NFL Draft 2011: Should Detroit Lions Go After Another Spartan?

I was watching the discussions about the Combines today and it struck me that the Lions could pick up three to four players from Michigan State based on their performance.

All of them would have to perform exceptionally well at the Combines.

Currently, there is only one player left on the team from MSU, and that is third-string quarterback, Drew Stanton.  I'm not counting Julian Peterson because the coaching staff have already made it known that he will not be returning.

Michigan State finished their regular season at 11-1 and then lost to Alabama in the Capital One Bowl (by a lot).

The four potential draft picks I am referring to are:  Greg Jones, Chris Rucker, Mark Dell, and Charlie Gantt.

I would expect, depending on where Jones lands in the draft, that the 6-foot-1, 240 pounds, two-time All-American linebacker who led the Spartans in tackles, tackles for loss, forced fumbles and quarterback hurries would be first on the Lions list to look for.  Whew, that was a mouthful.

If you asked the Michigan State football coach, Mark Dantonio, what he thought, he would say that he expects Jones to have a long and productive career in the NFL.

Dantonio also stated in a press release about Jones, that, "he'll play immediately on special teams.”  “Greg is a very instinctive player, who finds a way to get to the football. He reacts well to sudden changes in direction, and he's added weight to strengthen his durability.”

Jones can play both at inside and outside linebacker positions, but because of his size it is likely that he will play at the outside position in the NFL.

The upside of Jones is that he is a flexible, instinctive player and his strength lies in rushing the passer. He also tends to tackle low and uses his size as an advantage in his tackling skills. This would be good for the Lions, even if he didn't play right away.

However, Jones did not have a great showing at the Senior Bowl so the Combine will be very important in terms showcasing his talents. He is currently projected to be the top ILB and slated go in the second round. Some have said he would be best suited to play Tampa-Two because he does better in zone coverage.

I have seen very few analysts even putting Jones on the Lions radar. With bigger and stronger LB's on the board, I would be surprised to see Mayhew taking Jones. But his run-stuffing ability does fit a need in Detroit, and though he is listed as an ILB, most believe he will play OLB in the NFL. He just needs to bulk up a little more. 

Kyle Vanden Bosch can help him with that.

The next player who might catch the attention of the Lions staff is Chris Rucker, who is a 6-2, 200 pound cornerback.

Everyone is talking about Detroit's need for an effective shutdown CB.

Dantonio stated,  “In addition to being an excellent tackler, he has the size and ball skills to play a variety of positions in the secondary,” he said.

Rucker had a few off the field run-ins with the police for assault and a DUI. He can grow up and never have another legal issue again or it could be a red flag pointing to his character.

I'm not seeing the Detroit Lions in Rucker's future. 

Mark Dell is 6'1" and weighs in at about 200 pounds. Though he didn't break 1000 yards as a WR, he did have career-highs in receptions, receiving yards (788) and touchdown catches for MSU. State may have seen him as a two-down receiver as 42 of his 51 receptions resulted in either a first down or touchdown. 

Dell is ranked fifteenth among WR's in the draft and projected to go in the fifth round.  He could be a good value pick.

The final MSU player who will be at the Combines is TE Charlie Gantt. Gantt is 6-5 and weighs 255 pounds. He is a three-year starter at tight end, had 65 career receptions for 951 yards and nine touchdowns. He is ranked fifth overall for Tight Ends and is projected to go in the fourth round.

The Lions are likely to pass on a tight end position this year with Scheffler and Pettigrew at the starting spots and other positions needing more attention. Otherwise, Gantt could also be a good value depending on where he actually lands in the draft.

If the Lions go with any Spartans in the draft, I think it will be either Jones or Dell. 

Just to clarify, there will be other players from State who will be in the draft, just not at the Combines. 

What are your thoughts, Lions fans?  Will Schwartz and Mayhew pursue any of them in the draft?  If not, would they consider taking them as undrafted free agents?