Detroit Lions: Mock Draftable Players from the 2012 East vs West Shrine Game

The 2012 East-West Shrine game won't catch many headlines but there remain many high-quality draftable players who will be on display. 

There probably won't be a single player in the East-West Shrine game taken in the first two rounds of the draft.  But let's not forget that many valuable Lions were taken after the first two rounds.  Starters like Cliff Avril, DeAndre Levy and Amari Spievey were all third round picks and quality backups such as Aaron Berry, Sammie Lee Hill and Willie Young were all drafted in rounds four through seven.

The Lions could use improvement on both sides of the ball as well as on special teams.

So here are a few players from the East-West Shrine game who are worth one of those late round selections that might just unearth a hidden gem.

Evan Rodriguez, TE Temple

Description: Evan is a jack-of-all-trades type of player.  He probably isn't going to stand out on many plays.  His 35 catches for just under 500 yards attest to that.  He is a little light at around 245 pounds but could add a little weight without much trouble.

Draftability: Barring an explosive showing at Temple's pro day Evan is likely to be a sixth-seventh round selection.

Best Case Scenario: Evan becomes a solid special teamer and ends up as a younger more athletic version of current Lions tight end Will Heller.

Matt Daniels, S Duke

Description: Matt is a good sized safety at 6'1" and 210 pounds.  This past season he tallied an outstanding 126 tackles and two interceptions to go along with them.  It should be clear from these numbers that he is an in-the-box type player more than a ball hawk.  Matt does tackle extremely well.

Draftability: Matt should come off the board somewhere around round five.

Best Case Scenario: Matt becomes a special teams ace.  He tears down the field on every coverage unit and lights people up.  Matt, with some work, could also become a quality backup, similar to John Wendling, but better.

A.J. Jenkins, WR Illinois

Description: AJ was hyper-productive in college.  Even though his team (Illinois) had a weak offense he still put up some monster numbers, with 90 catches, almost 1300 yards and eight touchdowns.  At 6'1, 190 pounds he is not over-big nor super fast, but he shows good suddenness, reads defensive backs well and is surgical in and out of his breaks.

Draftability: I would be shocked if AJ wasn't gone before the end of the fourth round.

Best Case Scenario: I really think with some development and work AJ could become a quality No. 2 wide receiver in the NFL.  He reminds me of a player like Brandon Lloyd, minus the top end speed.

Jerry Franklin, ILB Arkansas

Description: Jerry is not in the "elite athlete" category.  But there is a savvy in how Jerry plays which maximizes the physical tools that he possesses.  He isn't tall, 6'1", for an inside linebacker.  He plays well in space and just seems to have a knack for being in the right place at the right time.

Draftability: Jerry seems like a solid fifth round pick.  His versatility might push him a little higher if a team falls in love with him.

Best Case Scenario: Inside linebackers rarely have an affinity for coverage, and Jerry does.  Because of this I think Jerry could become a starting inside linebacker at some point with the right team in the right system.  He may also convert to outside linebacker at the NFL level.  He should play in the nickel and on special teams as well early on in his career.

Matt Reynolds, OT Brigham Young

Description: Matt (No. 70 above) has prototypical left tackle size at 6'4" and 310 pound with long arms.  He is older (25) than most other NFL rookies.  Matt will pitch his age to scouts as maturity. He hasn't faced much top level competition but when he did,  he showed up. 

Draftability: Matt is a fourth rounder.  With a good showing at the 2012 East-West Shrine game and the combine he could even push that position higher.

Best Case Scenario: I may be one of the few who thinks that Matt is a NFL starting left tackle caliber player.  He might never be a star but he can be solid.  At least he is a well above average right tackle.  Take my word for it, this kid can play.  He will probably need a year to understudy at the NFL level before making an impact.

Tank Carder, ILB TCU

Description: First let's acknowledge that Tank is the best name for a linebacker ever.  Tank's height and weight are 6'2" and just a shade under 240 pounds.  His measureables aren't going to bring Vontaze Burfict to mind, he isn't smallish either.  His stats are underwhelming, but when you consider he plays most of his snaps versus the pass they are a little more understandable. 

Draftability: Tank is a solid fourth or fifth round prospect.  He will slip through the cracks and probably should be a third rounder.

Best Case Scenario: He reminds me a lot of Colin McCarthy (who I really liked last season).  McCarthy began starting late in his rookie year and was outstanding.  Tank absolutely can and will be a starting NFL inside linebacker.  He is a sound tackler, he can cover and he makes big plays (two pick six's this season).  You heard it here first.

Josh Norman, CB Costal Carolina

Description: Josh is a small college stud! He is very tall for a cornerback (6'2") and has pretty good size (190+ pounds). Josh is a prospect that has upside written all over him. He has quickness, speed, good hip flexibility and specializes in man-to-man press coverage.  Some corners cover receivers like a wet blanket, well Josh covers like an angry wet blanket.

Draftability: This one is really difficult because it's tough to tell how scouts will evaluate and value his game tapes.  He could go as high as the late third if he runs really well for scouts or as low as the fifth round if he doesn't light it up. 

Best Case Scenario: Imagine a project who has the talent and skills (but will actually tackle, 62 last season) of Antonio Cromartie but without the prima donna attitude.  If this kid has top-notch work ethic he is a Pro Bowl player.

Ryan Miller, OT Colorado

Description: Ryan is a big tall pure athlete (6'8", 310+ pounds).  He has all the tangibles that you could want in an offensive lineman.  Unfortunately for Ryan he hasn't had the best week of practice this week for the 2012 East-West Shrine game.  The tape on him is good though.

Draftability: Ryan had probably pushed his way into the latter part of the second round (or early third) but this week of practice may have set him back to the late third round, which could be perfect for the Lions.

Best Case Scenario: Similar concerns were expressed about Nate Solder when he came out (too tall, waist bender, inconsistent) but this guy has "it."  At worst he's an upper level NFL guard with versatility.  At best, he gets coached up and becomes a Pro Bowl caliber right tackle.  He may take a year or two but Ryan Miller is a star (as much as and offensive lineman can be a star).