NFL Draft 2011: What Prince Amukamara Could Do for the Detroit Lions

After winning their last four games, it appeared as though the Detroit Lions had won their way out of drafting an elite cornerback such as Louisiana State’s Patrick Peterson or Nebraska’s Prince Amukamara.

That has changed. 

In one of his latest mock drafts, ESPN’s draft wiz Todd McShay has Amukamara falling to the Lions at pick No. 13 in what he calls a “dream scenario” for the Lions.

He could not be more right.

The Lions have searched for a playmaking, shutdown cornerback since trading away Dre’ Bly, who was the last Lions cornerback to make the Pro Bowl. The Lions' current No. 1 cornerback, Chris Houston, scares no one and may not even be with the team next season. If Amukamara falls into the Lions' lap, it might take all of 30 seconds to get the pick in for Roger Goodell to announce.

Amukamara would be great addition to a defense that must improve in order to compete in the offensively heavy NFC North. The Lions have had one of the worst defensive stretches in history, ranking last in total defense three of the last four seasons. 

To fix this, GM Martin Mayhew has devoted high draft picks to acquire defensive playmakers to fit the mold of coach Jim Schwartz defensive scheme. Last year’s second overall pick, DT Ndamukong Suh, was an All-Pro his rookie year and second year pro DeAndre Levy has developed into a Pro Bowl-caliber player.

This is also a dream scenario for Amukamara. Not only does he fall to a team that is on the rise, he will instantly be surrounded by players such as Kyle Vanden Bosch, who will show him how to be a professional, and he will benefit from going up against Calvin Johnson—aka Megatron—every day in practice. Most importantly, he is not being asked to be the savior, but merely to buy into the system and perform to his potential. 

The Lions have in place an explosive offense full of young stars that are going to put points on the scoreboard. In order to make great strides this season, they need a defense to hold them in games, or even win games for them.

Under Mayhew’s direction, the Lions have taken steps in the right direction. The addition of Amukamara would go a long way toward building a defense that is feared, something that has not been said in a long time.