2011 Detroit Lions Ideal Offseason: NFL Draft and Free Agency

Ben LorimerJun 7, 2018

Now that I have completed my series on the Detroit Lions free agency, it is time for an article on the Lions off season.

This article will firstly highlight what the Lions should (in my opinion) do on draft day, and also who they should target during free agency.

I hope you enjoy this, and remember that this is not the gospel. Mayhew and co. may do something completely different.

2011 NFL Draft: Pick Number 20: Anthony Castonzo (OT)

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Elsa/Getty Images

CHESTNUT HILL, MA - OCTOBER 03: Anthony Castonzo #74 of the Boston College Eagles congratulates teammate Montel Harris #2 after Harris scored a touchdown in the first quarter against the Florida State Seminoles on October 3, 2009 at Alumni Stadium in Che

Before you all abuse me for putting the Lions drafting at 20th, hear me out.

The Lions allocated pick in the draft is at 13, but unless Prince Amukamara or Patrick Peterson drop down to them, then they are stuck firmly in drafting limbo. With the elite corner backs gone, no prospect with a mid first round grade really suits what the Lions need. This calls for trading down.

There are a few teams who fit the bill. The most likely are the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who despite their good season still have a few holes to fill, namely an elite pass rusher at defensive end. For them, drafting at no. 13 would allow them to get hold of Aldon Smith or Adrian Clayborn.

The trade would be likely to involve swapping first round draft picks, and also require Tampa Bay to give the Lions their third round pick as well.

At 20, the Lions would try to grab their left tackle for the next decade. Because of the strength of the draft on the defensive line, their offensive counter parts are being overlooked. Quality players like Castonzo, Derek Sherrod, Nate Solder and Tyron Smith are dropping down draft boards, and all four could very well be available for the Lions with the 20th pick.

The two front runners are Solder and Castonzo, but I would give Castonzo the nod because he is a better fit at left tackle than Solder. He has also performed better at the Senior Bowl.

Castonzo would be able to sit for a season behind Backus before being thrown into the fire at the starting position. He would have a year to polish his technique and build lower body strength.

Round 2 Pick 45: Jimmy Smith (CB)

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BOULDER, CO - NOVEMBER 07: Wide receiver Jeff Fuller #8 of the Texas A&M Aggies makes a reception against the defense of Jimmy Smith #3 of the Colorado Buffaloes during NCAA college football action at Folsom Field on November 7, 2009 in Boulder, Colorado

After getting a potential franchise left tackle in the first round, the Lions need to address their primary need in the draft a get a corner back. If they miss out on the top two, then Jimmy Smith in the second round is not a bad compromise.

Like the other top corner backs in the draft, Smith has great size for a corner back (6'2", 200 lbs). He also runs a 4.45 dash, and is solid in run support. His athleticism leaves nothing to be desired, and his only real weakness is his lack of really fluid hips. However, his speed and acceleration nullifies this somewhat.

His forte is man coverage, and he projects as the second best corner back at man coverage in the draft (ahead of Peterson).

The addition of Smith would fulfill the Lions need for a young talented corner back for the future. His top man coverage abilities will become a valuable commodity in the future.

Round 3 Pick 77: John Moffitt (G)

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Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

COLUMBUS, OH - OCTOBER 10: Offensive lineman John Moffitt #74 of the Wisconsin Badgers blocks against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on October 10, 2009 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

The Lions need to improve the interior of their offensive line. Trading for Rob Sims was a master class move, as he will shore up the left tackle spot for the next 10 years and make life easier for Castonzo as he learns what the NFL is like. However, the performance of Peterman leaves a lot to be desired. This makes the selection of an All-American smash mouth guard like Moffitt a sensible one.

Moffitt is not a polished pass protector, and he did benefit from playing in the dominant Wisconsin offensive line, but his ability to push defensive tackle backwards and open gaps in the running game is exactly what the Lions need. They have been so poor running the football since the days of Barry Sanders because of blocking, not purely from lack of talent at running back.

Moffitt would be a day one starter for the Lions, and along with Sims, Hilliard and Castonzo, would finally solidify the most important group in a football team.

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Round 3 Pick 84: Mark Herzlich (OLB)

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CHESTNUT HILL, MA - SEPTEMBER 25: Mark Herzlich #94 of the Boston College Eagles falls after he intercepts a pass from Tyrod Taylor of the Virginia Tech Hokies on September 25, 2010 at Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. Virginia Tech defeate

The Lions most pressing need is their linebacker corps, which has one legitimate starter (DeAndre Levy) and two possible starters/depth players (Ashlee Palmer and Bobby Carpenter). They desperately need to add new young talent, and in the third round Herzlich will be a steal to any team who looks past his battle with cancer.

Herzlich missed the 2008 and 2009 seasons to his battle with cancer, but surviving this ordeal and still performing well shows his determination and desire to play. Although he still wont be at full strength at the start of the 2011 NFL season, his intangibles will still make him effective on the field. His coverage skills are some of the best available from a line backer in the upcoming draft, and he is a very sure tackler. His primary weakness of blitzing will also not be an issue for the Lions, who rarely blitz because of the dominance of their defensive line.

Herzlich will be one of the best line backers in this draft. Case and point, in Aaron Curry's final college season, where he was praised as possibly the best player going into the 2009 NFL draft, yet it was Herzlich who won the gong for the best defesnsive player in the ACC that season.

Round 4 Pick 109: Titus Young (WR)

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Ethan Miller/Getty Images

LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 22: Titus Young #1 of the Boise State Broncos runs for yardage around Chad Manis #18 and Justin Taplin-Ross #33 of the Utah Utes during the MAACO Bowl Las Vegas at Sam Boyd Stadium December 22, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Boise St

The Lions have a potent offense already, but they need another wide receiver to maximise the match up that Calvin Johnson has over corner backs. Nate Burleson would be better suited as a third wide receiver, and Titus Young would be able to be an explosive deep threat that would benefit from Stafford's cannon arm.

Young will still be available at this point of the draft because of his character concerns, and the strength of the current wide receiver class. The Lions would be wise to grab him though. He is an explosive player in the mould of Johnny Knox, who can get behind coverage and also take short passes and bubble screens the distance. He is a good route runner, and he has normally safe hands.

His would take the top off coverage for the Lions, and allow Johnson to work as a intermediate route runner, where he can deal the most damage.

Round 5 Pick 151: John Clay (RB)

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Jeff Gross/Getty Images

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Running back John Clay #32 of the Wisconsin Badgers rushes with the ball against the TCU Horned Frogs during the 97th Rose Bowl game on January 1, 2011 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Jahvid Best may be an explosive runner, but he is not an every down back. The Lions need a power runner who can fight for tough yards and provide the thunder to complement Best's lightning.

Clay is a very big running back at 248 lbs, and although not possessing breakaway pace, if he trims down to about 235 he would be able to be more complete. He runs with patience, and can run through tacklers if he gets a head of steam up. Certainly best suited to short yardage, downhill runs.

He is not a good pass catcher out of the backfield, or a good pass protector, which will let him slide to the Lions in the 5th round, but with Best around he will not be needed on obvious passing downs.

He can be phased into the rotation with Maurice Morris, and provide a powerful punch to the lacklustre running game.

Round 7 Pick 205: Who Cares...

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In the seventh round, they all get cut anyway. The Lions will draft depth in the secondary or offensive line, looking for the best player available.

Free Agency

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The Lions will be looking to make a splash here this off season, seeing as they think that they are close to a playoff berth. For the most part, they will look to keep hold of all their players who are up. In this category, the main focus will be Cliff Avril, who has been a star rusher this season. He is young, and gives the Lions a speed rusher beside Suh. Although Suh is a star, his performance was assisted by Avril's presence.

The one player who they may let go is Chris Houston. At the moment, he seriously over values himself. If the Lions get a young gun corner in the draft, they are likely to let Houston drift, and give his money to a superior corner back who is hitting free agency. Alphonso Smith would make a perfectly acceptable nickel back.

After the domestic matters are sorted out, the Lions will go on the prowl for some new talent. Check out the other articles I wrote earlier for the reasons, but I believe Mayhew and co. will be after Stephen Tulloch to help out the line backers, and Johnathan Joseph to give the secondary a star.