Lions draft grades

[tsmith7559]

B
loved the Tomlinson pick with the trade down and filled the biggest need
The only pick I didn't get was the RB in the 5th

 

[jared]

I don't understand how it's possible to quantify reach or good value when the draft is such an inexact science. Each of the 32 teams valuates players differently based on schematics, need, etc. It seems like Mayhew either drafts based on BPA, and gets torched for not filling needs, or he drafts based on need, and gets torched for reaching.

By the way, here are two reports on a QB that was drafted in 1998:

“Florida intimidated him. You really like him because of the personality and all the intangibles but, boy, you’ve got be a little mobile in this league. He has been so well-coached, too … He’s a self-made player, let’s put it that way. I don’t know how much better he’s going to get.”

“He grew up in a football family, he’s got football genes. He studied the hell out of the tape … If we’re playing with Erik Kramer, you’d have to think that he could start in the league. This kid’s intelligence, work habits, leadership probably are going to take him a long, long way. But I don’t know how much more Manning will improve in pro ball.”

The Colts should have taken Leaf.

 

[tomdalton22]

B-

I liked that they addressed the OL in the first round while trading back. Not a fan of Abdullah.

I didn't know what to think about drafting a FB in the 5th round until I read this:

"Crafty pass-catcher out of the backfield," says the NFL scouting report on him. "Shows desired speed into routes and is always ready for the throw. Good, not great, ball-catcher who is able to adjust to poor throws. Agile with ability to make defenders miss in space."

The thing that really got me excited is "good, not great, ball-catcher who is able to adjust to poor throws"

Perfect compliment to Stafford!

 

[tonyballs]

Inkfreq laying the law down!

School is in session!!

 

[lucke]

Because i take into account position. How many guards were drafted in rd 1 last year? None...

Your ?knowledge ? of football never ceases to amaze me. Last year the Cowgirls picked Zack Martin at 16 or 17 as their starting RG... Now you're technically right that he is not a true ?pure guard?, but he played there all last year, was projected as a guard, and was very solid.

The past 4-5 years, a guard had been drafted in the 1st round, so once again, your argument doesn't hold water.

 

[LKP]

LOL hughes bitching that we took a guard now. It seems many teams gave him a late 1st grade.

Face it hughes, we had great value matched with depth needs. LG and depth needs were all we needed. Great job Mayhew. We got a starting guard for years at the correct value spot (after a trade down for picks and a solid vet player) got a good high character running back in space that can make big plays for us (AND return kicks and punts), a good press CB for depth on the outside that Austin can develop and a penetrating DT with potential that can step in a nice DT rotation. This is why we didn't take Carl Davis (not a penetrator). Some nice late round picks too with a FB, nickel (injuries to Bentley/Lawson) and mammoth Right Tackle.

And RB in Round 2 was correct given the RBs gone before pick 88 (Coleman, David Johnson) and Ajayi's injury. Mayhew addressed the Oline before he addressed the RB. You can't bitch about that either.

A++ for value and movement in the draft. A++ for filling needs. Now we'll see if they pan out. Nobody knows the answer to that, not me, not the experts, not the haters who say they are bad picks.

 

[brewer229]

I think this is the most appropriate place for this, as opposed to starting a new topic.

McShay most improved team by each division:

NFC North: Chicago Bears

I was torn between the Bears and Vikings for this one, as Minnesota got a pair of potential starters at need positions in CB Trae Waynes and LB Eric Kendricks and two high-ceiling value picks in OT T.J. Clemmings and WR Stefon Diggs. But I just don't think the Bears had a bad pick in this draft. They got a likely starter at wide receiver at No. 7 overall in Kevin White, they filled another need position with nose tackle Eddie Goldman in the second round, and center Hroniss Grasu and running back Jeremy Langford could both develop into major contributors. (Langford, in particular, could take over for Matt Forte after he hits free agency next offseason.) This is a good class.

 

[inkfreq]

I think this is the most appropriate place for this, as opposed to starting a new topic.

McShay most improved team by each division:

NFC North: Chicago Bears

I was torn between the Bears and Vikings for this one, as Minnesota got a pair of potential starters at need positions in CB Trae Waynes and LB Eric Kendricks and two high-ceiling value picks in OT T.J. Clemmings and WR Stefon Diggs. But I just don't think the Bears had a bad pick in this draft. They got a likely starter at wide receiver at No. 7 overall in Kevin White, they filled another need position with nose tackle Eddie Goldman in the second round, and center Hroniss Grasu and running back Jeremy Langford could both develop into major contributors. (Langford, in particular, could take over for Matt Forte after he hits free agency next offseason.) This is a good class.

He's probably right too. However, in my experience, it's easy to have the best draft class in a division and fill holes too, when you draft the highest in the division.

First, it probably means you have the most holes to fill. Stands to reason.. you draft highest because you sucked worst.

Second, it's easy to hit picks easier when you pick higher because there are higher quality players available.

After Detroit came off the 0-16 season, we had very high draft grades from all the so-called experts for the next several years. 2009 and 2010 they were considered to have the best draft card in football.

Easy to do when you pick #1 and #2 in those years. But how did those picks pan out? Most of them flopped. Suh and Stafford stand out, Levy is a best, but in retrospect, terrible drafts on the whole.

But the highest graded at the time.

 

[LKP]

Lions are still a better team than Vikings and Bears. Despite their rookie adds.

Vikings have major Oline problems (left side), QB questions, there WRS aren't great, meh TEs, their Dline is very blockable despite talent and Waynes is a rookie to torch. Weakside LB is an issue too.

Bears underoing a major switch on defense. Huge questionmark there. McPhee and McDonald, Rolle were good adds but may not be enough. Fuller was torched last year. ILB and nickel issues. Cutler turnovers a major issue. White is nice but again relying on a rookie with Marshall gone. WRs take time. Guards and RB do not.

Lions should sweep both of them still.

 

[Mitchrapp]

What a homer..a delusional one at that.

 

[mhughes0021]

Lions are still a better team than Vikings and Bears. Despite their rookie adds.

Vikings have major Oline problems (left side), QB questions, there WRS aren't great, meh TEs, their Dline is very blockable despite talent and Waynes is a rookie to torch. Weakside LB is an issue too.

Bears underoing a major switch on defense. Huge questionmark there. McPhee and McDonald, Rolle were good adds but may not be enough. Fuller was torched last year. ILB and nickel issues. Cutler turnovers a major issue. White is nice but again relying on a rookie with Marshall gone. WRs take time. Guards and RB do not.

Lions should sweep both of them still.

No one's wrs take time except ours.....

 

[mhughes0021]

LOL hughes bitching that we took a guard now. It seems many teams gave him a late 1st grade.

Face it hughes, we had great value matched with depth needs. LG and depth needs were all we needed. Great job Mayhew. We got a starting guard for years at the correct value spot (after a trade down for picks and a solid vet player) got a good high character running back in space that can make big plays for us (AND return kicks and punts), a good press CB for depth on the outside that Austin can develop and a penetrating DT with potential that can step in a nice DT rotation. This is why we didn't take Carl Davis (not a penetrator). Some nice late round picks too with a FB, nickel (injuries to Bentley/Lawson) and mammoth Right Tackle.

And RB in Round 2 was correct given the RBs gone before pick 88 (Coleman, David Johnson) and Ajayi's injury. Mayhew addressed the Oline before he addressed the RB. You can't bitch about that either.

A++ for value and movement in the draft. A++ for filling needs. Now we'll see if they pan out. Nobody knows the answer to that, not me, not the experts, not the haters who say they are bad picks.

I haven't said any of them were bad picks. ....i said alot of them were bad value.

Reach for a guard
High round rb....again
Won't play much and gave a 5th rd pick up
Gave up a 3rd next year for rotational dt

Mayhew has been known to just toss away value in drafts....and its obvious his strategy doesnt work when you look at previous drafts and none of them are still here.

 

[tomdalton22]

I haven't said any of them were bad picks. ....i said alot of them were bad value.

Reach for a guard
High round rb....again
Won't play much and gave a 5th rd pick up
Gave up a 3rd next year for rotational dt

Mayhew has been known to just toss away value in drafts....and its obvious his strategy doesnt work when you look at previous drafts and none of them are still here.

from ESPN

Detroit trades into the fourth round

The Lions entered the final day of the draft having to wait almost two rounds to make a selection. They quickly altered that, giving up a third-round pick next season to jump into the fourth round and select Auburn defensive tackle Gabe Wright.

The No. 113 pick was worth 68 points, according to the chart. An average third-round pick is worth 192.5 points, so the Lions were clearly the numerical losers of this deal.

However, Detroit said it contemplated drafting Wright in the third round, so the Lions clearly believed they had value there that probably wouldn't have lasted until the fifth round. As general manager Martin Mayhew indicated, Detroit is also expecting to have an extra third-round pick as compensation for Ndamukong Suh, so that helped make a deal that, numerically, looked like a bad one to pull off.

 

[brewer229]

Lions are still a better team than Vikings and Bears. Despite their rookie adds.

Vikings have major Oline problems (left side), QB questions, there WRS aren't great, meh TEs, their Dline is very blockable despite talent and Waynes is a rookie to torch. Weakside LB is an issue too.

Bears underoing a major switch on defense. Huge questionmark there. McPhee and McDonald, Rolle were good adds but may not be enough. Fuller was torched last year. ILB and nickel issues. Cutler turnovers a major issue. White is nice but again relying on a rookie with Marshall gone. WRs take time. Guards and RB do not.

Lions should sweep both of them still.

You do realize Stafford turns the ball over far more in his career than cutler right? Scores far less TDs a well.

Rookie Bridgewater (who had major Oline problems, there WRS aren't great, meh TEs....your words) finished one one position worse than Y6Staff.

Yet one you think is top 5, the two above are major detriments to their team. Further proof you have no credibility when evaluating Lions players.

 

[tomdalton22]

some draft grades for the Lions

Yahoo sports C+
Bleacher Report B+
Mel Kiper B

 

[Mitchrapp]

from ESPN

Detroit trades into the fourth round

The Lions entered the final day of the draft having to wait almost two rounds to make a selection. They quickly altered that, giving up a third-round pick next season to jump into the fourth round and select Auburn defensive tackle Gabe Wright.

The No. 113 pick was worth 68 points, according to the chart. An average third-round pick is worth 192.5 points, so the Lions were clearly the numerical losers of this deal.

However, Detroit said it contemplated drafting Wright in the third round, so the Lions clearly believed they had value there that probably wouldn't have lasted until the fifth round. As general manager Martin Mayhew indicated, Detroit is also expecting to have an extra third-round pick as compensation for Ndamukong Suh, so that helped make a deal that, numerically, looked like a bad one to pull off.

They lose value the following year, draft picks. Which is why we gave up a 3rd and when people trade for a 3rd they give up their 2nd the next season. One, because we get a player for a whole year before the other team does. So the 192.5 points isn't really worth that the following year..

 

[inkfreq]

I haven't said any of them were bad picks. ....i said alot of them were bad value.

Reach for a guard
High round rb....again
Won't play much and gave a 5th rd pick up
Gave up a 3rd next year for rotational dt

Mayhew has been known to just toss away value in drafts....and its obvious his strategy doesnt work when you look at previous drafts and none of them are still here.

But you still haven't answered my question.

What was the right value for these picks. At what number SHOULD Laken Tomlinson have been drafted in order to achieve "value", and how do you arrive at that number?

If he's the guy we wanted, and he wouldn't have been there with our second pick, how do we say he wasn't a value with our first pick?

 

[LKP]

You do realize Stafford turns the ball over far more in his career than cutler right? Scores far less TDs a well.

Rookie Bridgewater (who had major Oline problems, there WRS aren't great, meh TEs....your words) finished one one position worse than Y6Staff.

Yet one you think is top 5, the two above are major detriments to their team. Further proof you have no credibility when evaluating Lions players.

Stafford has way more TDs per game. And less ints per game. Stafford only had 12 ints this year. Stafford is the far better QB. It's not even close.

 

[LKP]

No one's wrs take time except ours.....

Do you even follow football. Wrs usually take 2-3 years. Last year was a fluke for WR production.

 

[mhughes0021]

They lose value the following year, draft picks. Which is why we gave up a 3rd and when people trade for a 3rd they give up their 2nd the next season. One, because we get a player for a whole year before the other team does. So the 192.5 points isn't really worth that the following year..

That's the point. ...it is worth it the following year. Gabe wright filled a position of need. Love the pick. But we lose value because hes not worth a 4th and 3rd rd pick.