Draft Day in Detroit

For years Detroit fans spent the days following the draft shaking their heads in disgust. Years after, the woes only got worse as the draft busts grew into NFL busts. This year however has left fans with a  slightly different taste in their mouths. For most, it's not excitement or disgust, it is a feeling of content. The Lion's didn't take any gambles and they didn't get any superstars, but they did get their guys and players that should work well in the system. Let's take a look at the newest Lions.

1st Round

Gosder Cherilus          OT          Boston College          17th overall

The Lions had the 15thoverall pick and had the chance to take offensive lineman Branden Albert, who was one of the best lineman in the draft and could have given their offensive line a well needed boost. Instead they traded down with the Cheifs to get the 17thoverall pick, swap third round picks, and pick up a fifthround pick. At this point everyone was thinking that the running back Rashard Mendenhall would be selected by the Lions. Wrong. The Lions shocked their fans withthis selection especially passing on Albert. At first I was completely disgusted with this pick, but overnight i was able to sleep on it and get the facts.

Gosderis a great run blocker witha massive frame and plays with a mean streak. What stood out most to me however wasn't his quick feet or his huge arms or hands. It was his interview. The pick made sense after his interview. It showed that all he knows is football and that's all he wants to do. He is the high integrity football character guy that Marinelli has been talking about since he got here. I don't think it was the best pick that could have been made at the time, but we will see in a few years.

How he will affect the team

He will most likely start at right tackle this season and I wouldn't be surprised to see plenty of runs to the right either. This leaves Jeff Backus to start at left tackle. My hope is that if the Lions can't get a better left tackle in the coming seasons, Gosder will be moved over to the left and another tackle is plugged in on the right side.

Second Round

Jordon Dizon          OLB          Colorado          14th/45th overall

Linebacker is a huge need for Detroit with the only note worthy linebackers on the roster being weak-side linebacker Ernie Sims and Paris Lenon who played middle linebacker last season for Detroit. Dizonis an undersized linebacker that isn't the fastest and has trouble in man-to-man coverage. So how did he record 160 total tackles (120 solo) in his senior year alone? He has amazing recognition skills and is very quick to react when the play starts. When in zone coverage he is rarely caught out of position and moves from sideline to sideline with the best of them.

How he will affect the team

The Lions will be looking for Dizonto start at middle linebacker in the upcoming season. Obviously there are some concerns about his size and power withplaying in the middle, but you cannot argue with his production. He is a smart player who will learn the "Tampa Two" system quickly. This will more than likely move Lenonto the strong side, which I believe he will be more comfortable with.

3rd Round

Kevin Smith          RB          Central Florida          1st/64th overall

Detroit traded the third round pick they swapped with Kansas City and their sixth rounder to move up to the first pick in the third round. With him they finally upgraded their abysmal run offense. He ran for 2,567 yards in his final year in college alone. That puts him behind only one collegiate rusher, former Lion Barry Sanders. He also led the nation in scoring and recorded a record setting 450 carries in a single season. It is hard to argue with that production. He is a workhorse and is a welcomed addition to the Lion's offense.

How he will affect the team

My guess would be that he would be the primary part of a two back tandem with Tatum Bell. The new zone blocking scheme that Detroit has talked about using should help him put up productive numbers. He does have some durability concerns, but not being the feature back should take some of that worry away. The thing that Kevin needs to worry about is not getting caught up in the comparisons of him to Barry Sanders.

Andre Fluellen          DT          Florida State          24th/87th overall

Just like Dizon, Andre is a typical Marinelli type-player. He has a great motor and is known for playing relentlessly from the snap until the whistle. He is a bit undersized and has a few durability concerns, but plenty of time in the gym could help remove some of those doubts. The same can be said about any concerns about his lower body strength.

How he will affect the team

He will most likely compete for a starting job as the #2 defensive tackle. He will at the very least be involved in a rotation of Cory Redding and Chuck Darby. He is in a great position because he won't be forced to start on day one and will be given time to learn the system and bulk up a bit.

Cliff Avril          DE          Purdue          29th/92nd overall

Yet another Marinelli guy. This guy is a speed rusher with 4.5 40-time speed who plays with a good motor. He has some size concerns, but has long arms that he uses effectively in getting to the quarterback. When he plays with a mean streak he can take his pass rushing ability to the next level.

How he will affect the team

He is going to come in and could compete with Jared DeVries and Dewayne White to start on either end. Most likely he will be a primary back-up used in a rotation where he sees work mostly on pass defenses. He can add to the Lion's almost non-existent pass rush as early as next season.

Fifth Round

Kenneth Moore          WR          Wake Forest          1st/136th overall

Huh? I wonder if this pick was just bad habits coming back to haunt them. I realize that a Lion's draft without a receiver is seen about as often as the Loch Ness monster. With Roy Williams, Calvin Johnson, Mike Furrey, and Shaun McDonald already in the ranks, I would like to think that they didn't select him as a fifth receiver as he isn't better than any of those four. This leaves him as a return man, and although he is a very athletic and versatile player, he isn't a good enough return man to be drafted this high or maybe at all.

How he will affect the team

Assuming he makes the team, he will most likely be a fifth receiver and will compete to be the kick/punt returner. The team hasn't had a good return specialist since Eddie Drummond, and unfortunately i don't see him changing that anytime soon. Hopefully I will get proven wrong.

Jerome Felton          FB          Furman          11th/146th overall

I thought that the Lion's had more pressing needs than fullback. Yes their running game was bad last year, but when you run as little as they did, it is to be expected. Besides, Jon Bradley and Casey Fitzsimmons did a good enough job. Jerome isn't even a dominant blocker. He is a rushing fullback who would add more in short yardage situations than he would as an every down fullback. Personally I believe that Owen Schmitt would have been a better pick if the team was looking for a fullback.

How he will affect the team

Not sure on this one. If he gets used, it will be in short yard situations, so look for him there. Then again he could work on blocking from now until preseason and then win the starting fullback job. If that happens, then the pick could pay off as he is a good runner for a fullback and would give the team another running option every down. Only time will tell.

Seventh Round

Landon Cohen          DT          Ohio          9th/216th overall

They took another defensive tackle? As questionable a call as this is, let's look at it. The one thing that he is really good at it disrupting the rush. Well there is a plus, now here is the down side. His size would make opposing offenses want to rush straight at him. Not too many professional offensive lineman would have any trouble pushing him around.

How he will affect the team

Honestly, he probably won't. His biggest impact will be pushing the five defensive tackles ahead of him on the depth chart a little harder during training camp. I don't expect him to stick. Mostly because as it is the Lions will have five defensive tackles that are better than him (assuming they sign Andre Fluellen).

Caleb Campbell          S/OLB          Army          11th/218th overall

He is the highest drafted player out of Army since 1947. He has good range and plays at his best when defending the run. I can't imagine that his discipline and intelligence would be qualities that Marinelli would hate. If he were to bulk up a bit (say 10 to 15 pounds) he could make a decent outside linebacker.

How he will affect the team

I wouldn't be surprised if he made the team. Marinelli says that he wants guys that love to play the game and are willing to do what it takes to get on the field. I have to think that Caleb can fit that part. His alternative his possibly going to fight in the war. If he does make the team, he will be a strong special teams player.