2011 NFL Draft: Detroit Lions Biggest Needs Are at Receiver and Running Back
Many people, including myself, have suggested and predicted that the Detroit Lions should address the offensive line or defensive backfield with their first pick in the 2011 NFL draft.
After thinking about it for a while though I may have come to a different conclusion.
The Lions offensive line was at the very least serviceable last year, and the defense really started to come on towards the end of the season.
The Lions have one of the best wide receivers in the NFL in Calvin Johnson, and an explosive running back with lots of upside in Jahvid Best.
I believe that both of those players have been hindered by the lack of depth at their positions though, and I could argue that if the Lions drafted a good player at their respective positions it would take some pressure off of them, and in the long run make the whole team better.
I think the Lions two biggest needs to fill in this draft are actually at the wide receiver and running back position.
Here are 5 players from each position that I think the Lions should take a good hard look at in the 2011 NFL Draft:
10. John Clay
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I’ve been touting John Clay as a typical down-hill, north and south type running back since we starting setting our sights on the draft a few months ago.
He shared a lot of time running the ball at Wisconsin but I still don’t think that the Lions would go wrong using him as a short yardage back, and he would be especially helpful in goal line situations.
Clay would also come as a value because obviously the Lions wouldn’t need to take him in the first few rounds, but I think he has the potential to be a difference maker.
9. Titus Young
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Young is a guy that the Lions could look to draft in the third round and if given time to develop he could be a huge contributor to the organization.
He showed in college that he has the ability to make plays, but more than anything he is just a solid wide receiver that you can count on to bring in the ball when he gets the chance.
At the very least, teams would have to consider him a threat on offense, which would really open up space for Nate Burleson to make some moves.
8. Kendall Hunter
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Hunter is a tough back that the Lions could pick up in the middle rounds, which would allow them to make the safer fundamental picks in round one and two.
He is a strong runner with a wide stance, and even though he is somewhat of a small back he runs with the authority of a work horse.
He cannot be taken down by an arm tackle and is very good at getting yards after contact.
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7. Greg Little
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The big word with Greg Little is potential.
Many scouts and analysts think that Little has the potential to be a big time play maker in the NFL, and that alone makes him worth the shot in my opinion.
He sat out the whole 2010 season because of an NCAA infraction involving an agent, but the season before that he was one of the more explosive players in college football.
He is not extremely fast, but he has very long strides that allow him to get behind the defense easily.
The Lions don’t necessarily have a receiver on the roster that has blazing speed, so with the addition of Little it would give them one more vertical threat to put opposite of Calvin.
6. Mikel Leshoure
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Leshoure would be a great guy to put behind Jahvid Best in the depth chart.
He is a hard runner and always fights for extra yards. He’s also been described as having a good nose for the end zone.
He runs with good pad level and displays a pretty decent stiff arm.
Leshoure would be extremely effective In short yardage situations, but he would also bring something to the passing game as well.
5. Randall Cobb
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Cobb is your typical possession receiver, but his football IQ and athleticism make him extremely dangerous.
He catches the ball very well and rarely brings it into his body. He can also take a hit going over the middle, and actually seems comfortable being physical. His physicality really comes into play in the running game being that he is not afraid to take the big hits, but he can also dish out a few himself.
I would compare him to Mike Williams to Lions fans, but with much more upside and the lack of character issues.
With him on the team you have a deep threat in Johnson, a crafty slot guy in Burleson, and a great possession receiver in Cobb.
They would be a very formidable trio.
4. Ryan Williams
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Williams could stand to gain a few pounds if he wanted to make a big difference in the Lions backfield, but he would still bring a much needed pop as is.
He runs hard and low to the ground which makes him hard to take down.
The most attractive quality that Williams brings as a runner is that he is always falling forward. Rarely will he be stopped for negative yardage, and when he is tackled he will get you an extra yard or two on the way down.
The Lions have often suffered in short down situations not having a back that can hit the line of scrimmage and get those tough yards.
3. Julio Jones
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Julio Jones has been pushing for the number one receiver spot in the draft this whole off season, and if you’re asking me I think that he very well could be the best.
Jones is a big strong receiver that can run routes with the best of them. He has the unique combination of size, speed and strength that all the great wide receivers possess.
He also displays a pair of mitts that will bring in almost any catch that you throw his way, and he has no problem fighting in the middle of the field.
Jones could easily be the No. 2 receiver on the Lions roster behind Calvin Johnson. He would take a tremendous amount of pressure off of Johnson, all the while making plays for himself
2. Mark Ingram
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Ingram is the obvious choice for the Lions if they are looking for a big bruising back to tandem up with Best.
Truthfully Ingram would be number one on the depth chart in my opinion. He has a very low center of gravity and is built like an every down NFL running back.
He is a strong runner with a solid burst of speed that has actually reminded many analysts of Adrian Peterson.
I think that he would be available for the Lions to take at 13, and they may even be able to trade their second pick into the late first round to try to snag him there.
Having Ingram as your every down running back and using Jahvid Best as a third down scat-back or in the passing game could work out extremely well for the Lions.
They would have the best backfield in the league.
1. A.J. Green
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Green is a long and lanky receiver with exceptional hands and ball skills, and most people consider him to be the undisputed best wide receiver in this draft.
He can go up for jump balls, catch bullets in stride, and has shown a knack for making big runs after the catch.
He has big strides that make him very hard to catch up with in the open field, and displays good field sense and body control both in the air and running his routes.
The Lions would most likely have to trade up a few spots to get Green, and I know that anytime drafting a receiver in the first round is brought up fans in Detroit start freaking out.
But, the reality remains that Green could very well be the next Calvin Johnson, and if Detroit has the opportunity to have two world class receivers on the same team I think it would be worth the shot.
With Green on the Lions I think they would easily possess the most explosive offense in the league, and if Stafford and Best stay healthy in the backfield it could turn into something very special.
There is much risk involved and many people think the Lions should go defense in the first round, but I think if the Lions took the chance it could take them from a being a potential wildcard team to one of the best in the conference.
Also, I hate to be the guy to bring it up, but if Calvin Johnson decides to skip town you would have Green waiting in the wings to take over the No. 1 slot.
Follow Andrew on Twitter: @AKonSports
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