Detroit Lions Day 3 2014 NFL Draft Primer

The first two days of the 2014 NFL draft have unfolded quite nicely for the Detroit Lions. However, now is not the time to take the foot off the pedal as they mine the depths of the last four rounds for some unpolished diamonds.

It's true that the bulk of contributing players will be selected some time in the first two days. Yet, as we see every year, there will be a few guys who are taken late who will have a dramatic impact on the 2014 season and beyond.

So stay vigilant, my friends. The marathon that is the modern NFL draft is almost over but not before we go over everything the Lions still need and where they could be heading on the final day.

All combine stats are courtesy of NFL.com.

Day 2 Recap & Analysis

The Lions wasted no time putting their stamp on the second round. General manager Martin Mayhew was working the phones, starting with the Houston Texans and worked his way down the list until the Seattle Seahawks agreed to a mutually beneficial deal.

Mayhew traded away a second- (45), fourth- (111) and seventh-rounder (227) for the right to move up to No. 40 and a fifth-rounder (146). And with the trade up, the Lions landed linebacker Kyle Van Noy.

The move should assuage some outraged Lions fans that are still bitter over the Eric Ebron pick. Van Noy meets a huge need at outside linebacker and gives defensive coordinator Teryl Austin the Swiss army knife he needs to create unorthodox quarterback pressure.

Detroit also filled another need in the third round, drafting center Travis Swanson out of Arkansas. If the fans find it underwhelming, it's understandable, but they should not overlook Swanson's potential impact.

Swanson more than held his own in the defense-dominated SEC and was entrusted to call out the pass protections while adjusting to blitzes. He'll cross-train as a guard during the preseason while he sits and learns from veteran Dominic Raiola.

Updated Needs for Detroit Lions

Backup Quarterback

Shaun Hill has departed the Motor City for the St. Louis Rams, leaving the Lions with Kellen Moore and Dan Orlovsky as their only options. Orlovsky might be able to keep the team afloat for a drive or two but relying on him or Moore for anything more than that is a dangerous proposition. With a new coaching regime in place, head coach Jim Caldwell could look to groom his own backup of the future.

Safety

I was all over Deone Bucannon the past few months and had my dreams dashed. James Ihedigbo will be a fine stopgap, but the Lions still need someone to take over long-term. Mayhew would be smart to find an athletic safety that Austin can develop to be Ihedigbo's replacement.

Kicker

It was en vogue to poke fun at Mayhew for grabbing Sam Martin in the fifth round last year. I mean, who takes a punter and lives to talk about it? Turns out, I couldn't have been more wrong. With the David Akers experiment mercifully over, Detroit should see if they can't pull another specialist out of the hat.

Wide Receiver

Should I even fill out this section? I've been hammering the point that neither Kris Durham or Kevin Ogletree should be trusted as the No. 3 receiver. There are still plenty of interesting prospects left in this draft for Detroit to find a gem in the later rounds.

Depth

I realize how generic this sounds but hear me out. The Lions are a top heavy team with a lot of first-line talent but not much behind them. This fits in perfectly with Mayhew's best-player-available approach.

Top Day 3 Targets

Michael Conroy/Associated Press

1. Cornerback Pierre Desir

I have been a big opponent of Detroit taking a corner high. However, now that we've hit the fourth round, it's time for me to stop denying that the Lions could use some depth at the position. The 6'1" Desir fits Austin's profile for a cornerback. Unfortunately, there's little to no way he's available when the Lions pick at No. 133.

2. Safety Ed Reynolds

Detroit has yet to address the secondary in this draft. That can't sit well with a number of Lions fans so the first two guys on the big board are a nod to your collective genius. Or a reality check that Detroit eventually has to figure out who will replace James Ihedigbo.

3. Wide Receiver Bruce Ellington

Just because the Lions missed out on the explosive Josh Huff doesn't mean they can't recover with someone similar. Ellington can be that replacement who lives up to the hype. He's a small guy who blazed his way to a 4.45 at the combine.

4. Defensive End/Linebacker Jackson Jeffcoat

A developmental pass-rusher has to be on the list that Mayhew is carrying around in his suit pocket. Van Noy fills one part of that need, but Detroit needs someone who can put their hand in the dirt and generate pressure the old-fashioned way. Jeffcoat's college career never reached the heights that were envisioned when he signed. However, the raw tools (6'3", 247 pounds and 4.63 40) are all there for D-line coach Kris Kocurek to work his magic.

5. Wide Receiver Kevin Norwood

If you've been following along all week, you've noticed my man-crush on Norwood. For all of the flash on the offensive roster, a steady presence who does what the coaching staff asks of him for the good of the team would be a significant asset. And that's what the draft is all about, adding assets that can help the team win.

What Are the Experts Saying?

The pickings are slim once you get this low in the draft. Let's see what those brave enough to mock a full seven rounds had to say about the Lions' third-day targets.

Round 4, Pick 133

Matt Miller, Bleacher Report: OC Corey Linsley—We're going to find this to be the case for quite a few of these picks. It appears the only thing everyone can agree on is Detroit needed a center.

Draftek.com, OC Gabe Ikard—See what I mean? 

WalterFootball.com: RB Lache Seastrunk—It is true that the Lions are only two deep in the backfield as far as useful players go. Perhaps it's high time Detroit finally paid attention to its offense.

Will Lomas, Draft Season: RB Lache Seastrunk—Obviously, the last sentence was a joke, but Seastrunk is not. He's a burner who posted a 4.37 at his pro day, per CBSSports.com.

Bucky Brooks, NFL.com: WR Josh Huff—This is a pick I can get behind. Unfortunately, so could Chip Kelly and he jumped at the chance to get his former charge in the third round.

Round 4, Pick 136

Matt Miller, Bleacher Report: TE Richard Rodgers—If Mayhew takes another tight end, he will have built a Millen-esque reputation based on tight ends. It's not happening.

Draftek.com: LB Avery Williamson—This fits into the depth need. Behind last year's starting linebackers and recent addition of Kyle Van Noy, there are nothing but special teamers. 

WalterFootball.com: OC Gabe Ikard—We get it already. However, I don't see Detroit doubling down on centers after the Swanson pick. The Lions are all set.

Will Lomas, Draft Season: WR Cody Hoffman—He borders on 6'4" and would fill a nice need on the outside opposite Calvin Johnson. Don't rule Hoffman out.

Bucky Brooks, NFL.com: DE Will Clarke—This would have been a nice pick if the Cincinnati Bengals hadn't already scooped him up. Clarke is a long defensive end of the ilk that has been all the rage lately in Detroit.

Round 6, Pick 189

Matt Miller, Bleacher Report: DE Will Clarke—This would have been a phenomenal pickup here. It makes you wonder who is sitting out there that was overlooked by all 32 teams.

Drafttek.com: WR Jeff Janis—File this pick under extremely realistic. The Saginaw Valley State product is pushing 6'3" and ran a 4.42 at the combine. Those types of numbers will turn heads.

WalterFootball.com: DE Larry Webster—The small-school product is another tall (6'5") defensive end who can move. He posted a 4.58 at the combine. He's an interesting late-round flier.

Will Lomas, Draft Season: CB Bene Benwikere—While Mr. Lomas gets credit for nailing the Ebron pick, he looks off here. Benwikere is 5'10" and posted 4.63 at the combine. I can't see Austin signing off on him.

Draftsite.com: WR Josh Huff—If I was happy about Huff in the fourth, I would have been over the moon in the sixth. He would add a different element as the third receiver than what the Lions currently have. Alas, such is the nature of the draft.

3 Predictions for Day 3

john bazemore/Associated Press

The last day of the draft doesn't carry the intrigue of the first two nights. Yet, what could general manager Martin Mayhew be cooking up?

Does Mayhew Have Anymore Tricks Up His Sleeve?

At this point, probably not. Detroit is sitting on two fourth-rounders, one fifth and one in the sixth. That's not a lot of juice to work with.

It's especially crippling when you realize that he can't trade either of his fours because they're compensatory picks. The only way he'll be able to make a move is to trade away next year's draft choices and that's not his bag.

Mayhew Will Target A Receiver On The Final Day

Detroit's current front office practices an almost religious adherence to the best-player-available credo. I wouldn't be shocked to find out one of them has it tatted on his back.

However, there's no way Mayhew, head coach Jim Caldwell and President Tom Lewand can ignore that the cupboard is somewhat bare after their top two receivers. They've seen what happens when you rely on guys like Ogletree and Durham to move the chains.

I'm not saying the Lions will completely throw caution to the wind and take a receiver when he's way down their board. Just don't be shocked when they take a receiver who isn't the most obvious pick available.

Will Detroit Grab A Quarterback?

It's an interesting question that's been floating in the background all offseason. As we covered in the needs slide, there is a definite requirement for a competent backup.

But can a rookie backup be relied on to carry a potential playoff team? T.J. Yates pulled it off for a few weeks a couple years ago, but he was badly exposed in the playoffs, which seemingly answered that question.

However, if the board falls a certain way, the current regime would not shy away from purchasing some insurance for the once-frail Matthew Stafford. How interesting would it be if Stafford's heir apparent was someone who was already familiar with the role?

Seriously? I'm talking about Aaron Murray. How did you not pick up on that?

Detroit Lions Mock Draft

You didn't think I was going to jump into my final mock draft of the year without mentioning that I rocked that Kyle Van Noy pick, did you? Anyways, on with the show for the last time this year.

Round 4, Pick 133: S Ed Reynolds

If Pierre Desir somehow fell to this position, the Lions would be all over him. However, with their limited trading capital, Detroit will have to let the draft fall to them. That works out just fine as they get a disruptive safety who could be a long-term fixture on the back line.

Round 4, Pick 136: Wide Receiver Kevin Norwood

We've been attached at the hip now for three days. I've walked you through four mock drafts during that time. How did you not see this coming? Norwood would be a perfect addition to what has the makings of a dominant offense. He'd be the ground wire for the most electric show on turf.

Round 5, Pick 146: Cornerback Shaquille Richardson

I originally had Richardson going to Detroit in the seventh round. Then I started to hear his name a bit more so I moved him up to the sixth. With the addition of this pick thanks to the Seahawks, Detroit would be foolish to wait until their last pick to grab the aggressive corner with 4.43 speed.

Round 6, Pick 189: Kicker Chris Boswell

Something feels awful about dropping the mic on my last mock draft with a kicker. Alas, that's the way I see it going down. Boswell is the perfect candidate to be Detroit's very own Mr. Irrelevant since he has the huge leg but comes with accuracy issues.