Roundtable Discussion #3-NFL Draft

This weeks roundtable discussion centers around this weekends upcoming NFL Draft. The draft is a giant crapshoot, with trades, stupid decisions, etc, all playing a role in screwing up even the most knowledgeable "insiders" out there.

This weeks question: "Who will the Detroit Lions select with their 1st round pick (#23 overall) in Thursday's draft?

Brian:

I believe the Lions will select CB Dre Kirkpatrick out of Alabama. They are in desperate need of secondary help, and Kirkpatrick is a speedy corner with size and athleticism that will provide an excellent complement to Chris Houston. I would do terrible, terrible things for Mark Barron or David DeCastro to slide to 23, but obviously that won't happen.

Ryan:

Cordy Glenn, OG/OT, Georgia. The Lions are in need of serious offensive line help, in particular from a run-blocking standpoint. Glenn could come in and immediately start at RG or RT, with the potential to slide to LT when Backus either retires or cannot play LT anymore.

Phil:

With the 23rd pick, the Detroit Lions will select Whitney Mercilus, DE, from Illinois. Mercilus had an outstanding year last season, leading the nation in sacks on a terrible Illinois team. He is a pass-rushing machine, and with the aging of Kyle Vanden Bosch and the possible departure of Cliff Avril, the Lions will do well to add depth/possible replacement at DE. I think they could go CB/S here, but feel that Mercilus is too good to pass up

Frank:

With the 23rd pick in the NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions select….(insert player name here)
The Lions have plenty of options with their first pick. The glaring needs are at DE, ILB, and CB. Though they could potentially trade up and grab Stanford OT Jonathan Martin, given that Jeff Backus is getting old, I think Martin will be off the board at 23, and the Lions will address a need on defense. They can go with DE/OLB Courtney Upshaw, ILB Don’t’a Hightower, S Mark Barron, or CB Dre’ Kirkpatrick (notice the aforementioned are from Alabama.) Martin Mayhew will be saying, “Roll Tide” on Thursday night when he decides to go with Courtney Upshaw