2012 Detroit Lions Draft Class: Where Do the Rest of Days 2 and 3 Fit?

As we come towards the close of the Lions Day here at the NFC North blog (we finish up later tonight with a look back at how the draft strategy worked), we've covered the first two picks of Reiff and Broyles in detail.

Now we look at how the rest of the picks fit in to the team.

Like the Packers, the Lions spent the majority of their time picking defensive players. While we might quibble with that second pick, Mayhew made a concerted effort to do everything he could to continue to improve the defense.

They've got the offense locked down (especially with Reiff arriving). The defense was almost there—could this draft put it over the top?

Let's take a closer look.

Round 3, Pick 22 (85 Overall): Dwight Bentley, CB, Louisiana-Lafayette

Bentley strikes me as pretty raw and not terribly physical in coverage. He also tends to take bad angles and therefore struggles to wrap his tackles at times.

That said, he plays faster than he times, and his speed allows him a wide range of area he can effectively cover.

I could see him lining up across from Chris Houston, but more because I don't love the other options than because I feel he's NFL-ready.

He could get there, but it will take time.

Round 4, Pick 30 (125: From 49ers): Ronnell Lewis, OLB, Oklahoma

I think I'm on record saying I LOVE this pick repeatedly, but just in case, let me be clear:

I love this pick.

Lewis is an athletic, high motor who has a great first step to set up an edge rush, closes on the ball freakishly fast and can play standing up or with his hand in the dirt.

He's not going to rack up anything like double-digit sacks, and he does struggle a little against the run, but he'll give 100 percent on every play.

Maybe that seems a tad trite to you, but given how many players come into the league in the mid-to-late rounds with notes like "lacks consistency," it's a plus.

The plan right now is to move him to defensive end, where he'll start out as a rotational player who gives Cliff Avril and Kyle Vanden Bosch a breather in addition to some likely special teams work.

If and when Avril leaves next season, Lewis will have a shot to fill his shoes. While that might be more than he can do, he'll most definitely prove an asset in whatever capacity the teams needs him.

Round 5, Pick 3 (138: From Vikings): Tahir Whitehead, OLB, Temple

I'm not sure what clicked for the Lions on this guy. He looks the part, but doesn't stand out in any area. His run defense is so-so and his instincts in pass defense aren't any more impressive.

Maybe the Lions liked his quickness off the snap, or maybe they see him as a situational pass rusher.

I would imagine he, like Lewis, is going to be a defensive end convert. It's possible they keep him at outside linebacker as well.

Either way, I don't see him as much more than a situational pass-rusher at best, assuming he sticks on the roster.

Round 5, Pick 13 (148: From Raiders): Chris Greenwood, CB, Albion

On the surface, Greenwood is another odd choice, especially given they moved up to get him.

If you look at his measurables, though, it makes more sense. A 4.34 40 time and 43-inch vertical leap must have over-road the concerns one hears when it comes to ultra-small school players. That he grew up playing at Detroit King High probably didn't hurt.

Clearly the Lions love him.

Mayhew had this to say:

"

"His measurables are off the charts," Mayhew said. "He's got height, he's got speed. His athleticism was something that really attracted us. A lot of guys are big and fast. This guy's movement and his skill level and his feet and quickness, all that stuff, this guy is a really, really good athlete."When you watch him on tape, you watch Albion, they don't challenge very much, so it's sort of a projection and a developmental project. But we really like this guy's skill level."

"

In a vacuum, I'd say he was a long-term project who might spend time on the practice squad. But hearing Mayhew's man-love for Greenwood makes me think he may see some opportunity to get snaps early in camp.

My concern is how long they can wait for him to develop. Let's face it, upside is great, but how many players never see it? Potential is a dirty word sometimes.

Expect to see a bunch of him early in camp. Beyond that, I think he sees more pine than field this year.

Round 6, Pick 26 (196-from Saints Via MIA and 49ers): Jonte Green, CB, New Mexico State

Finally found a Lions pick with no video highlights. Sorry.

Green's got 4.4 speed and reads a play in front of him very well, reacting quickly when he has done so. He's very aggressive in coverage and was a playmaker at the collegiate level, albeit at a lower level of play.

At 5'11", 191 pounds, he's a bit small and might have issues against larger and stronger wide receivers, but he's got the heart to play with them.

In the end, I suspect his heart won't make up for the lack of size. He'll be a special teams guy with a little upside, at the very most.

Round 7, Pick 16 (223: From Eagles Via Pats and Vikings): Travis Lewis, OLB, Oklahoma

Lewis was very productive in college, leading his team in tackles four straight years. More than likely, he'll get a shot on special teams, and if he can prove himself there, build up to a more rotational role in the front seven.

That's a long way off, though, as he has a lot of improvements to make in his overall game.