NFL Draft 2011: Examining the Detroit Lions' 1st-Round Options
With the 13th pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions select...
Could it be a young, athletic cornerback to replenish the Lions woeful secondary?
Could it be a tough, smart linebacker to replace Julian Peterson or Zach Follett?
Could it be an offensive lineman to finally quell the tide of countless Lions fans who have wanted to be rid of Jeff Backus since the very moment he was drafted?
With the draft two months away—but the combine just around the corner—it is time to take a look at some the Lions many options when it comes to the 13th overall pick.
Cornerback
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If the Lions do what many fans and pundits are predicting, they will walk away from the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft with a brand new addition to their defensive backfield.
Topping the list of (reasonable) candidates for the 13th pick is Nebraska's Prince Amukamara. Once considered a top 10 prospect, recent questions about the former Cornhusker's speed have dropped him down many media draft boards.
If he's on the board when Detroit's on the clock, he's an easy pick for the Lions, who will gladly sacrifice top-end speed for overall talent. They, like many teams, would hope he turns out to be another Tramon Williams or Joe Haden—two other guys who didn't run well.
If Amukamara is gone, look for names like Jimmy Smith (CB, Colorado) or Brandon Harris (CB, Miami), two athletic prospects who lack the overall polish of Amukamara.
A dark-horse pick could be Aaron Williams (CB, Texas) who some feel has the best ball skills in the entire class.
Why Not a Cornerback?
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If you're really hoping for a cornerback come April, there may be no joy in your Whoville because Gunther Cunningham is the Grinch coming to steal your happiness.
Gunther's heart is two sizes too small when it comes to rookies. At positions where mental lapses hurt the most—cornerback being one—he's even more surly.
The Lions plan to re-sign Chris Houston this summer. The former Falcons corner took numerous steps forward this season and deserves a payday.
The rest of the free agent market is pretty deep with defensive back talent as well.
The crown jewel is Nnamdi Asomugha (CB, Oakland), but Richard Marshall (CB, Carolina), Carlos Rogers (CB, Washington) and Eric Wright (CB, Cleveland) are all solid players.
If the Lions are able to re-sign Houston and grab another solid CB from the market, they won't be in the hunt for a first-round caliber corner in April.
They like Alphonso Smith as the nickelback and aren't going to draft a player in the first round who won't see the field.
However, if the Lions swing and miss on free agents, Gunther will have to suck it up and do the unthinkable—start a rookie corner.
Linebacker
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People question whether or not Von Miller (LB, Texas A&M) can play in a 4-3 scheme.
Anyone who was at the Senior Bowl, or who watched the second half of Miller's senior season, knows how foolish those sentiments are.
Miller improved at all the things people still needlessly knock him for—coverage, shedding blocks in space and reading keys to anticipate plays.
In fact, Miller might now be one of the most accomplished prospects at those very things.
Sadly, he's improved so much that he may be priced out of the Lions draft slot.
Don't give up so soon. If the Detroit Lions are looking to replace Julian Peterson—a 3-4 linebacker with some defensive end in his past—they might go up and get Miller.
The Aggie has a smaller overall frame than the former Michigan State Spartan, but shares some of the freakish athleticism that once made Peterson great.
If Miller is too pricey, the Lions could settle for Akeem Ayers (LB, UCLA) who has plenty of athleticism but lacks any real polish. The Lions could also reach a little further for prospects like Martez Wilson (LB, Illinois) or Justin Houston (DE/OLB, Georgia).
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Defensive Line
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That really scary guy?
Oh, that's Aldon Smith (DE, Missouri).
At the East/West Shrine Game, a scout—whose team is drafting in the later part of the first round—described Smith as "the most electrifying defensive lineman since DeMarcus Ware."
In fact, many project Smith to have an easy transition to outside linebacker, much like the current Cowboys star.
For the Lions, Smith probably wouldn't stand up—although he could. Instead, he'd likely be an impact playmaker with his hand in the dirt.
Sure, the Lions don't need a defensive lineman, but investing in your strengths can be just as important as covering up your weaknesses. Smith (or another defensive lineman) could provide insurance in case Vanden Bosch or Avril go down, eventually replacing the former.
Other defensive ends to watch out for are JJ Watt (DE, Wisconsin), Ryan Kerrigan (DE, Purdue) and Robert Quinn (DE, UNC).
In a slightly less likely scenario, the Lions could go interior line in back-to-back years, Corey Liuget (DT, Illinois) or Stephen Paea (DT, Oregon State) could add the impact of Corey Williams without the mind-numbing penalties.
Offensive Line
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If Jim Schwartz and Martin Mayhew have a "type," it would be an instinctive, tough, smart leader—Someone able to step in and command both a huddle and a film room from day one.
Remember, it wasn't just the physical impact of Matthew Stafford and Ndamukong Suh that impressed the Lions' brass. Those young men were known for their knowledge of the game and their time spent in the classroom and watching tape.
Some guys have so much character, a coach just wants them on his football team.
In the 2011 NFL Draft, that guy is Anthony Castonzo.
Is he the best tackle?
Most think not and are torn between two physical specimens, Nate Solder (OT, Colorado) and Tyron Smith (OT, USC), and the steady all-around play of Derek Sherrod (OT, Mississippi State)—an extremely smart player in his own right.
With Jeff Backus aging, and Gosder Cherilus coming off microfracture surgery, the Lions tackle position could be in flux. Castanzo (or Sherrod) could come in and immediately start on either side of the line.
On top of that, Castanzo (more so than Sherrod) can easily play guard. The 13th spot in the draft is low enough to take a guy and not be embarrassed if he ends up as a high caliber NFL guard.
Of course, the Lions could surprise everyone and finally give up on Dominic Raiola, who was a huge disappointment in 2010. Sadly, that is unlikely happen and no center in this class is worth a first-round look.
Offensive Skill Position
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*Paging Matt Millen*
If the Lions take a wide receiver in Round 1, Detroit fans everywhere will throw out their backs rampaging around living rooms and cursing the name of Martin Mayhew along with anyone he ever loved.
Calm down.
It really wouldn't be that bad of an idea.
Listen, no one is advocating that the Lions go into Radio City Music Hall looking to select Julio Jones (WR, Alabama), Titus Young (WR, Boise State) or Torrey Smith (WR, Maryland).
Yet, if push comes to shove and one of those are the best players available on the Detroit Lions' board, it wouldn't be the end of the world.
Bryant Johnson is not part of the solution in Detroit. If someone were drafted to push Johnson off the roster and Nate Burleson into the slot, it would be all the better for Matthew Stafford.
Flint, MI, native Mark Ingram (RB, Alabama) may be available as well. With Kevin Smith's long-term viability in question and Scott Linehan's desire for a balanced offense, he also could be an option.
Trade Down
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Speaking of Julio Jones, somewhere Sam Bradford's ears are tingling just knowing that someone is talking about some other team reaping the benefits of one of the top three-step wide receivers in recent memory.
The St. Louis Rams will take Jones if he is there.
He fits the strengths of Sam Bradford perfectly and can consistently add a yard to the end of any Stephen Jackson run with his excellent downfield blocking.
Similarly, signs are pointing to the Miami Dolphins wanting a crack at the aforementioned Mark Ingram.
Those two teams draft at No. 14 and No. 15, respectively.
New England could be looking at either a wide receiver or a running back and certainly have the ammunition to trade up.
The New York Giants, as well, need offensive skill to put around Eli Manning. New Orleans has all sorts of turnover in their backfield and might want to jump into the middle of the first for Ingram.
As of right now, the Lions look to be in prime trade-down position.
With a trade into the later parts of the first round, the Lions could still grab a starting-caliber CB or LB as well as adding an extra second-round pick, providing even more talent for a team that isn't that far away from a playoff hunt.
Final Verdict?
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When all is said and done, we're not the ones with this pick—we just get to be spectators.
Thankfully, for the first time in a long time, Lions fans seem to have a fair amount of trust in the Lions brain-trust to do the right thing. The days of Matt Millen are behind us and Martin Mayhew has done a phenomenal job re-engineering this current Lions squad.
The fact that the Lions are drafting 13th and have a variety of options is a testament to the progress this team has made.
Michael Schottey is an on-call editor for the Bleacher Report College Writing Internship. He is also an NFL featured columnist and an NFL draft expert. A member of the Pro Football Writers of America, he has professionally covered the Minnesota Vikings, and the Detroit Lions, as well as NFL events like the Scouting Combine and the Senior Bowl. Follow him on Twitter.
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