2011 NFL Draft Grades: Quick Grade on Titus Young to Detroit Lions in Round 2

I will provide a more detailed evaluation of the Lions' Day 2 selections at the end of the day's selections, but first, a quick take on the selection of Titus Young with in the second round.

The second round started out very poorly for the Detroit Lions. Aaron Williams, Ryan Williams, Bruce Carter and Akeem Ayers would all have made fine selections at 44th overall. Unfortunately, all of those picks came off the board in rapid succession before the Lions got their pick.

By the time the Lions came up, many of the popular picks to the Lions were gone, so they picked from what's left.

And what was left was a speedy wide receiver from Boise State by the name of Titus Young.

Young is a strange pick because he didn't necessarily seem to be either the best player available or filling the biggest need.

What he was, perhaps, was the best player available at a minor need position.

That's not to say he's a bad pick. He's an okay pick, and he will help stretch the field alongside Calvin Johnson, allowing Nate Burleson to move to his natural slot position.

But my greatest problem with the Lions' pick is that they seemed to jump on it without giving any time for trades or other consideration. It seems to me they had it set in their minds that they would take Young, without question, if he was available.

I'm just not convinced he was either the best player on the board, the greatest need filled, or that they couldn't have entertained a trade offer.

But I actually like Young regardless. He has top-end speed and agility and is a fantastic route-runner, while his only knock will be his size.

Of course, his 5'11" frame and explosive speed earns him comparisons to DeSean Jackson, which can't be a bad thing.

Overall, a good pick for the Lions, it just didn't seem to mesh with their overall draft philosophy.

Grade: B

UPDATE: For my quick grade on the Mikel Leshoure selection, check it out here.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/684837-2011-nfl-draft-grades-quick-grade-on-mikel-leshoure-to-detroit-lions-in-round-2