopy]

I think the first nine will shake out like this….

Houston - Blake Borles
St. Louis - Clowney
Jaguers - Teddy Bridgewater
Browns - J. Manziel
Oakland - Greg Robinson
Atlanta - Matthews
Tampa Bay - Sammy Watkins
Vikings - Carr
Buffalo - Taylor Lewan

Without trades and I do expect a trade or two. That leaves Mack, Evans, Barr, and Dennard for Detroit. Buffalo could throw a wrench into things but I think they invest in a LT to keep Manuel healthy. Tampa gets a gift in Watkins but could see them take Mack.

No way Teddy B isn't the first QB taken.
Carr in the top 10 reeks of desperation but I don't disagree with you.
I find it a stretch that Lewan makes the top 9 and Mack doesn't
In your situation, taking Mack in a no-brainer for the Lions.
If Mack is gone, my preference would be (in order) trade down, CJ Mosely, Dix, Barr

 

[Quackerjacked]

Well that's just sloppy on my part, and I apologize. I knew it was Joique, but I was grasping at straws here.

 

[TrustMeIamRight]

I'd like to see the Lions go defense in round 1, as they desperately need some play makers on that side of the ball and they have multiple positions they could draft and make the defense immediately better.

That being said, it would be hard to be upset if the Lions were to draft Watkins or Evans. Both look really good.

Personally -- I feel they can get a high quality talent in the 2nd round at WR, but definitely not an elite type WR like the two I mentioned.

Basically -- I just don't want to see Lions draft a TE at #10 or Marquise Lee, because he is coming off a season where he dealt with injuries. Detroit hasn't had much luck with guys like that. Anyone else drafted would help the team.