2011 NFL Draft: 10 Undrafted Free Agents the Detroit Lions Should Target
Now that the 2011 NFL Draft has come to its conclusion, most NFL Draft experts agree that the Detroit Lions came away winners.
The Lions got a steal in the first round when Auburn DT Nick Fairley fell to them with the No. 13 pick overall. They then added a top-notch receiver in Titus Young and traded up to land running back Mikel Leshoure, both in Round 2.
But while Detroit did have a nice draft, it failed to address some positions of need. The Lions desperately need help at the linebacker, cornerback and offensive tackle positions. They added a linebacker and offensive lineman in the later rounds, but there were some solid players at those positions who went undrafted.
Guys like Arian Foster, Antonio Gates and Wes Welker all went undrafted. So, are there any great players available who went undrafted this year? Which of those guys could the Detroit Lions potentially look to add to their roster?
Let's take a look at 10 undrafted free agents who the Detroit Lions should target.
10. Eric Gordon, LB, Michigan State
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Eric Gordon was a four-year starter at outside linebacker for Michigan State and left there as one of the most productive linebackers in the schools history.
The reason why Gordon did not put up as dominant numbers as he could have is because he played alongside All-American Greg Jones, who was drafted by the New York Giants.
The Lions have a desperate need at the linebacker position. With the loss of Ernie Sims to the Eagles, Julian Paterson to free agency and Zach Follett to a potential career-ending injury, this is a position that Detroit has to address somehow or another.
By adding Gordon, they get a guy who has great experience playing against top-notch competition in the Big Ten. In fact, it wouldn't be surprising to see Gordon compete for immediate playing time because this team has such a need at the position.
Adding Gordon would certainly make a whole lot of sense for this team.
9. Terrence Toliver, WR, LSU
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Terrence Toliver was a three-year starter at LSU and put up solid receiving numbers over his collegiate career.
In fact, coming out of high school, Toliver was one of the top-rated prospects in the country, regardless of position. He chose to go to LSU, which is well-known primarily as a run-first team. During Toliver's time, LSU never had an elite quarterback, which effected his numbers in college.
While his production may not have been the same as Julio Jones or A.J. Green, Toliver has the size/speed combination comparable to the top wideouts in this past draft. As an outside deep threat, Toliver could make a nice addition to any team.
Detroit did address the receiver position by selecting Titus Young in the second round. But after Calvin Johnson, Nate Burleson and Young, Detroit really doesn't have much depth after that, so Toliver would make a nice addition who could contribute in four receiver sets.
Again, this isn't a huge need, but Toliver is far too good of a talent not to be on an NFL roster in 2011.
8. Ryan Jones, CB, Missouri State
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It's never easy getting drafted from an FCS school. But Ryan Jones is a guy who was a standout at Missouri State during his college career. Combine that with the fact that he had a great showing at the combine, and many expected Jones to be a middle-round draft selection.
The Detroit Lions have a desperate need for a cornerback. Many expected Prince Amukamara to be their pick in the first round, but when Nick Fairley fell in the draft, he was near impossible to pass up on.
Jones has great speed and intangibles, but he also has extremely raw football skills. He has the potential to develop into a starting cornerback in the league down the road, but certainly not in his rookie season.
Right now, Detroit really doesn't have many options at cornerback, especially if Chris Houston leaves via free agency. With that said, adding a guy like Jones could be a perfect fit here for the Lions.
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7. Deunta Williams, CB, North Carolina
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Deunta Williams was one of the top-rated safeties heading into this year's NFL Draft, which makes it that much more shocking that he went undrafted.
During his college career, Williams was a standout in the Tar Heels' defensive backfield. A three-year starter, Williams recorded 188 tackles, three forced fumbles and 12 interceptions during his time at North Carolina.
While safety isn't necessarily a position that the Lions need, after Louis Delmas, Detroit could use a second option at safety. Perhaps Williams wouldn't come in and be a starter from Day 1, but he could provide depth at the position, which is something that this team certainly needs.
If Detroit doesn't go after this guy, it is almost a 100 percent guarantee that someone else will.
6. Pierre Allen, DE, Nebraska
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After a solid senior season at Nebraska and a good showing at the East-West Shrine Game, Pierre Allen was a guy who many projected to be a middle-round draft pick. But after an injury which prevented him from participating at the combine, Allen's draft stock began to plummet.
Allen was an All-Big 12 First Team member during his time at Nebraska. He isn't exceptionally fast or athletic, but he does have all the other intangibles of a good football player.
Right now, the Lions have both Kyle Vanden Bosh and Cliff Avril starting at the two defensive end spots. But after those two, there really isn't all that much depth at the position.
Detroit added Nick Fairley in Round 1, which will help make up one of the top units in the NFL. Adding a talented guy like Allen will only help.
5. Kris O'Dowd, G, USC
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While it can be said that the Lions had a great draft day, they did fail to address the offensive line.
Matthew Stafford has the potential to be one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL, but he has had trouble staying healthy because of a lack of production from his offensive line. They need help at all positions, and Kris O'Dowd is a versatile lineman who played at one of the top programs in the country.
O'Dowd is 6'5", 300 pounds, which is good size for both the center and guard position. He was projected as the third-best center prospect in the draft, but for some reason, went undrafted and will be looking for a team once the NFL lockout comes to an end.
Right now, it doesn't matter whether this guy plays center, guard or tackle; the Lions need help on that offensive line, and as it looks right now, O'Dowd is one of the top rated lineman who did not get drafted.
Sounds like an ideal pick-up for Jim Schwartz's club.
4. Kendrick Burney, DB, UNC
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Kendric Burney entered the 2010 college football season as a preseason All-American and a member of the Thorpe Award watch list, which consists of the nation's top defensive backs.
But, Burney was suspended for the first seven games of the season, and his promising final year turned into a huge disappointment.
When it comes to talent, Burney is one of the best amongst the potential cornerback prospects in this year's draft class. He is a good football player, but he only stands at 5-foot-9, and he ran a miserable 40-yard dash, posting a time of 4.74.
The former UNC standout will need to prove he can keep up with the pro game, but his instincts and ball skills are NFL-caliber.
As mentioned before, the Detroit Lions are in desperate need of help at cornerback. With Burney, they would get a guy who should make the team, based on his outstanding cover skills alone.
3. Derek Hall, OT, Stanford
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Derek Hall had the chore of protecting Andrew Luck last year, and from the looks of it, it seems like he did a pretty darn good job at it.
Hall was ranked anywhere between the No. 15 and 20 offensive tackles in this year's draft class, but he did not hear his name called on draft day. He has pretty good size, standing at 6-foot-5, 310 pounds, but he isn't the most athletic of offensive tackles.
Hall was a former defensive lineman who has only one season of starting experience at right tackle, but, for a guy with just one year at the position, he has all the tools needed to protect the outside in the NFL.
The Detroit Lions are in need of an offensive tackle, and if they have any plans to compete for an NFC North title this year, they absolutely have to address that position. Matthew Stafford has to be healthy if this team is going to compete, and that all starts with upgrading the offensive line.
Hall might not the be immediate answer, but he could provide depth and has the talent to develop into a solid NFL offensive tackle down the road.
2. Mark Herzlich, LB, Boston College
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This came as an absolute shock that this guy did not get selected in this year's NFL Draft.
Boston College linebacker Mark Herzlich has the willpower to beat the odds, winning his battle with Ewing’s Sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer.
Herzlich has great size for a linebacker, standing at 6'4" and weighing 244 pounds. The undrafted free agent was selected yesterday in the United Football League draft. Herzlich was drafted in the 10th round by the Omaha Nighthawks. If he decides to sign with them, he will have to play out the season with the Omaha team, so he has a tough decision to make.
This would be an ideal fit for the Lions. Herzlich is a great character guy, which is something that Detroit has made a point to address with all of their players as of late. In addition to that, he is a really good linebacker as well.
The Lions needed to address the linebacker position in this year's draft, and other then their fifth-round pick, Douglas Houge, they failed to do that. Adding a guy like Herzlich could give them a starting option at the outside linebacker position.
1. DeAndre McDaniel, S, Clemson
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When it comes to safeties, I had DeAndre McDaniel rated as the No. 3 safety in this year's draft class behind Raheem Moore and Quinton Carter. Yet for some reason, McDaniel left draft day without hearing his name called.
The former Clemson standout has good size, standing at 6'1" and weighing 217 pounds. He put up some very impressive numbers at Clemson, totaling 274 tackles, 15 interceptions and four forced fumbles during his collegiate career.
With great ball skills and the size and speed to play at the NFL level, this would be an ideal fit for the Detroit Lions.
Jim Schwartz's team certainly needs help in their defensive backfield, with Louis Delmas tagged as the only for-sure starter heading into the 2011 season. McDaniel is a guy who could come in and probably compete for that second starting safety spot.
Detroit has what looks like one of the top defensive lines in all of football. Now, if it added some more talent in that defensive backfield, this could be one of the best defenses in the NFC in 2011.
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