I Would Love to Go to Detroit…

The Lions released Orlovsky, traded Kitna and signed wideout Bryant Johnson.  That leaves Daunte Culpepper as the leader of the Lions passing attack (for now) and showcases Calvin Johnson as the big play-maker on offense.

The Lions also added signed offensive tackle Daniel Loper and linebacker Cody Spencer.

So far, the Lions are following the model of minor upgrades across the board before draft day.

*****

I’m being completely honest, and it has nothing to do with money, but…

Not counting the compensatory picks at the end of the late rounds (3-7), the Lions have eight picks at their disposal.  Obviously they have the number one overall pick.  They also have the 20th pick of round one, acquired from Dallas in the Roy Williams trade.  The Lions open up selections in the second, third, fifth and sixth rounds, while also having the 18th pick of the third round and the 19th pick of the sixth round.  Moral of the story, the Lions have five of the first 82 picks.

If I were the GM of the Lions, my draft would look a little like this for the first thee rounds.

Round 1, Pick 1, Detroit selects Aaron Curry (LB – Wake Forest).  This kid has too much potential for the Lions to pass up on.  He has shown his explosiveness and strength at the combine, and I feel that the pure talent of the Wake Forest linebacker is too much to pass up on.  I know the golden rule of the NFL draft, the old cliché, is that “if you don’t have a franchise QB, get one.”

Round 1, Pick 20, Detroit selects Josh Freeman (QB – Kansas State).  6’6”, 250 pounds and a laser rocket arm.  Freeman has the body of an NFL quarterback, and one that can take the hits as the offensive line gets settled in.  Freeman played a pro-style offense under Ron Prince at Kansas State and has all the weapons needed.  His calm demeanor makes him a great fit in Detroit, in a system that is on the rise offensively.

Round 2, Pick 1, Detroit selects Michael Johnson (DE – Georgia Tech).  With the Lions running a 4-3 defense, as coach Jim Schwartz plans to do, you need a stronger player inside and a pass-rusher outside.  Grady Jackson is a temporary fix for now on the interior of the defensive line.  Johnson is a strong player that can provide pressure from the outside, while allowing Jackson, Curry and Sims to handle the interior gaps.

Round 3, Pick 1, Detroit selects Fili Moala (DE/DT – USC).  And then the Lions had a defensive line.  Free agency has seen the Lions fill the voids in the secondary.  With the young combination of Curry and Sims, the linebacking corps is set (Dizon could be a future stud as well), and the defensive line needs one more solid young star.  Moala provides that, and provides it well.  It is highly likely that Moala will be picked late in the second round, but if it’s me and he is available, consider it done.

Round 3, Pick 18, Detroit selects Jason Watkins (OT – Florida).  Watkins is a very well built lineman, with his speed off the line being a huge asset.  He has strong arms and is extremely coordinated.  I take Watkins here to give the offensive line a boost, and if it doesn’t work out, I focus on the offensive line for my first pick of the draft, wherever that may be.

*****

I’m being completely honest, and it has nothing to do with money, but…

Three rounds and five picks later, the Lions could be looking at a stud linebacker, a consistent gunslinger, a pair of defensive linemen and an offensive tackle.  I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Lions take a WR or a safety in the later rounds, but I like the idea of going after Curry then focusing on the lines.

Freeman would be the exception simply because I just cannot put a vote of confidence in Daunte Culpepper to lead the Lions next season.

All in all, as a Lions fan, I am not going to be happy with the draft.  I cannot remember the last time that I was, frankly.

NFL Draft day will come on April 25^th. I will throw on my jersey with the hope that with Millen gone that this year will be different.  But when Millen got fired, they just promoted from within, so what really changed?  I will walk away with my head down thinking where we could go any more wrong from last year.  The Lions will come out in 2009 and probably still be the worst team in the NFC North.  But we are still rebuilding.  To the Lions front office I ask you to, please, make the smart picks that produce wins, not season ticket sales.

I’m being completely honest, and it has nothing to do with money, but I would love to go to Detroit.  Well that is a good thing Mister Stafford, because it’s looking like you are coming to Motown.

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