Detroit Lions 2010 NFL Draft and Free Agency Picks: Revised

Way the heck back on December 30, 2009, I wrote my most read article:  Detroit Lions 2010 NFL Draft and Free Agency Picks .

No one was more surprised than I to get over 7,000 reads.  There were many great comments and some really good ideas as to what the Lions should do. 

So with the draft just 17 days away, I'd like to update my picks.

Since March 5, the Lions have been fairly active and have upgraded many areas on both sides of the ball.  Most notably, acquiring defensive ends Kyle Vanden Bosch through free agency and trading for Corey Williams, trading for CB Chris Houston, and signing linebacker Landon Johnson to add some depth. 

On the offensive side of the ball the Lions signed wide receiver Nate Burleson (I called that back in December!), traded for backup quarterback Shaun Hill, and completed yet another trade with the Seattle Seahawks, this time for guard Rob Simms—their most recent acquisition.

I'm going to revise my draft picks as I think the Lions are pretty much through with free agency.  They may trade some more picks for players but Mayhew will only do that if it makes sense.

Round One —Defensive Tackle (Revised to Offensive Tackle)

Option A:  Defensive Tackle Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska

I have to stay with Suh if he's there at number two.  Having him inside with Vanden Bosch and Williams on either side of him is just too damn tempting to pass up.

Option B:  Offensive Tackle Either Russell Okung, Oklahoma State or Bruce Campbell, Maryland

I have been saying for years that the Lions need an upgrade at the left tackle position.  Jeff Backus, while an excellent run blocker, just cannot pass protect.  Last season Backus gave up 9.25 sacks, the worst in the NFL.  In 2008 he again gave up 9.25 sacks and was ranked fourth worst in the NFL.  With the addition of Simms, the Lions might just decide to move Backus to the right side and have Cherilus on the bench, which would give them some much needed depth.

Walter Football has a great article, Ten Reasons Why the Detroit Lions Must Draft Russell Okung.   He's 6'5", 307 lbs with 36" arms.  He's a patient pass protector with great lateral agility and is just as good a run blocker (if not better) as Backus.

As for Campbell, he's an athletic freak.  Good awareness, with great ability to pick up the blitz and solid on run blocking.  He ran a 4.85 at the Combine, which is very fast considering he is a 6'6", 314 lb player.

Round Two —Cornerback (Revised to Safety or Linebacker)

Option A:  Cornerback Nate Allen, South Florida

Lions can forget about getting Eric Berry or Taylor Mays in the second round.  The best option for them would be Nate Allen.  At 6'0" and 207 lbs, he'd be a great match with safety Louis Delmas.  He's a solid playmaker and takes good angles in run support.  Like Delmas, he is a ball hawk who can change the game in an instant.  He's a physical player and a team leader.

Option B:  Linebacker Jamar Chaney, Mississippi State

I know the Lions are pretty deep at linebacker but we did lose Larry Foote who went back to the Steelers.  Chaney recorded the fastest 40-yard time at the Combine of any linebacker (4.51).  At 6'1" and 240 lbs, he can play any linebacker spot.  He recorded 90 tackles with two sacks as a senior last year.

Round Three —Defensive End (Revised to Running Back or Wide Receiver)

Option A:  Running Back Dexter McCluster, Ole Miss

In my opinion, there isn't much talent available at running back in this year's draft, but I like McCluster because he's more of a multipurpose player than an every down back.  The Lions could use him much like the Patriots use Kevin Faulk, who's made a great living at being just that.  McCluster fills the bill when you consider his 2007 season, where he rushed for 655 yards and caught for another 625 yards.  I'm sure Lions fans would take 1,280 yards of production from McCluster.

Option B:  Wide Receiver Carlton Mitchell, South Florida

The more weapons you can give Matthew Stafford, the better off the offensive production is going to be.  Mitchell is tall (6'3"), fast (4.40 at his Pro Day), and averaged 15.7 yards per catch in four years at South Florida.  With Calvin Johnson and Nate Burleson out wide and Mitchell in the slot, you would potentially have three very dangerous threats.  Add Brandon Pettigrew to the mix and defenses won't be able to key on one player, especially CJ.

Round Four —Offensive Guard (Revised to Center)

Option A:  Matt Tennat, Boston College

Dominic Raiola isn't getting any younger.  He's done a great job in his 10-year career with the Lions, but the Lions need to start thinking about legacy and about keeping a high level of talent at one of the most important positions on the field.  Tennat is a solid, dependable center and started every game that QB Matt Ryan played in Boston College.

Option B:  Eric Olsen, Notre Dame

Other than Joe Montana, I really don't favor Notre Dame players, but Olsen would be hard to pass up.  At 6'4" and 306 lbs, he's bigger and wider than either Raiola or Tennat and he also has the capability to play either guard spot.

Skipping to round seven as the Lions traded away their fifth and sixth round picks.  Lions have two picks in the seventh at #214 and Mr. Irrelevant at #255.

Round 7 - Center (Revised to Fullback and Kicker)

#214 - Fullback Rashawn Jackson, Virginia

Don't get me wrong, I like Jerome Felton a lot.  But it never hurts to have a look at another big body at fullback.  Jackson, at 6'1" and 239 lbs, fills the bill.  He was one of the best blockers in 2010 and does a nice job catching the ball out of the backfield.  If it wasn't for his felony charge in connection with a burglary, he might be rated higher.

#255 - Mr. Irrelevant, kicker Brett Swenson, Michigan State

Seems odd to say we need to replace Jason Hansen with Mr. Irrelevant, but Swenson is worth a look.  He had a good year in 2009, converting 19 of 22, including five of seven from over 40 yards.

With the moves that Mayhew and Company have made, the Lions have a lot more flexibility in this year's draft.  There really isn't a glaring need any more at any particular spot, but a draft like this or similar to it would give them a pretty deep team, talent-wise, something they haven't had in the last decade or so.

Looking toward the draft with much anticipation now!