Jay Cutler to Chicago Bears: Not a Big Deal for Detroit Lions, Firms Up Draft

OK, so the Bears pulled the rug from under us and nabbed Jay Cutler from Denver. Is it really the end of the world?

The Bears gave up a lot to get Cutler: 2009 first and third-round picks, next years first round pick and last year’s starting QB, Kyle Orton. I think the reason why they pulled the trigger on getting Cutler was to simply make sure the Lions did not.

Then again, Cutler may turn out to be the most consistent Bear QB since Sid Luckman. 

Since the Lions don’t have a quarterback the Bronco’s would have wanted, it would have been more draft picks that would have to have been given up. Probably the 20th and 33rd pick from this year and at least a first and second round from the 2010 draft.

Too much for Cutler and would have severely impeded the Lions capability to build through the draft which has been their mantra ever since Mayhew took over.

Now before we all want to hang the current Lions regime, such as Drew Sharp does in the Apr. 2 Detroit Free Press (Drew Sharp:  Not Getting Cutler Typical Lions Gaffe), lets remember there are 31 other teams in the NFL that are attempting to do the very same thing the Lions are: Trying to improve their team.

If anything, with the Bears obtaining Cutler, it pretty much answers the question who the Lions are going to take. It’s going to be Matt Stafford and they will end up giving him between $30 and $35 million and he will be the Lions franchise quarterback.

He impressed the Lions with a “flawless” private workout in March, he possesses and strong and accurate passing arm and can move in the pocket. Many NFL pundits have made comparisons to John Elway, not a bad quarterback to be compared to.

Anyone who has followed the Lions are well aware they have not had a great quarterback since Bobby Layne. Will Stafford be the answer? No one knows for sure and while Cutler is a supposed “proven” commodity, only time will tell if he succeeds with the Bears. 

As it stands right now, the Lions have eight picks in this year’s draft. And now with Cutler out of the equation, here is my “mock” Lions draft:

First Round

1.       QB Matt Stafford – While I still think the smart pick would be to take OT Jason Smith or LB Aaron Curry, the Lions will take Stafford. Culpepper will start this year and is reported in the best shape he’s been in years. But this is Dante and despite being a veteran quarterback, know one knows for sure how he’s going to do. And after him, the talent level drops off. Drew Stanton hasn’t played enough to really make any judgment and Drew Henson is a warm body. Lions will take Stafford and Henson will be released.

20.      OT Ebin Britton – Yeah, I know, the defense still needs a serious upgrade.  But I still keep looking at the 166 QB sacks over the past three years the Lions offensive line has allowed. Britton may start at left guard but I still think the best move the Lions could make would be to slide Jeff Backus inside and let Britton, at 6'6" and 309 lbs play left tackle. He came into his own since being moved to left tackle and I see no reason to change that now.

Second Round

33.      LB James Laurinaitis – A pure 4-3 linebacker, he will be a great addition to Ernie Sims and Julius Peppers. I would have liked to have seen Aaron Curry in a Lions uniform…and if he is available at 20, you would have to take him. But I don’t see Curry lasting that long so Laurinaitis is the next best thing.  

Third Round

65.      DE Lawrence Sidbury – He ran one of the quickest 40’s at the combine and helped himself a lot on a day many defensive linemen disappointed. 6’3” and 265 lbs, he had 14.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks last year.  

82.      DT Chris Baker – Played at Hampton after transferring from Penn State.  Had 16.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks as a junior. Getting Sidbury and Baker upgrades the defensive line and allows Cunningham a lot of flexibility. The Lions current roster for DE and DT doesn’t scare anyone and I would suspect Sidbury and Baker would take starting jobs.

Sixth Round

174.      WR Jeremy Gilchrist– 5-10 and 177 lbs, he seems a tad light for WR in the NFL.  But he does have return skills the Lions are lacking. He returned three punts in 2008 for touchdowns. He could also get some playing time when the Lions go to four-wide-receiver sets.  

Seventh Round

255.      FB Tony Fiammetta– Lions need to get Kevin Smith as much blocking as he can get and Fimmetta fills the bill nicely. 6'0" and 245 lbs, he caught 16 passes for 127 yards and a touchdown last year but his strength is powerful run blocking.

There you have it folks...what I believe is a pretty decent draft.  But I’m sure there will be many opposing viewpoints but hey, it wouldn’t be Lions football if there wasn’t!