The Official 2014 Lions Draft Thread

[gvsulaker82]

Would love van noy in the second

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

The other thing to consider is that drafting Clowney means we're already cutting bait on Ansah. There's no way we can afford both guys once their rookie deals are up.

_____________________________________________________________________________________
I got to disagree with you on this one in that we can't afford both Ansah and Clowney. Ansah still has 4 years left on a contract that is roughly 18 mil in total. In 2017 the cap hit for Calvin is 21.358 mil or release him for 4.857 mil (or another Mayhew restructure), that's 17+ mil in savings. Ansah's cap hits are as follows;
2014 4.226 mil
2015 5.071 mil
2016 5.916 mil
2017 team option of 3.785mil

Adding Clowney to the mix wouldn't be that much more than it was for Ansah at #5 last year, should we trade up to #4 or #5 to get Clowney this year. Why #4 or #5 ? I have Houston taking QB Bortles, Clev trading up to STL #2 getting QB Manziel, Jax drafting QB Bridgewater which leaves STL getting Clev's #4 and #26 overall picks. For Det to trade up, they could give up this years 1st #10 and 2nd #45 or this and next years 1st rd picks. This is not what I want to see, BTW. The possibility remains should Cleveland make that trade up to the #2 with STL, and if Mayhew pulls the trigger on Clowney. As Swarm stated, Mayhew loves his 1st rd DL... 2010 DT Suh, 2011 DT Fairley, 2013 DE Ansah..... 3 out of 5 yrs (and you can exclude 2009 just bc we didn't have Stafford, IMO... QB was warranted then coming off of Kitna, Orlovsky and Stanton..

If this team hasn't made to the NFC Championship Game, if not the Super-Bowl, by 2016, IMO, the team would cut bait with Lewand, Mayhew, HC Caldwell, possibly Calvin and/or Staff as the new regime would want to get rid of high-priced vets and Staff if he hasn't progressed enough to their liking. JMO

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

Would love van noy in the second

If we can't get OLB Khalil Mack at #10, VanNoy is a must for me should he be available in the 2nd rd at #45. My avatar wreaks of VanNoy...If not him then I'd look to OLB Shazier, who reminds me a little of LaVonte David...extremely fast on the field, strong, seals the edge, can cover RB's out of the backfield or TE down the seam.

NFL Events: Combine Player Profiles - Kyle Van Noy

Khalil Mack, OLB, Buffalo: The NFL scouting community has been buzzing for over a year about Mack's prospects as a disruptive defender. Multiple scouts told me that the Buffalo standout was a borderline Day 1 prospect a season ago, yet he elected to return to school to master some of the nuances of the position. The decision paid huge dividends, as Mack dominated the competition throughout the regular season, enjoying big games against Ohio State, Baylor and Connecticut. He's bound to keep up the momentum after an outstanding performance at Lucas Oil Stadium. The 6-2 5/8, 251-pounder ranked among the top linebacker prospects in the 40 (4.65), vertical jump (40), broad jump (10-8) and 20-yard shuttle (4.18). Yes, those numbers are jaw-dropping for a linebacker of Mack's size, but it was the outstanding display of balance and body control in drills that convinced scouts he is a big-time talent (though he played much of his college career against inferior competition). From making effortless turns and transitions in coverage to exhibiting explosive first-step quickness on pass-rush drills, Mack showed he has all the tools in the toolbox to be an impact player as a pro.

Khalil Mack, Buffalo (6’3, 251) – He’s got the best tape at the LB position and he backed it up today with an awesome performance. His 40 time was plenty fast enough (4.65) and he put up monster numbers in both the vertical (40″) and broad jump (128″) which were both 2nd to physical freak Ryan Shazier.
5. Mack is 'fluid and explosive'

Mayock has been saying for a few days that Buffalo outside linebacker Khalil Mack would be his No. 1 overall pick and called him "a fluid and explosive athlete" Monday. Mayock isn't the only guy who likes Mack, who set an NCAA career record with 16 forced fumbles and is tied for first in NCAA history with 75 tackles for loss. NFL Media draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah called Mack "explosive, dynamic and productive." He said if you were worried about Mack's level of competition, all you need to do is remember DeMarcus Ware's tape from when he played at Troy. Fellow analyst Charles Davis said Mack "plays with a violent edge to him," which is a good thing. "He will make somebody very happy very quickly," Davis said, in reference to Mack's potential as a rookie. Mack measured at 6-3 and 261 pounds and had a 40.5-inch vertical jump and ran a 4.65 40, which was tied for fourth-fastest among the linebackers.

Ryan Shazier, Ohio St (6’1, 237) - I was disappointed Shazier didn’t run because there are rumors that he can break 4.40, but he dominated the two drills he did do with a 42″ vertical and a 130″ broad jump. Shazier is an off-the-charts athlete and should be a late first round pick. To give you a frame of reference, Shazier crushed 2013 1st round pick (and Bear fan favorite) Alec Ogletree’s performance in the two drills he competed in.

 

[Rollingthndr]

2 Players

Rice CB Phillip Gaines clocked an official 4.38 forty time at the NFL Scouting Combine.


At 6-foot 1/4 and 193 pounds, Gaines added a 10-foot-2 broad jump, 36 1/2-inch vertical, and 11 bench reps. NFL Network's Mike Mayock stated after the performance that, "I'm not sure you're gonna get any better value than Phillip Gaines from Rice." Targeted only 40 times in Conference USA as a senior, Gaines allowed 13 conversions. That's a stingy completion rate of 32.5 percent.

Washington State S Deone Bucannon clocked an official 4.49 second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine.


It was the second fastest time amongst safeties, trailing only FSU's Terrence Brooks (4.42). Bucannon's 19 bench reps finished third most amongst safeties, while he ranked second in the broad jump (125 inches), and third in the vertical leap (36.5 inches) and 3-cone (6.96 seconds). "He's got size, he's got four years of high quality production in a BCS conference and he's coming in here, he did 19 reps at (225 pounds) yesterday and he's coming out here and running real well," said NFL Network Analyst Mike Mayock. Bucannon is a thumper who just made himself some money.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

Rolling... I like SS Bucannon quite a bit. He is more suited ofr an in the box safety, as he provides great run support. He can however get burned deep. He looked better in his agility drills yesterday than what I've seen from him in games. Quin has played FS and CB previously for Houston.


The following statement is from a FREEP article this morning (special writer Anthony Kuehn)


The safety position is where the Lions could get the biggest bang for their buck if investing top dollar on a free agent. I’d much rather spend free agent money on a safety than a corner if the choice was mine. The safety class in the draft isn’t very deep, so it would require a high pick to get an impact player. The Lions need to add at least a starter and possibly another backup. They are moving away from the interchangeable safety style and back to a more traditional strong and free safety designation. That changes things a bit when evaluating a plan.
Jairus Byrd, T.J. Ward and Chris Clemons would all be targets if they hit the market and would give the Lions the best safety tandem in the league. Glover Quin was a top free agent safety last season and he signed a very reasonable contract, so one of those top tier guys could be in play.
If none of those three would come at a reasonable price, I’d look at Mike Mitchell or James Ihedigbo (another former Raven) and then draft a player in the middle rounds.

 

[gvsulaker82]

I agree big blue, I would love mack at ten first and foremost but if the lions trade down to draft a CB in first I want van noy in second if available.

 

[gvsulaker82]

Drafting clowney would hurt the lions much more with all of the picks they would have to give up than it would financially.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

Mack goes from 2-Star H.S. Recruit to potential top-5

Buffalo LB Khalil Mack goes from 2-star recruit to potential top-5 draft pick | MLive.com

 

[jayfan]

Technique, Footwork, Intelligence, Tackling and he is better at run support. Dennard's advantages can all be taught though.

You can't teach size and speed.

Dennard is a much more polished CB, but I think the ceiling is higher for a player like Gilbert because of his size and speed.

Many a draft pick has been blown using that mantra. I couldn't care less about the fastest 40. Dennard's time was faster than Richard Sherman's. That works for me. Give me the better, more physical, cover corner who's ready to play now.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

I agree big blue, I would love mack at ten first and foremost but if the lions trade down to draft a CB in first I want van noy in second if available.

Agree GVSU, except S and not a CB. I want to see if the 4 draftees we have can develop this year and if not, There will be others next year; Like Ifo Ekpre-Olomu (Ore)... VanNoy is must 2nd rd pick IMO. I just do not value Gilbert or Dennard as Top-20 picks, regardless of Gilbert's combine #'s... Gilbert = Slay, in speed, size, instincts, ball skills, JMO


I believe it is a much easier transition for a college S into the pro's than it is for a college CB into the pro's and the S's provide a quicker impact than CB's do

 

[gvsulaker82]

Agree GVSU, except S and not a CB. I want to see if the 4 draftees we have can develop this year and if not, There will be others next year; Like Ifo Ekpre-Olomu (Ore)... VanNoy is must 2nd rd pick IMO. I just do not value Gilbert or Dennard as Top-20 picks, regardless of Gilbert's combine #'s... Gilbert = Slay, in speed, size, instincts, ball skills, JMO


I believe it is a much easier transition for a college S into the pro's than it is for a college CB into the pro's and the S's provide a quicker impact than CB's do

I would be fine with anyone in the secondary.

 

[mrwallace2ku]

I read that DE Scott Creighton from Oregon State may be better suited as an NFL OLB. Currently #4 on the DE list of the draft.

Interesting I thought...he could be a devatasting blitzer/tackler from that position with his speed/size.


Food for thought.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

#10 Trade down to NYG Giants select OT T. Lewan (Lions get #12 and #109 and 2015 5th rd.)
#12 Trade down to CHI Bears select CB J. Gilbert (Lions get #14 #113 and 2015 5th rd)

#14 S Calvin Pryor - Louv
#45 OLB Kyle VanNoy - BYU
#76 WR Donte Moncreif - Ole Miss or Allen Robinson - PSU
#107 DE Kareem Martin - UNC
#109 OC Marcus Martin - USC
#113 CB Jalen Watkins - Florida
Comp DT Caraun Reid - Princeton (Comp Pick for Cherilous after 4th rd)
#173 WR Jeff Janis - SVSU
#204 OT Matt Patchan - Boston College

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

You can't teach size and speed.

Many a draft pick has been blown using that mantra. I couldn't care less about the fastest 40. Dennard's time was faster than Richard Sherman's. That works for me. Give me the better, more physical, cover corner who's ready to play now.

Lions CB Darius Slay and Gilbert are nearly identical in Size, Speed, Instincts, Ball Skills. The only thing Gilbert has over Slay is that he played 4 years (starter 3 yrs.) in the Big12 and Slay went from 2 year starter at Mississippi JC to 1 year starter at Miss. ST.. Slay was better than 3 year starter Jonthan (that's the correct spelling BTW) Banks who was drafted by TB last year. Banks was the DB who caught Calvin's dropped/tipped pass near the Goal Line in that game, which would have put us in the lead. Furthermore, you can read the following about Rod Woodson mentoring Slay here; Hall of Fame CB Rod Woodson mentoring Lions' Darius Slay through growing pains | MLive.com

specifically the following; "I think what's unfair to guys like Darius is they want him to play like a three-year or four-year vet, and he's not," Woodson told MLive in a recent phone interview. "Anytime you put a young guy on the field, even if he has tremendous talent, he's going to get beat.

Woodson knows that curve well.

He lived it.

"Heck, if ESPN and all that stuff was really working when I played, and there were all the outlets there are today, they probably would have said 'this guy is a bust' my first couple years," Woodson said, and all he did was go on to play 17 seasons, intercept more passes than all but two men and get inducted into the Hall of Fame.

But that first year was rough, as they often are for cornerbacks. And Slay was no exception.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

WR Donte Moncreif You Tube Highlights

you tube college football highlights "Donte Moncreif" - Bing Videos


He could possibly be available in the 3rd round


6' 2' 221... 4.40 40 yd.


http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/donte-moncrief?id=2543614

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

Moncreif's College Stats

2013..... 13 games..... 59 rec.....938 yds...... 6 tds.
2012..... 13 games..... 66 rec.....979 yds..... 10 tds.
2011..... 12 games..... 31 rec.....454 yds...... 4 tds.

Ole Miss QB threw more often to incoming Freshman (#1 rated H.S.) WR Lequon Treadwell than Moncreif. Treadwell is a 6'4 210 lb lanky and speedy WR. QB Bo Wallace isn't known for being a dynamic passer.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

CB Stats

....Name..........year....games......Int....Yds....TD.....FF.....Solo....Asst....Ttl......TFL......Sks
Dennard..........2013.....14...........4......38......0......2........33......29.....62........1.........0
......................2012.....13...........3......49......0......0........34......18.....52........3.........0
......................2011.....12...........3......38......1......0........30......12.....42........1.........0
......................2010.......6...........0.......0.......0......1..........8.......3.....11........2.........1

Gilbert............2013......13...........7.....123.....2......0.........36.......6.....42........0.........0
.....................2012......13...........0.........0.....0......1.........53......10....63......2.5........0
.....................2011......13...........5.......57.....0......0.........48......11....59.........1........0
.....................2010......12...........0.........0.....0......1.........16........2....18.........0........0

Fuller.............2013........9............2........8.....0.......1.........17.......7.....24........2........0
.....................2012......13............2........2.....0.......1.........44.......8.....52........3........0
.....................2011......14............2........2.....0.......1.........46......19....65......14.5.....4.5
.....................2010......12............0........0.....0.......1.........22......10....32.........4........0
the 2011 #'s for TFL and sacks ARE correct

Watkins..........2013......12............0........0.....0.......0.........31.......21....52........2........0
.....................2012......13............3.......44....1.......0.........26.......13....39........1........0
.....................2011......13............0........0.....0.......0.........26........8.....34........1........0
.....................2010......10............0........0.....0.......0...........5........3......8.........0........0

McGill............2013.......12............1.......19....1.......0.........28.........9.....37........5........0
....................2012........0..........................................................................................
....................2011........5.............0.........0....0.......0...........6.........6.....12.......0.........0.

Jean-Baptiste..2013......13............4.....134.....1.......0..........27.......14.....41.......3.........1
.....................2012......14...........2.......48......1.......0..........18........6.....24........0........0
.....................2011.......9............1........0......0........0...........5.........4......9........0........0
Jean-Baptiste converted from WR to CB in 2012

Exum............2013.........3............0........0......0.......0............4........0.......4........0........0
....................2012........13...........5.......44.....0.......2...........35.......13.....48......1.5......0
....................2011........14...........1.......36.....0.......2...........43.......46.....89.......5.......1.5
....................2010........14...........0.........0.....0.......1...........28.......17.....45......1.5.......0

Desir.............2013.........9............4.......71......0......0...........28.........9.....37........1........0
....................2012........12...........9........83.....1......0...........39........21.....60......2.5.......1
....................2011........12...........5........60.....0......1...........31........15.....46......5.5.......2
....................2010........11...........7........91.....1......2...........25..........8.....33.......0.........0
2012-2013 attended Lindenwood College (Missouri).. 2011-2010 attended Washburn College

 

[Rollingthndr]

Technique, Footwork, Intelligence, Tackling and he is better at run support. Dennard's advantages can all be taught though.

You can't teach size and speed.

Dennard is a much more polished CB, but I think the ceiling is higher for a player like Gilbert because of his size and speed.

Just curious, if you have met neither. How do you know which one is more intelligent?

 

[Rollingthndr]

He looks more like a middle of the second round guy, ala Alshon Jefferey.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

Lions Draft-Scouting/FA News

Below is a list of players that the Lions interviewed
Detroit Lions:
Odell Beckham, WR, LSU (COM)
Russell Bodine, OL, North Carolina (COM)
Terrence Brooks, DB, Florida State (COM)
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, DB, Alabama (COM)
Aaron Colvin, DB, Oklahoma (SR)
Mike Davis, WR, Texas (SR)
Ahmad Dixon, DB, Baylor (COM)
Aaron Donald, DL, Pittsburgh (COM)
Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M (COM)
Cody Hoffman%, WR, BYU (COM) (SR)
Gabe Ikard, OL, Oklahoma (COM)
Jeff Janis, WR, Saginaw Valley State (COM)
Marqise Lee, WR, USC (COM)
Kareem Martin, DL, North Carolina (COM)
Jordan Matthews, WR, Vanderbilt (COM)
Keith McGill%, WR, Utah (COM) (SR)
Donte Moncrief, WR, Ole Miss (COM)
Troy Niklas, TE, Notre Dame (COM)
Calvin Pryor, DB, Louisville (COM)
Paul Richardson, WR, Colorado (COM)
Weston Richburg%, OL, Colorado State (COM) (SR)
Marcus Roberson, DB, Florida (COM)
Bradley Roby, DB, Ohio State (COM)
Ryan Shazier, LB, Ohio State (COM)
Bryan Stork, OL, Florida State (COM)
Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson (COM)