Detroit Lions Draft Picks: Results, Analysis and Grades

The Detroit Lions entered the 2015 NFL draft with only one big concern aside from adding talent and depth—finding a left guard. General manager Martin Mayhew apparently got the message:

"

Lions send their 1st round pick (No. 23) to Denver, get Denver's 1st (No. 28) & 5th round pick (No. 143) and OL Manny Ramirez & a 5 in 2016

— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) May 1, 2015"

Mayhew freed himself from his biggest need presumably so he could stick to his favored best-player-available approach. Defensive tackle, cornerback and running back were all semi-needs that could be addressed in the first four rounds, and Mayhew bucked his normal trend of surprising everyone by grabbing all of them.

But he didn't stop there. Mayhew plugged another hole on his roster in the fifth round before finally turning to depth in the sixth and seventh rounds. So how did he do? Click through to find out with instant analysis and grades for each pick

Round 1, Pick 28: OG Laken Tomlinson

Brynn Anderson/Associated Press

The intro to this slideshow was heavy in analysis regarding the Lions' need for a left guard. General manager Martin Mayhew didn't just address it; he doubled down and squashed it:

"

#Lions get OG Laken Tomlinson, plus OL Manny Ramirez from the #Broncos in the trade. #2for1

— Rod Beard (@detnewsRodBeard) May 1, 2015"

The addition of Manny Ramirez didn't blow me away until it became apparent that he was picked solely for versatile depth. He graded out as the 31st-best guard in the league last season, per Pro Football Focus, and also lined up at center for 575 snaps.

Since Ramirez isn't going to be the starter, the trade netted the swing lineman Detroit needed while also adding its starting left guard in Laken Tomlinson.

Originally, I was worried about Tomlinson's ability to hold down the left side because he isn't a great athlete. Detroit's zone-blocking scheme requires its big men to create leverage while moving laterally on run plays, but his most important duty will be pass protection. Pro Football Focus' Nathan Jahnke explains why that won't be an issue:

"

Laken Tomlinson allowed 0 sacks, 0 hits and 4 hurries last year. The best pass blocking guard in college last year.

— Nathan Jahnke (@PFF_NateJahnke) May 1, 2015"

The value was also proper considering the New England Patriots likely weren't going to let him slip any further. So long as LaAdrian Waddle gets his groove back, Mayhew just fixed the offensive line and picked up another fifth-rounder. That's a win in any book.

Grade: B+

Round 2, Pick 88: RB Ameer Abdullah

Once the Lions cut Reggie Bush loose, running back became a need if Detroit wanted to maintain a credible home run threat out of the backfield. The selection of Ameer Abdullah obliterates that concern.

Abdullah has the shiftiness of Bush, but he's much more decisive with his cuts. The zone-running game is perfectly suited to his talents because once he finds the crease, he'll explode through it with his incredible burst (3.95 20-yard shuttle and 42.5" vertical, per NFL.com).

He's a complete back as well. Unfortunately, part of that package is an inability to secure the ball:

"

Abdullah is a home-run threat and can run, catch and return. But 23 fumbles is a lot of fumbles.

— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) May 2, 2015"

Again, there's a lot to like from Abdullah. His combine 40 (4.6 seconds) isn't indicative of his field speed, and despite his 5'9", 205-pound frame, he'll bring the fight to a tackler. And at this point in the draft, he brings a ton of value.

But his warts (fumbles and pass protection) keep the explosive Abdullah from getting an A-range grade. It's now on offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi to use him correctly to make this pick worthwhile.

Grade: B+

Round 3, Pick 80: CB Alex Carter

Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press

The need greed continued in the third round as the Lions grabbed Alex Carter after giving up a fifth-rounder to move up eight spots, as Justin Rogers of Mlive.com explains:

"

Lions traded up to 80, which makes things a little nicer for me. Lions giving up 143 and 88 to move up according to @MasterStrib

— Justin Rogers (@Justin_Rogers) May 2, 2015"

Carter fits the physical mold that the Lions love on the outside. He stands 6'0" and weighs 196 pounds, and he loves to tackle and mix it up with wide receivers at the line of scrimmage.

There won't be many game-breaking plays from the Stanford kid, though. Carter only had two interceptions in his career, but he balanced that out with 17 passes defensed and 72 tackles over the past two years.

While Detroit did need outside depth in the defensive backfield, it forwent the opportunity to round out the defensive tackle rotation with explosive penetrators like Michael Bennett and Grady Jarrett. Both of those big men would have probably had a bigger impact considering Carter might have to transition to safety if NFL wide receivers prove too quick for him.

Grade: B- 

Round 4, Pick 113: DT Gabe Wright

Julio Cortez/Associated Press

In a semi-surprising move, Detroit jumped into the fourth round to grab defensive tackle Gabe Wright from Auburn. Adam Caplan of ESPN has the details here:

"

#Eagles acquire 3rd round pick in 2016 from Detroit for a 2015 4th round pick (113)

— Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) May 2, 2015"

The third-rounder won't hurt too much considering Detroit should have an extra third as compensation for Ndamukong Suh. Therefore, this grade is all about the pick, which addresses a need and has a great amount of value.

Wright is an explosive defensive tackle who likes to shoot gaps and wreck plays in the backfield. His production fell from 8.5 tackles for a loss in 2013 to 4.5 last season, but he'll be a nice addition behind Tyrunn Walker and in the locker room:

"

Teryl Austin calls Wright a hard competitor who fits mold of what Lions like at DT -- a penetrator who attacks.

— Justin Rogers (@Justin_Rogers) May 2, 2015"

There's still some work to do on his technique. He has trouble shedding blocks against the run and needs to become a consistent performer before he can be considered for a starting job. However, Martin Mayhew has hit on need, value and scheme fit here. And that's exactly the point of the draft.

Grade: B+

Round 5, Pick 168: FB Michael Burton

Julio Cortez/Associated Press

Jed Collins left for the Dallas Cowboys, leaving Detroit with another need in the backfield. And yet again, Martin Mayhew picked a player to fill a hole.

Obviously, Mayhew didn't feel comfortable with Emil Igwenagu, who was the only fullback prospect on the roster. The selection of Michael Burton from Rutgers probably puts him out of a job.

Burton isn't the biggest fullback at 5'11" and 242 pounds, but his build should fit Detroit's offense:

"

New #Lions fullback Mike Burton fits the same kind of physical mold as departed Jed Collins.

— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) May 2, 2015"

Burton isn't a guy who will explode through a linebacker. Rather, he'll find his man and keep him engaged, and he's also a decent pass-catcher.

Fullback was a need. It was filled. However, with guys like wide receiver Tre McBride on the board, this seemed like Mayhew's first reach of the weekend.

Grade: C

Round 6, Pick 200: CB Quandre Diggs

Eric Gay/Associated Press

The best-player-available approach finally reared its head in the sixth round, and the result was an excellent choice.

Quandre Diggs will immediately push Nevin Lawson and Bill Bentley for the nickel or dime spot in the secondary. He's only 5'9" but packs 196 pounds on that frame, so he'll be able to be aggressive in the slot against faster receivers.

He also fits the profile that defensive coordinator Teryl Austin and head coach Jim Caldwell desire in defensive backs. Diggs will throw his weight around in the run game and is smart enough to recognize routes to create turnover opportunities.

Plus, the value here was excellent, according to Jeff Risdon of DetroitLionsDraft.com:

"

Diggs is great value. Nickel CB with toughness and tenacity. My 112th player

— Jeff Risdon (@JeffRisdon) May 2, 2015"

Mayhew finally got to flex his BPA muscle. It certainly looks like it'll work out.

Grade: A

Round 7, Pick 240: OT Corey Robinson

Travis Bell/Associated Press

The Lions capped off their draft class with a big offensive tackle from South Carolina.

Corey Robinson stands 6'7" and checks in at 324 pounds. The Lions love height and length along the lines, and their newest tackle doesn't disappoint, per Josh Katzenstein of The Detroit News:

"

Corey Robinson has 6-foot-7, 324 pounds and has 35 5/8-inch arms (which is quite long)

— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) May 2, 2015"

And despite those long arms that should limit his strength, he still put up 28 bench reps, per NFL.com. That will not only help him open holes in the run game, but should assist him in redirecting pass-rushers with his length.

Robinson won't come in and take LaAdrian Waddle's job this year. He's a developmental guy who could blossom with the proper coaching, making him a smart seventh-round pick.

Grade: B