Detroit Lions: What We Know Today About the 2011 Draft

Doing a NFL mock draft before the season even ends is an effort in futility. Not only are we unaware of draft positions of the playoff teams, we still not know which underclassmen will declare for the draft. 

In my current draft board, 10 of the top 12 players are underclassmen with only AJ Green and Da’Quan Bowers declared.  That leaves Andrew Luck, Patrick Peterson, Nick Fairley, Cam Newton, Ryan Mallett, Robert Quinn, Julio Jones, Blaine Gabbert, and Marcel Dareus all in the “undecided group”.

Yet, it is fun to speculate, especially for me when it comes to the Detroit Lions.  The Lions have the #13 pick in the upcoming draft, so let’s look at some things WE DO KNOW.

• We will not have a chance to draft AJ Green (#3 overall) and Da’Quan Bowers (#6 overall), and if declared, almost no chance at drafting Patrick Peterson (#2 overall), Nick Fairly (#4 overall), or Marcel Dareus (#11 overall)
• If declared, we will not draft Andrew Luck (#1 overall) , Cam Newton (#5 overall), Julio Jones (#10 overall) ,and Blaine Gabbert (#12 overall)

That leaves the Lions with 4 players that we have no chance of drafting unless we trade up (highly doubtful due to the anticipated cap space likely to be instituted in the next CBA),and 5 players that we will not take due to fulfilled needs.  After that, the outlook is fuzzy for the Lions.  We know the top needs are in the defensive back seven and the offensive line.  Let’s look at the possibilities.

Secondary: Shut down corner

• Prince Amukamara (pronounced ah-moo-kuh-mara): Nebraska/#13 overall
• Brandon Harris: Miami/#21 overall
• Jenoris Jenkins: Florida/#22 overall

Linebackers: Weak and Strong side

• Von Miller: Texas A&M/#14 overall
• Bruce Carter: North Carolina/#15 overall
• Akeem Ayers: UCLA/#24 overall

Lineman: Left Tackle

• Anthony Castonzo: Boston College/#19 overall
• Derek Sherrod: Arkansas/#23 overall
• Gabe Carimi: Wisconsin/#27 overall  

Wish list

Keep in mind this is before all the craziness that ensues of 40 times, shuttle runs,  drug tests, IQ tests, back-round checks, medical conditions, etc.etc.etc

1)Prince Amukamara (Not likely to be available)

2)Von Miller

3)Anthony Castonzo: And he better have the “wow factor” and the combine

4)Trade down