NFL Combine 2011 Results: Who Will Top the Lions Draft List?

When it comes to the draft, there are many differences between the Matt Millen GM era and the new Martin Mayhew GM era. The primary glaring difference is that Mayhew is not just looking at securing another wide receiver during the draft. Millen would have taken a wide receiver at every pick if there had been enough to go around. 

As the GM for Detroit, this will be the most important draft of Mayhew's career. Most Lions fans are confident that he will get the job done, which is far more than can ever be said of Matt Millen.

Who is Mayhew looking at as possible draft choices coming out of the combine?

We know at least some of the players that the Lions have chosen to interview. But unlike Millen, Mayhew (and Head Coach Jim Schwartz) tend to downplay who they are most interested in. So the combine has shed some light in terms of who the Lions might be interested in.

Let's run down the latest players to have caught the eyes and ears of Mayhew and Schwartz.

Titus Young

Okay, this was just fun to throw out there given all of my comments about Millen. However, the Lions did meet with Young, a wide receiver, out of Boise State.

It is not a secret that Schwartz wants a third receiver who would allow Johnson and Burleson to break out of coverage. Young might not be the tallest kid, coming in at 5' 11", and he's a skinny 174 lbs (Stefan Logan is 5'6" and weighs 180, to give you some perspective), but he had a good run in Boise and might be a late-round value.

The truth is, the Lions need a third threat at wide receiver so it may not be a surprise for the Lions to take a receiver in the draft. Granted, many Detroit fans believe the team would be better off getting a power running back to upgrade the running game and looking at wide receiver later on.

Brandon Harris – The Lions staff had an "informal" meeting with the Miami cornerback. According to a poll taken on the Lions website, many fans chose Harris to be their second pick assuming Nebraska's Prince Amukamara was already off the board. Jimmy Smith is the third fan favorite among cornerbacks.

It certainly should not come as a surprise to anyone that the Lions are checking out the mid-range cornerbacks at the combine.  

Mayhew, who played at the cornerback position at Florida State University, may have his eye on Prince, but he knows that they have to be ready for every scenario. 

There have also been some concerns about Prince's ability to be an elite cornerback in the NFL.

Wes Bunting, a writer for the National Football Post, highlighted some of the concerns about Amukamara recently, writing, "The biggest concern is that he really has only average straight-line speed. He struggles to make up for a false step and too often will allow receivers to get behind him vertically down the field, failing to quickly get back up to speed and close out of his transition."

Bunting later wrote that his assessment doesn't equate to Amukamara becoming a bust in the NFL, he just thinks he could perform better at the safety position. 

Apparently the Dallas Cowboys agree with Bunting, asking Prince if he would be open to playing safety.  He said he would, but believes he would be better suited at cornerback.

Bottom line: the Lions staff may already see Brandon Harris as a better fit, regardless of where Prince lands in the draft.

Jimmy Smith has many character issues, and let's just say he did not add to anyone's list of "Gee, I can't wait to get this guy" during his interviews. An ego problem can cause a lot of rifts on a team. 

Also, ritual dictates that the rookies carry in the veterans pads after practice. How do you think Jimmy Smith would take to that?  You need to prove yourself first in the NFL before you can have bragging rights. It is unclear whether Smith can do that. 

Akeem Ayers

The linebacker from UCLA met with Lions staff on Saturday during the Combine.  He looked both sluggish and outstanding at the combine. He was very slow in his 40, but his lateral, back peddling, and focus looked great. It has also been said that he is a much faster player than he showed in the 40.

A self-professed hard-working "lead-by-example" player, Ayers has been a fan favorite for quite some time.

Akeem, meet Kyle Vanden Bosch. He'll help you refine your hard-working lead-by-example skills.

If the Lions are not looking to pick up a stud linebacker in free agency (whenever that occurs), Ayers could be a good fit. 

The Lions did not just meet with Ayers, however, which makes it look as if the FO is serious about filling a need at the linebacker position, maybe even more so than at cornerback.

Other linebackers who got an interview with the Lions were Chris Carter (who can also play defensive end) from Fresno State, UConn linebacker Scott Lutrus and Nick Bellore from Central Michigan. 

Two of these guys have been on the Lions radar before.  Carter and Bellore drew interest from Lions Scouts at the East-West Shrine game. They are players who could fall to later rounds and be a great value pick. Versatile players with good work ethic, they also sport the kind of size and ability that Gunner likes.

Carter showed at the Shrine game that he can play OLB in a 4-3 scheme. Since it was the Lions defensive line coach, Kris Kocurek, who met with Carter, this could indicate that he is being scouted more as a defensive end instead of a linebacker.

If they haven't already picked Ayers, I would be watching for Mayhew to target either Carter or Bellore. Actually, they could look to pick one of these guys up even if they have taken Ayers, as they would be filling two different positions. 

Bellore will likely be in the sixth round or undrafted. Carter is also reportedly on the Patriot's radar and is projected to go late in the first round or early second round. If the Patriots are looking at him too, then he is likely to be a "project" player and shouldn't go that early in the draft.

There are reports that USC offensive tackle Tyron Smith was expected to meet with the Lions staff also during the combine. I don't have an official report saying that this happened, but Smith stated he was slotted to meet with Mayhew and company.

Recent mock draft scenarios, post-combine, have the Lions picking either Smith or Anthony Castonzo, another offensive tackle, in the first round. Castonzo (Boston College) had a slightly better performance at the combine than Smith. Either way, in the mock drafts, there seems to be a growing consensus that the Lions forgo a cornerback and end up choosing an offensive tackle.

There has been some controversy about whether the Lions need a Tackle in this draft.  However, Mayhew has stated that he is not just drafting to fill the needs we have this year. He is also looking ahead to the long-term success of this team.

It is the Martin Mayhew way of scouting and drafting.

If the right guy drops to them, they will take the player who can either play immediately or one whom they see being a back-up this year and growing into the position in following years. 

Smith left the combine with an injury to his shoulder. He was not the only one to do so.  Casey Matthews left with an injury to his shoulder too.  It is not expected to be hugely damaging to their draft status.  Smith was not projected to be ready to be a starter this season anyway.  

Putting the combine aside for just a minute, the Lions have also interviewed Castonzo, when he played at the Senior Bowl. They seemed to focus on offensive tackles at that game. Besides, Castonzo, they talked to Nate Solder and Gabe Carimi. Greg Jones, a projected OLB, was the only linebacker they were known to speak with.

Castonzo may be the better pick because, during the Senior Bowl, he played left guard. He's versatile and we all know how much weight that holds with the Lions coaching staff.

I'm certain that more will come out in the next few weeks about who has been invited for tours of Ford Field and more interviews with the Lions. Right now, I am completely baffled by our first-round pick. There are several players I like and honestly feel, maybe unlike others, that we are only two or three positions away from a post-season run. 

As with every day, I am proud to be a Detroit Lions fan but today I am feeling very grateful that I am not Martin Mayhew. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't mind being there with the staff to watch it all unfold, I'm just glad the future of the Lions is not resting on my shoulders. 

Go get 'em, Mayhew!