NFL Draft 2011: 10 Players Who Could Turn the Lions into NFC North Contenders
When it comes to being a Detroit Lions fan, one thing is for sure: It's not easy...
The Lions have been in the dumpster of the NFC North for well over a decade. Green Bay, Minnesota and Chicago have all been on top of the division with Detroit looking up. But, with a 4-0 finish to close out the 2010 season, there could be light at the end of the tunnel for Detroit.
The Lions finished with a 6-10 record last season and will have the No. 13 pick in this year's draft. Jim Schwartz's team needs to fill three major positions in the draft—linebacker, cornerback and offensive tackle. But will there be players available at those positions for the Lions with that pick?
Let's break this down and take a look at 10 players in this year's NFL Draft who could potentially turn the Lions into NFC North contenders.
Let's get this started, right here, right now.
10. J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin
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One could make an argument that the Lions had the most improved defensive line in all of football last year.
Ndamukong Suh is already one of the top defensive tackles in the NFL after just one year playing in the league. His partner in crime, Corey Williams, had a solid year as well, and together, those two make up one of the top tackle duos in the NFC.
On the outside, the Lions added Kyle Vanden Bosh, who ranked second amongst defensive linemen in tackles, but only totaled four sacks on the year. Opposite of him is Cliff Avril, who also put together a good year with 8.5 sacks, but only totaled 33 tackles from the defensive end position.
If Detroit could add one more dominant defensive end to the equation, they would make a case for having the best defensive front in all of football.
While J.J. Watt might not be dominant right off the bat once he comes into the league, this is a guy that has all the intangibles to become a star in a few years.
He has the ideal work ethic and a nonstop motor that became more than evident as he terrorized Big Ten quarterbacks in 2010. The former Wisconsin standout recorded seven sacks last season while leading one of the top defensive units in the country.
Again, this isn't a guy that would make Detroit the top team in the NFC North right away. But he would certainly be a welcome addition that could help them contend down the road.
9. Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
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I know what you are probably thinking here: Detroit doesn't need a running back, and Mark Ingram isn't even a top 10 rated player in this year's draft.
But, before you jump to that conclusion, think about this for a minute.
Jahvid Best started last season on a tear and looked like he was poised to be the Offensive Rookie of the Year after the first three weeks of the season. But then, midway through the year, Best suffered a nagging turf toe injury that really slowed him down for the remainder of 2010.
The year before that, Best sat out the majority of the college football season after suffering a concussion on one of the most frightening plays in college football.
My point here is that this guy isn't exactly the most healthy player in football. When he is healthy, he is one of the most electric backs in the NFL. So how good would Detroit's backfield be if they could add another top-notch back who was known for running people over, as opposed to running by them?
If the Lions added Mark Ingram, he could help form the ultimate "thunder and lightning" running back duo in the league. Maybe not now, but certainly in two to three years.
Now, I don't think that Detroit should use the No. 13 pick in the draft on a running back, no matter who it is. But, if were talking about players who could make Detroit into a contender in the NFC North, it doesn't matter if you have Clay Matthews, Jared Allen or Julius Peppers. No one is going to be able to consistently stop a running back duo like the one Best and Ingram could form in Detroit.
8. Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina
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When you look at defensive ends available in this year's draft class, North Carolina's Robert Quinn is the guy that stands out the most.
He has the physical tools that every coach looks for in a defensive end, having been compared to former UNC Tar Heel Julius Peppers. In fact, had it not been for his off-the-field issues this past season, Quinn very well could have been a top-five selection.
As we mentioned in the previous slide, Detroit already has a ton of talent on their defensive line, and by no means am I suggesting that the Lions should draft a defensive end with their first round selection. But if we are talking about guys that could come in and take this team from the bottom of the NFC North to being a contender, it would be pretty hard to leave Quinn off that list.
This is a guy that is going to come into the league and instantly be a sack machine for whatever team is lucky enough to snag him on draft day 2011.
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7. Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College
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Anyone who has followed the Detroit Lions over the past couple of years knows how badly this team needs a good offensive tackle.
While this year's draft class doesn't feature that one dominant offensive tackle, like a Jake Long or D'Brickashaw Ferguson, there are some good ones that should start falling off the board early-to-midway through the first round.
One guy that stands out is Boston College OT, Anthony Castonzo.
At 6'7", 305 pounds, the former BC standout has NFL size and possesses superior athleticism at the tackle position. He's a four-year starter who is hands-down, one of the top two offensive linemen in this year's draft class.
It would be nice to know how good Matthew Stafford could be in the NFL. But unfortunately, because of Detroit's lack of talent at the offensive tackle position, fans have not gotten to see Stafford at his best yet.
By adding a guy like Castonzo, perhaps Detroit fans would now get that chance.
6. Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
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Most of you are laughing at this slide, thinking to yourself, not another receiver!
Well, take a deep breath because it is almost a 100 percent guarantee that Detroit is not going to select a wide receiver with their first round draft pick. But, this slideshow is about choosing 10 players who could help turn the Lions into an NFC North contender, and Julio Jones could do just that.
You could have Matthew Stafford, Shaun Hill or Drew Stanton playing quarterback, it wouldn't matter. If any of those three had Calvin Johnson and Julio Jones to throw the ball to, there wouldn't be a secondary in the entire league that could stop that aerial attack.
Jones is a big-play receiver who has ideal size, strength and leaping ability to make an immediate impact at the next level. He has had big games on college football's biggest stage and has put up huge numbers in a run-first offensive system.
Again, we all know that Detroit isn't going to draft Julio Jones with the No. 13 overall pick in the draft. But it would be almost unfair to imagine how good this receiving unit would be, if they did.
5. Tyron Smith, OT, USC
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We mentioned earlier how awful Detroit's offensive line has been as of late, and how poor of a job they have done as a unit at protecting Matthew Stafford.
Now, imagine if they were able to add the top offensive tackle in this year's draft class to that line. That certainly sounds like something that would make this team be competitive in the NFC North.
Tyron Smith has great size and excels in both run and pass blocking. He is a guy who they could plug in at left tackle and move Jeff Backus to guard. Or, they could move him to right tackle, and give Gosder Cherilus some much needed time to heal from a season-ending injury.
Either way, adding Tyron Smith would instantly improve Detroit's offensive line, and finally give Matthew Stafford a chance to play a healthy, successful NFL season.
4. A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
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This pick right here goes back to the shocking idea that Detroit could actually take a wide receiver. And again, chances are that this will not happen.
A.J. Green will likely be a top-five pick in this year's draft, and even if he were around, Detroit has more pressing needs than a wide receiver.
But, if you liked the idea of having Calvin Johnson and Julio Jones line up opposite of each other, now imagine Johnson and Green, who is the top receiver in this year's draft class.
The former Georgia standout has the type of big-play ability that doesn't come around every year in the draft. He can stretch the field and make catches in traffic. In fact, Green would have been the top receiver taken had he gone in last year's draft as well.
Now, keep in mind that this pick isn't going to happen. But, with Johnson and Green lining up opposite of each other, this would form the top receiver duo in all of football.
3. Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
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While offensive line is one of the most pressing needs for this team, defensive back is the No. 1 most pressing need.
Detroit's secondary has been nothing short of awful over the past couple of years. The Lions ranked 16th in pass defense last year, while allowing 220 yards per game through the air. And the truth is, that is pretty good compared to where they ranked in that category in years before.
Prince Amukamara is a guy that would instantly make this team better, and, he has a good chance to be there when the Lions are on the clock with that first round pick.
The former Nebraska star has great size and the physical style of play that would allow him to be a starter from day one in Detroit.
This would be the ideal pick for Detroit, and adding a guy like Amukamara would instantly improve this depleted secondary.
2. Von Miller, LB, Texas A&M
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There hasn't been a linebacker taken in the first three picks of the NFL Draft, since Penn State's LaVar Arrington was taken No. 2 overall by Washington in 2000.
That streak could very well come to an end this year when Von Miller of Texas A&M comes off the board.
Detroit lost Ernie Sims to a trade and Julian Peterson to free agency, which means they have a huge void at the linebacker position. Landing a guy like Miller would give them an instant star at that position, but he will likely be off the board by pick No. 3.
Miller won this year's Butkus Award, which is given to college football's top linebacker. He is a pass-rush specialist, recording a combined 27 sacks over the past two seasons. His experience playing in a 3-4 defensive scheme makes him a hot NFL commodity.
When it comes to guys that could make Detroit a contender in the NFC North, Miller has to be up there on that list.
1. Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
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In my opinion, there isn't a player in the draft who is more valuable than LSU cornerback, Patrick Peterson.
This is a guy that has gone up against the likes of A.J. Green, Julio Jones and Darvin Adams and held them all in check. He is a hard-hitting corner with great cover skills who should be an immediate starter wherever he ends up.
But what makes Peterson so valuable is that he isn't just a cornerback. He was also one of the elite kick/punt returners in college football over the past couple of years. He possesses blazing speed, running a 4.31 in the 40-yard dash.
It would be a dream come true for Detroit fans if the Lions could some how put together a deal where they could trade up and land Peterson.
When it comes to players who could turn the Lions into a contender, there isn't another guy who is even close to Patrick Peterson on that list.
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