Lions First Round Pick

[grandy]

With about a week to go, it's time for predictions.

Who do you think the Lions take with their first pick in the draft this year? (what you think will happen, not what you want)

You can also note if it will be through a trade up/down.

 

[michiganalex]

i think trade down to get denarrd

 

[thehippo73]

I choose Gilbert but I could see Barr as an option. With how our defense is changing, we need a pass rushing LB more than a starting CB.

 

[LKP]

I think Ebron is the pick. Mayhew wants to get another weapon for Stafford and I think someone else offers more to trade up into the top 5 or someone just flat out takes Watkins. Ebron will get plenty of snaps (see Graham/Watson and Pettigrew/Scheffler snaps in 2010-2012). And we need a down the seam threat TE. It completely changes our offense for the better too.

Gilbert/Dennard, Dix, Barr and even Lewan are equally possible at 10 IMO though. But gut feeling is Ebron.

My want is a trade up for Watkins but I'm ok with all these guys. I'm meh on Barr and Donald though but I'll give them a chance if picked.

 

[sggatecl]

I think Ebron is the pick. Mayhew wants to get another weapon for Stafford and I think someone else offers more to trade up into the top 5 or someone just flat out takes Watkins. Ebron will get plenty of snaps (see Graham/Watson and Pettigrew/Scheffler snaps in 2010-2012). And we need a down the seam threat TE. It completely changes our offense for the better too.

Gilbert/Dennard, Dix, Barr and even Lewan are equally possible at 10 IMO though. But gut feeling is Ebron.

My want is a trade up for Watkins but I'm ok with all these guys. I'm meh on Barr and Donald though but I'll give them a chance if picked.

If they don't or are unable to trade up for Watkins, I also would like to see Ebron at 10. This means they will likely pick Gilbert and I'll piss and moan.

So my vote is Gilbert as who I think that's who they will pick. I hope I'm wrong.

 

[michiganalex]

i think it could be 50/50 itll be Gilbert/Barr

 

[lucke]

if they don't trade up for Watkins, i think they'll go defense and select HHCD

 

[lgolfer]

I ended up voting Barr, but I hope they don't take him. Staying at #10, I think the Lions best options are Gilbert, Aaron Donald, or Ebron, in that order.

 

[Mitchrapp]

I picked Ebron too. I would have loved the pick before Pettigrew resigned with us but now, imo, makes little sense. That's too much money for a guy who will be the second option after a rookie.

 

[michiganalex]

don't forget Fauria too

 

[LKP]

I picked Ebron too. I would have loved the pick before Pettigrew resigned with us but now, imo, makes little sense. That's too much money for a guy who will be the second option after a rookie.

There are plenty of snaps for both and would complement each other very well. Graham had over 700 snaps and Watson had 500 snaps for the Saints last year. Plenty for Pettigrew and Scheffler too from 2010-2012.72,42 and 84 targets for Scheffler in 2010-2012. Two TEs can be used a ton. Pettigrew does not stop us at all from picking Ebron. It makes our offense difficult to predict with Ebron on top of the new coaches.

Ebron can play in the slot too. It completely changes our offense in a postive way.

Ebron, Round 2 Jason Verrett or Jimmie Ward/Buchannon if we stay 10 and 45.

 

[thehippo73]

There are plenty of snaps for both and would complement each other very well. Graham had over 700 snaps and Watson had 500 snaps for the Saints last year. Plenty for Pettigrew and Scheffler too from 2010-2012.72,42 and 84 targets for Scheffler in 2010-2012. Two TEs can be used a ton. Pettigrew does not stop us at all from picking Ebron. It makes our offense difficult to predict with Ebron on top of the new coaches.

Ebron can play in the slot too. It completely changes our offense in a postive way.

Ebron, Round 2 Jason Verrett or Jimmie Ward/Buchannon if we stay 10 and 45.

Pettigrew may not stop us from taking Ebron. Fauria does. We have 2 capable TEs. Why overload at that position when we clearly have other bigger holes in the roster? Give me OLB, CB, DE or WR before picking a TE. I wouldn't even draft a TE this year unless the value in a later round is overwhelming.

 

[LKP]

Pettigrew may not stop us from taking Ebron. Fauria does. We have 2 capable TEs. Why overload at that position when we clearly have other bigger holes in the roster? Give me OLB, CB, DE or WR before picking a TE. I wouldn't even draft a TE this year unless the value in a later round is overwhelming.

Fauria is not a seam TE like Ebron. Fauria is a redzone threat that can beat a zone. He's a little faster than Pettigrew but he's nowhere near Ebron with separation ability or matchup ability. Fauria does not stop us from taking Ebron.

Ebron is BPA over Barr and Donald. Ebron is more of a need than Lewan.

Ebron or Gilbert/Dennard will be interesting to see what Mayhew thinks.

 

[atxlion82]

Fauria is not a seam TE like Ebron. Fauria is a redzone threat that can beat a zone. He's a little faster than Pettigrew but he's nowhere near Ebron with separation ability or matchup ability. Fauria does not stop us from taking Ebron.

Ebron is BPA over Barr and Donald. Ebron is more of a need than Lewan.

Ebron or Gilbert/Dennard will be interesting to see what Mayhew thinks.

Ebron would play mostly in the slot allowing us to move Tate to the outside where he has been most productive. Ebron is drawing comparisons to Graham and V. Davis. If he even comes close to their production I am ok with picking him up at 10.

 

[LKP]

Ebron would play mostly in the slot allowing us to move Tate to the outside where he has been most productive. Ebron is drawing comparisons to Graham and V. Davis. If he even comes close to their production I am ok with picking him up at 10.

Well there is a big difference from Graham and Davis. 1,200 yards and 850 yards. I'll take 750 yards from Ebron with efficiency in comp %. I think Fauria is still the TD guy though.

 

[atxlion82]

Well there is a big difference from Graham and Davis. 1,200 yards and 850 yards. I'll take 750 yards from Ebron with efficiency in comp %. I think Fauria is still the TD guy though.

You cant just look at production though. Look at who the QB is and also the offense they run. Not saying that VD is Graham, but he is still a damn good TE.

 

[Mitchrapp]

I remember when Kurt Gibson was the next Micky Mantle. Comparisons don't mean a thing..

 

[lucke]

i also thought that Tony pointed it out about Ebron's penchant for drops... is that something that we really want (if it's even true)?

 

[LKP]

Weaknesses

Lacks ideal height and bulk. Can improve as a blocker, both in-line and on the move -- could stand to improve technique, physicality and finish. Not equipped to lock horns with NFL defensive ends. Inconsistent adjusting to and fitting on moving targets. Blocking effort does not parallel that of receiving. Could stand to play with more consistent intensity and focus. Occasional concentration drop. Ordinary touchdown production. Cannot be used as a fullback.

 

[LKP]

Strengths

Outstanding athletic ability and receiving skills. Threatens every level. Advanced route runner. Releases cleanly and accelerates into patterns. Pierces the seam and is a mismatch vs. man coverage -- regularly bested defensive backs. Terrific balance, agility and body control. Catches cleanly off his frame. Makes one-handed grabs look routine. Big catch radius. Catches on the move and has an extra gear to pile up yards. Had 875 yards receiving as a junior, breaking Vernon Davis' ACC record. Will be a 21-year-old rookie.