The Future Lies Here: Why The Detroit Lions MUST Strike Gold In 2010 Draft

The 2010 NFL Draft has become regarded as one of the deepest drafts in recent memory.

While there may not be as many 'sexy' players as in 2007, the depth of this draft can help benefit a team more in the long run. Teams like the Cleveland Browns, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, St. Louis Rams, and Detroit Lions face a large up-hill climb to gain respect amongst the NFL's elite.

Good thing for them, the 2010 Draft is stacked with solid prospects for them to build around.

Last year the Detroit Lions had the first overall selection and wasted no time using it on their franchise quarterback Matt Stafford. With that No. 1 overall selection came a record breaking rookie contract of potentially $41.7 million in a six year, $78 million deal for Stafford. Stafford was limited to just 10 games in his rookie campaign due to a midseason knee and late season shoulder injury. 

Picking Stafford wasn't a difficult task, but trying to figure out how to utilize his talents is. With the current offensive line in tact, Stafford averaged 2.4 sacks against nearly 36 pass attempts per game.

One question must be faced going into the 2010 Draft: How can the Lions protect Matthew Stafford? 

The answer is surely harder than it seems.

With St. Louis likely taking Sam Bradford QB from Oklahoma, first overall, the Lions are in a prime position to draft the No. 1 player on their big board.

Obviously the Lions must be looking to draft someone to protect their $78 million man, right? The highly touted offensive tackle Russell Okung of Oklahoma State is the best offensive tackle in the draft. Detroit's franchise quarterback needs to be protected. Win-win correct? 

Not so fast. There is another question:

2010 happens to be the year that two extreme dominant forces on the defensive line are available for drafting. Will the Lions draft who is known to be the most dominant defensive lineman in years in N'Damukong Suh?

Will they look at Gerald McCoy who is right on the heels of Suh?

Will they reach on Eric Berry the best safety prospect to come out of the draft since Sean Taylor in 2005?

Or will they select Russell Okung the left tackle from Oklahoma State who is highly regarded as one of the better pass blockers in recent memory?

Lions Head Coach Jim Schwartz is defensive minded and, coming up through the Bill Belichick tree, he understands that games are won on defense by having dominant defensive linemen. Selecting anyone for the offensive side of the football with Suh and McCoy still on the board is going to destroy part of Schwartz.

Involved in coaching since 1991, Schwartz has always been on the defensive side of the football. Any defensive minded head coach would be in awe to have a player like Suh or McCoy lining up on their defensive line.

But, can the Lions afford to stick with Jeff Backus at left tackle for another season or two? Will the health of Matthew Stafford suffer if they decide to choose a defensive tackle over an offensive tackle?

This offseason, the Lions added defensive tackle Corey Williams via trade from the Cleveland Browns and signed defensive end Kyle Vanden-Bosch as a free agent from Schwartz' former team, the Tennessee Titans.

Adding Suh or McCoy to an already improved defensive line could instantly improve the Lions defense, which has been putrid at best in recent memory. Detroit's secondary and line backing core needs significant help, but building through the trenches is the way to instantly improve a defense and Suh or McCoy would do just that.

Lions General Manager Martin Mayhew has not ruled out trading down from the No. 2 selection if the price is right.

However for a team to move up to the No. 2 selection they would need to offer at minimum a first, second, and possibly a future first round pick to do so. It's uncertain if any team values Suh or McCoy THAT much, but on draft day with the clock ticking down anything is possible.

Ideally if the Lions could move back to four or five, save some payroll, and draft whoever is still available between Suh, McCoy, and Okung that would be a win for them. A team can only shell out so much money on top three draft picks and the Lions have proven to be the best or worst at that in recent memory.

There is some solid depth at offensive tackle and guard available in this draft, but if it will be available at the tail end of the first round or early in the second round is a big question mark.

Many teams need help along the offensive line and a lot of that depth might be drained by the time the Lions second pick rolls around at pick 34. If the Lions indeed take Suh or McCoy, I think they will need to be working a trade back into the end of the first round to pick up some help on the offensive line.

Matthew Stafford can only take so many beatings. He needs better protection. End of story.

Bottom line: The Detroit Lions can simply not afford to miss with the No. 2 pick in this draft.

Will Schwartz follow his past and what he knows best by pursuing McCoy or Suh? Or will Mayhew push to provide a solid left tackle for his franchise quarterback?

The Lions are sitting pretty with the opportunity to pick the guy they have ranked as their No. 1, Mayhew and Schwartz simply can not pick a bust. There is too much riding on this pick.

Offense or defense? Pursuit or protection? Those questions are bouncing off the walls in Detroit at this very minute and will be until the end of April.