2012 NFL Scouting Combine: 7 Players the Detroit Lions Will Be Watching Closely

There are seven players headed for the 2012 NFL Combine the Detroit Lions need to keep a watchful eye on as they begin the onslaught of peripheral football skills competition.

Grab the stopwatch, set up your shuttle blocks, the combine is only days away. The NFL will continue its dominance of the Indianapolis scene as they will follow-up Super Bowl XLVI with another takeover of Lucas Oil Stadium for the talent show that will have immense effect on the grading of several young men trying to make their way into the pinnacle of professional football.

The draft is an inexact science. One team values what they see on tape, while another gets giddy over the number of 225-pound reps a player knocks out on the bench.

The formula by which all 32 NFL teams abide varies more than Lady Gaga’s fashion plate and if we were privy to all the intangibles, probably more shocking.

Check that, nothing’s more shocking to me than that chick. The real-life Crying Game.

With that said, here are seven players headed to Indy the Lions should be watching closely.

For reference, here are my past looks at 2012 Detroit Lions draft prospects:

Preliminary Seven-Round Mock, January 17

Seven Additional Draft Targets, January 24

Vinny Curry: Defensive End, Marshall

With Cliff Avril apparently ready to play hardball, the Lions should be watching Vinny Curry.

The senior defensive end from Marshall has been impressive for the last two years tallying 11 sacks in his junior year and 12 this past season.

But this Buffalo can do more than just rush the quarterback. He also had 22 tackles for loss, seven forced fumbles and three blocked kicks last year while receiving double teams often–yeah the kid can dominate.

He showed it at the Senior Bowl week against the best headed for the NFL. He dominated projected first-rounder Mike Adams from Ohio State during practice and had a strip/sack and forced an interception in the game itself.

Most projected the 6’3” and 265-pound end to end up as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme, but having added 10 pounds this year, he has the size and speed the Lions covet for their “wide-9” philosophy.

His raw speed and athleticism will be on display at the combine and could push him into the end of the first round and maybe higher.

If the Lions can’t get things right with Avril, Curry will become a very attractive option.

Doug Martin: Running Back, Boise State

After burning high draft picks in back-to-back years on a running back, do the Lions need or want to do it again?

The answer to both is yes and probably.

The Lions currently have nobody in the backfield they can trust; the injury bug has attacked the Lions backfield like paparazzi at the Oscars.

The Lions are not in a position to drop big coin on a running back, although I’d be interested to see what the asking price for Mike Tolbert will be.

Thus, the Lions will need to employ some “Moneyball” principles and take their chances on another inexpensive rookie running back.

Doug Martin is a perfect fit for the system, a solid three-down back with the ability to pick up the blitz.

At 5’9 and 219 pounds, Martin is a chiseled specimen with great lower body strength. I’m not saying he’s the next Barry Sanders, but his build can withstand the hits associated with NFL beatdowns.

He has been compared to Ray Rice, showing good speed, ability to break tackles and catch the ball out of the backfield.

He had a good showing at the Senior Bowl, but what will go unnoticed by most is the downfield block that got the North in the end zone.

Effort like that endears players with talent to coaches and if he has a good showing in Indy, the Lions will probably have to pony-up a second-round pick to get the Bronco.

Mitchell Schwartz: Offensive Tackle, California

If the Lions can’t get their offensive tackle on day one, Mitchell Schwartz could be on their radar.

The Cal Bear started every game of his collegiate career playing both left and right tackle.

At 6’5” and 317 pounds, Schwartz has the measurables to start on Sundays, but might not be the blue-chipper the Lions want protecting their franchise quarterback for the next several years.

Schwartz had a good Senior Bowl week; he was excelling in pass-rushing drills and was acceptable in run blocking one-on-ones.

It continued into the game itself where he stalemated both Quinton Coples and Courtney Upshaw.

Most have come to terms with the fact that Jeff Backus will be back for another year at left tackle, but wouldn’t it be nice for the back-up to have no injury history and stay off the IR, unlike Jason Fox?

Sharing the same last name with the Detroit Lions head coach, The Schwartz may be with Mitchell.

Bobby Wagner: Inside Linebacker, Utah State

When you’re named North’s Most Outstanding Player in the Senior Bowl, your stock is on the move.

Bobby Wagner had a great week and a memorable game. With seven tackles, one for loss, an interception and a pass break-up at the goal line, it was obvious to see why Wagner was a two-time All-WAC first-teamer.

At 6’1" and 240 pounds, he’s not the biggest linebacker in the draft, but with the size up front on the Lion’s defense, speed and tackling ability are the bigger concerns.

He’s got that covered. With 133 tackles in his junior year and 147 last year, Wagner has a nose for the ball and with above average athleticism and great quickness off the ball, Wagner can fill the holes created by Suh and Fairley if Stephen Tulloch cannot be retained.

He also has played all three linebacker positions, so his versatility will not hurt his draft stock and should push him into a day two selection.

Phillip Blake: Center, Baylor

We’re all clamoring for the replacement—or at least an understudy—for Dominic Raiola, but the Lions might just take their time and wait on Justin Blake.

The senior from Baylor helped the Bears have the second best offense in Division I college football as the quarterback of their offensive line along with that RGIII fella.

Blake is a versatile, dependable player. He started his collegiate career at right tackle and slid to center in his junior year, never missing a game.

His skill set will allow him to play all three inside positions and tackle if necessary. The Lions have one of the oldest offensive lines in football and with the cagey veteran status resulting in only middle of the road results, it’s time to get younger up front.

The 6'3" and 315-pound Blake could be a steal in the middle of the draft and is worth keeping track of from the comfort of your family room couch.

Danny Trevathan: Outside Linebacker, Kentucky

How the NCAA sixth-ranked player in tackles goes largely unnoticed, even without a bowl appearance, is a head-scratcher to me.

Danny Trevathan’s senior campaign of 143 tackles was also the best in the SEC, a feat he has accomplished in two consecutive years.

He’s been All-SEC for two years. Not all C-USA or All-MAC, but Southeastern Conference, the best in college football. He wasn’t even invited to the East-West Shrine game or the Senior Bowl, but he’ll be at the combine.

He’s an explosive, physical tackler and routinely comes up with the “splash” play. But at 6’1 he’s not the tallest, but neither was Chris Spielman.

Trevathan is a weakside backer, so he will not fill an immediate void, but Justin Durant will be in the final year of his contract next year and will probably create a similar dilemma for the Lions in 2013 as we are about to watch them play out with Tulloch.

Most NFL teams hope for the best. The great organizations plan for the worst. Stealing Trevathan late in the draft would be another feather in the hat of Martin Mayhew.

Plus, he wore the number 22, stretched to its limits famously by former Kentucky quarterback Jared Lorenzen a.k.a. The Pilsbury Throwboy. How can you not love this guy?

Stephen Hill: Wide Receiver, Georgia Tech

If the Detroit Lions draft Stephen Hill, his instant new nickname will be “Minitron.”

The 6’4” and 206-pound junior wide receiver from Georgia Tech will need to bulk up for a comparison to his fellow Yellowjacket Calvin Johnson, but Hill has sleeper written all over him.

That’s not just my opinion; ESPN Analyst Todd McShay listed him as one of his five NFL Combine Sleepers.

He only caught 28 passes last season, but for a whopping 820 yards, nearly 30 yards per reception. Georgia Tech’s option offense allowed for big plays downfield at times and Hill has the jets to get downfield in a hurry.

He will be available late—or a first-round selection if Al Davis is still calling the shots from up above or down below—because his talents are raw and he’ll need to be “coached-up” and learn from veterans willing to teach. Nate Burleson fits this category perfectly.

This would be a nice olive branch to Calvin Johnson to see a fellow Ramblin’ Wreck player on the squad. Every little bit helps when you’re trying to re-sign the best player on your squad.