BJ Raji Is Still the Right Choice For the Lions

A couple of years ago the Houston Texans were on the clock. They owned the first pick so it was a similar situation to the Lions in 2009. The choice was between QB's Matt Leinart and Vince Young. The Texans raised the ire of draftniks and Mel Kiper by choosing Mario Williams. They were right. 

The Lions are on the clock this year and their choices at quarterback are less compelling than Leinart or Young.  Some experts have them taking Matt Stafford.  However, their needs on defense is huge. They were last in the league against the run in 2008. Both starting tackles have been released and the only replacement brought in has been Grady Jackson. 

The Lions also brought in a new head coach. Jim Schwartz is used to having the interior line free things up with Albert Haynesworth. He also watched one of those highly drafted quarterbacks sit behind Kerry Collins last year. 

The Lions could easily be looking at drafting Aaron Curry.  Experts point to Curry as a cure for the run defense. Curing the run defense happens at the line of scrimmage not five yards off the ball. 

Curry would be changing positions to middle linebacker after he played the strong side in college. Middle linebacker is a unique position, one not really suited to positional switches. The Lions would be better served taking a true MLB later in round one, or even later in the draft. 

There is the issue of character brought on by BJ Raji's reported failed drug test. Who wants to compare the character of Raji and Albert "I'll Step on Your Face" Haynesworth? 

Then there is the issue of comparable available talent. If the Lions pass on Stafford, they could go with Daunte Culpepper, or sign former Super Bowl Quarterback Rex Grossman (seriously, why hasn't this guy garnered more interest?), and they could draft a developmental quarterback later. If the Lions pass on Raji when does the next 330lb defensive tackle surface in the draft ? 

Ideally, the Lions can move down and still snag Raji. In the post Alex Smith era, teams aren't going to move up to spend the money on that first overall pick. Teams inclined to draft a quarterback will sit and wait for Mark Sanchez, or Josh Freeman rather than pay for Stafford.

So just take the guy that most helps your team. 

In a division with Adrian Peterson, Matt Forte and Ryan Grant, all of whom run inside, the best bet is to keep your defense strong against the run. Best pick to do that is BJ Raji. He's not sexy. He's not safe. He's right. 

If I'm a Lions fan my draft looks like this:

Round 1. (1) BJ Raji DT, he's the best DT in the draft and had a great week at the senior bowl. The Lions were last against the run in 2008. 

Round 1. (20) William Beatty OT, he'll have time to learn behind Backus, has starting potential and is a good run blocker. 

Round 2. (33) Alex Mack C, could be the offensive lineman in the draft, Raiola is 30 and small. Mack is big, smart and good enough to line up anywhere on the line. 

Round 3. (65) Travis Beckum TE, a receiving TE will help whoever the QB is.

Round 3 (82) Pat White, QB could surprise as a QB or play as a slash. 

Round 5 (137) Frantz Joseph LB, Joseph is a tackling machine, and with Jackson and Raji in front of him he should be clean to tackle.

Round 6 (174) Greg Isdaner OG, a 320lb guard, two out of three years all conference, the line needs competition for huge Manny Ramirez and Edwin Mulitano. 

Round 6 (192) Brian Toal FB-LB, was beset by injuries, Toal was once BC's best player and the reason that Joseph transferred. He's a football player with a great heart and not much luck. 

Round 7 (255) Rob Bruggerman OL, more depth for the interior line. 

But that's just how I'd do it. 

I'd look hard at Grossman, too.