Grade the Draft

[tonyballs]

I give them a "B"...

Love the Van Noy, Swanson and TJ Jones picks to start it off. Hated the Ebron pick, but i'm warming up to it more. He's dynamic and a playmaker, just needs to clean up his game a bit.

Rest of the picks are developmental if you ask me. The CB, DE and DT are all guys that could contribute in sperts and that's fine with me.

Mayhew/Xanders did a very good job AGAIN this year.

 

[lgolfer]

I give them a "B"...

Love the Van Noy, Swanson and TJ Jones picks to start it off. Hated the Ebron pick, but i'm warming up to it more. He's dynamic and a playmaker, just needs to clean up his game a bit.

Rest of the picks are developmental if you ask me. The CB, DE and DT are all guys that could contribute in sperts and that's fine with me.

Mayhew/Xanders did a very good job AGAIN this year.

Out of curiosity, when did a "B" become a "very good job"? Isn't that what an A- or A is for?

Also, can you explain your thoughts on TJ Jones? I thought he was a decent pick, but I'd like to know why you liked it so much.

 

[mhughes0021]

Out of curiosity, when did a "B" become a "very good job"? Isn't that what an A- or A is for?

Also, can you explain your thoughts on TJ Jones? I thought he was a decent pick, but I'd like to know why you liked it so much.

He can play a mean Tavon Austin on the scout team. Just slower and not as quick....but we can imagine cant we?

 

[LKP]

I Blame xanders for the trade up.

 

[cheeno]

TJ Jones is Canadian Duh.

 

[lgolfer]

TJ Jones is Canadian Duh.

I should've known, lol

 

[Mitchrapp]

Out of curiosity, when did a "B" become a "very good job"? Isn't that what an A- or A is for?

Also, can you explain your thoughts on TJ Jones? I thought he was a decent pick, but I'd like to know why you liked it so much.

A, A- would be great or awesome.

 

[mhughes0021]

I Blame xanders for the trade up.

lol me too! Xanders should have kept mayhews leash on.....we let him loose for that 1 minute and poof...there goes the annual 4th round pick lol.

 

[kdp80]

Golfer covered all my points. Great sum up of the draft for me as well so I won't add much just that Van Noy and Lawson make this draft a B for me - both will be immediate starters. Ebron will be an impact player just because the position he's put in, but I am far from a fan and thing he was value poor. Trade down would have need ideal which was negated by Mayhew putting it on auto draft. I would have take Lewan who is considered by some the top lineman or Donald who earns that same praise on the dline. I don't like Swanson either...scouts seem to be split.

All in all throw in the kicker and we get at least 4 who play and make an impact right away IMO.

You really think Lawson takes over the nickel spot day 1? I haven't seen much on this guy at all. Just seems premature to give up on Bentley.

 

[LKP]

lol me too! Xanders should have kept mayhews leash on.....we let him loose for that 1 minute and poof...there goes the annual 4th round pick lol.

Xander's database told mayhew too. Xander's drafted tebow in round 1. Can't be trusted

Xander's gave up a 2,3 and 4 to Baltimore to get tebow

 

[LKP]

You really think Lawson takes over the nickel spot day 1? I haven't seen much on this guy at all. Just seems premature to give up on Bentley.

Lawson has a shot. This should mean nickel depth is now Mathis then Lawson so no Carey ever again at nickel

 

[cheeno]

You really think Lawson takes over the nickel spot day 1? I haven't seen much on this guy at all. Just seems premature to give up on Bentley.

I do...one man's opinion so take it for what it's worth. I think he's an upgrade over Bentley in every way. Bentley is good depth, their Lions, they will be injured at some point. 4.3 40, physical, fluid hips to change direction, ideal nickle. Google some vids, you'll like the guy.

 

[inkfreq]

I know sarcasm can be lost in print format. But who the fuck follows the Utah State Aggies? I hear they have a good Geography department. If you did know who all these random players are I'd be amazed/worried.

Yep, I think I missed the sarcasm. Haha... I'm sitting here thinking "Did I miss these guys becoming a major program? Shit.. am I the only guy on this board who doesn't know these Aggies?"

 

[LKP]

I watched it today. I dont follow the aggies. I only care about the new lion

 

[cheeno]

Yep, I think I missed the sarcasm. Haha... I'm sitting here thinking "Did I miss these guys becoming a major program? Shit.. am I the only guy on this board who doesn't know these Aggies?"

I love the draft...as a Lions fan I am conditioned to love it like it was Big Brother in "1984". But hell I don't pretend to know every prospect or college program. Once they become Lions though I rip through every piece of info on them like its a double cheeseburger...gotta fill the time when you sit through day 3 of men's names popping up on a screen and then other men commenting on it...then at 7 o'clock at night I am like what the hell did I just do all day. And yeah who knew there were more than one Aggies?

 

[mhughes0021]

Xander's database told mayhew too. Xander's drafted tebow in round 1. Can't be trusted

Xander's gave up a 2,3 and 4 to Baltimore to get tebow

Mcdaniels has gone on record plenty of times saying it was his decision to get tebow....mcdaniels had final decision authority....not xanders. If you blame it on xanders then its also him who put together the team that won a playoff game with tebow at qb. Something Stafford cant do....

 

[food4thought]

There are reasons to like every pick, but there are guys I thought they should have drafted, had a chance to draft within their projected range, and passed on for guys I had never heard of...

I can't grade it because I know next to nothing about most of these players. I'll grade it in two years. Until then, I'll try to be optimistic based upon last year's draft (and desperately try to forget the previous decade).

 

[mhughes0021]

Kipers final Lions grade:

Detroit Lions: B-


Top needs: CB, S, WR, OLB

Needs: C
Value: B

Summary: The Lions are absolutely terrifying to defend in the passing game after this draft, and hopefully practicing against the likes of Calvin Johnson, Golden Tate, Brandon Pettigrew, Joseph Fauria and now Eric Ebron will be good for their secondary, because that unit didn't get much help in the draft. The Lions can be forgiven for passing on a CB or a safety at No. 10, because Justin Gilbert was already off the board, and the value at those positions made Ebron a solid option. Tight end wasn't technically a need, but Ebron isn't technically your father's tight end. He's tall, fast, has a huge catch radius and will be split out off the line. He can block a little bit, but that's not his job here. Again: This is a scary group of pass-catchers. Kyle Van Noy is one of my favorite players in the whole draft, an instinctive, versatile defender who can move around and rush the passer. (He also roomed with Ezekiel Ansah at BYU.) Travis Swanson is useful depth behind 35-year old Dominic Raiola. And then finally -- in Round 4 -- Detroit adds Nevin Lawson, a good but undersized CB. Larry Webster is fascinating because he could be a pass-rusher or a tight end, and Caraun Reid is a depth addition at DT. Overall, you have to love the talent addition in rounds one and two, but the need in the secondary -- well, it's still a need.

 

[tonyballs]

Out of curiosity, when did a "B" become a "very good job"? Isn't that what an A- or A is for?

Also, can you explain your thoughts on TJ Jones? I thought he was a decent pick, but I'd like to know why you liked it so much.

How the hell isn't a "B" grade "a very good job"? A "B" is a solid effort. Getting an "A" is outstanding if you ask me. The Lions had a solid, very good draft if you ask me....not sure how you're confused.

As for TJ Jones. Getting him in the 6th rd was great value. He has solid hands and was extremely productive in college. Will probably end up being a starting slot WR for us.

 

[tonyballs]

TJ Jones is Canadian Duh.

No idea he was Canadian actually lol. Makes me love it a little more though...thank you