Detroit Lions 2011 Mock Draft: The Case for a DE at Pick 13

Detroit Lions fans, take a look around the Internet for NFL content.

When you're not trying to avoid the latest bit of bad news regarding the lockout, I'm guessing you'll find a torrential downpour of mock drafts.

If you're anything like me, you generally only give close consideration to the top 13 picks before moving on. And that 13th pick is probably someone named Smith.

It might be Tyron Smith, the fast-rising offensive tackle out of USC, or it might be Jimmy Smith, the talented but troubled cornerback out of Colorado.

Now I wouldn't turn my nose up at either of those picks, as both have an opportunity to be great players in the NFL. But I reject the notion that those would be the two best picks for the Lions at pick 13.

Those picks are based on two different draft philosophies. Jimmy Smith is a reach who fills a big need, while Tyron Smith is a potentially good value at 13 who probably won't see any play time until 2012.

Between value and reach, Lions fans should know that the current front office favors value. By that logic, Jimmy Smith makes no sense. Why would the Lions, while still looking to stock up on talent, take a guy at 13 who is otherwise unlikely to get called in the top 20?

Tyron Smith looks much more like a top 15 candidate, but he brings a whole new set of concerns. In particular, being one of the top offensive tackles in a historically thin class of offensive tackles doesn't inspire much confidence.

But more importantly, the idea that the Lions need to draft an offensive tackle "to protect Matthew Stafford" is flawed. In actuality, the Lions had one of the 10 best offensive tackles in football last year, and now he's entering a contract year.

There's a certain fallacy in the idea that because Jeff Backus was torched by Julius Peppers (who has done worse to Hall-of-Fame linemen) on one play in one game; the fact that he played fantastic football in the other 15 is irrelevant.

Yes, Stafford ended up injured on that play. It was a monster hit, and it looked bad for Backus. But it was a mistake. One mistake against a man who will soon start garnering Hall of Fame discussion himself.

One mistake against the Lions' offensive line being sixth in the NFL in sacks allowed and 10th in QB hits allowed.

How does this all relate to Tyron Smith? Simple. If he gets drafted, he's going to be redshirting his rookie season.

Jeff Backus hasn't missed a game in his entire career, and the Lions aren't likely to sit him down in favor of a rookie during a contract year after completing a career season.

There are some advocates who say that Smith could sit and wait for a year before taking over for Backus, which isn't a categorically bad idea.

But aren't first-round picks reserved for people who are supposed to make an immediate impact? Especially offensive linemen, who generally experience a lower learning curve in the NFL than other positions?

Why couldn't the Lions just replace Backus next year when he's actually gone? Did Joe Thomas have to sit the bench his rookie season? What about Trent Williams? Anthony Davis?

Sure, those guys didn't plug in and become instant All-Pro players (well actually, Thomas did), but they did take over and become sufficient starters in their rookie seasons.

So what kind of player could the Lions draft that would make an impact as a rookie and still hold good value in the 13th spot?

Most likely, a defensive end.

Though the overall talent level in this draft is among the lowest in years, the defensive end position is relatively stacked. Cameron Jordan, J.J. Watt, Aldon Smith and Ryan Kerrigan have all seen their stocks move close to the top 10-15, and the Lions would likely get their money's worth with any of them.

"But wait," you say, "the Lions don't need a defensive end! The defensive end position is set!"

Let's observe that notion.

The Lions' defensive end situation currently consists of Kyle Vanden Bosch, Cliff Avril, Turk McBride and Lawrence Jackson.

Vanden Bosch is a great leader, but is beginning to decline and has trouble staying healthy.

Avril will be around for a while, but is still a pass-rush specialist with questionable (at best) run-stopping skills.

McBride is a restricted free agent. He has been tendered by the Lions, but the new CBA (whenever that is) is considered likely to render that void due to his NFL experience.

Jackson showed flashes of potential last year, but still has to be considered an unknown quantity.

The question is, where is the dominant all-around defensive end? Which of the players in that list wouldn't benefit from having a potential perennial Pro Bowler on the roster to take some snaps?

How much more damage could Ndamukong Suh do if opposing lines had to choose whether to double-team him or the dominant outside threat?

And with that in mind, why would the Lions pass on the opportunity to solidify their line as the most dominant in football, simply by picking the best player on the board?