Lions Draft Recap

After selecting Riley Reiff in the first round and Ryan Broyles in the second round, it was obvious that the Lions needed to focus on the defensive side of the ball. They did just that. They're next six picks were all defensive players. The Lions made multiple trades throughout the day, and here is the final list of players they selected:

• Riley Reiff, OT (23rd Overall Pick)
• Ryan Broyles, WR (54)
• Dwight Bentley, CB (85)
• Ronnell Lewis, OLB/DE (125)
• Tahir Whitehead, OLB (138)
• Chris Greenwood, CB (148)
• Jonte Green, CB (196)
• Travis Lewis, OLB (223)

Ryan Broyles, Ronnell Lewis and Travis Lewis all played their college football at Oklahoma. Chris Greenwood is a local product, playing his college football at Albion College. The breakdown of two offensive players and six defensive players is a good split. After the last two games of the 2011-2012 season, it was painfully obvious that the Lions needed help in the secondary and they certainly tried to address those needs through the draft.

Introducing....Riley Reiff

In the weeks leading up to the draft, the Lions were thought to be looking to upgrade the defense either through a defensive end or a cornerback. As it turned out, all the cornerbacks worthy of the 23rd pick (without significant baggage) were off the board. There were an abundance of defensive ends available, but the Lions chose to address a more long-term need of offensive line.

The Lions chose Riley Reiff who was widely thought of to be a top 20 pick by most mock drafts:

• Mel Kiper ($): 13th to Arizona
• Todd McShay ($): 13th to Arizona
• Peter King: 18th to San Diego
• Mike Mayock: 13th to Arizona

When we looked at possible first round picks for the Lions earlier this month, I was operating under the assumption that Reiff would already be off the board. Reiff was a three year starter at Iowa. He started at right tackle and moved over to left tackle after Bryan Bulaga moved on to the NFL.

I don't think the first round played out like anyone thought it would. The amount of trades was something that I had never seen before and was a product of the new collective bargaining agreement. Martin Mayhew stayed true to his word when he said he would take the best player available. Reiff could play either tackle spot long-term, but I think it's pretty obvious that he'll be groomed to take over for Jeff Backus. For the upcoming season, don't be surprised if he slides over to the right side to give Gosder Cherilus some competition along with Corey Hilliard before moving over to the left side after next season.

Looking Ahead

The second and third rounds of the draft will be tomorrow night, and the Lions have one selection in each round. Their priorities for tomorrow have got to be to bring in at least one cornerback who can compete for a starting position. Addressing the offensive line was a perfectly logical choice with the way the draft fell tonight. However, if we're sitting here at this point tomorrow and the Lions have yet to draft a corner, feel free to hit the panic button. As it stands now, the group of Houston, Lacey, Berry and Smith is not going to produce two quality starters at cornerback.

Names to Watch (All Cornerbacks)

• Janoris Jenkins, North Alabama
• Trumaine Johnson, Montana
• Josh Robinson, Central Florida
• Josh Norman, Coastal Carolina
• Brandon Boykin, Georgia

With the 23rd Pick of the 2012 NFL Draft...

...The Detroit Lions select:

I don't have the slightest idea who they will select. I used the above picture to distract you from the fact that nobody knows what Martin Mayhew is going to do. Raise your hand if you had the Lions selecting Nick Fairley in the first round last year.

I'm noticing a surprising lack of hands. I could over analyze the possibilities until I can't think anymore, but there's a good chance that I'm still going to be wrong.

Go ahead, mock my Photoshop skills. It'd be well deserved

I remember watching the draft last year, screaming at my TV as soon as the Lions were on the clock. And why was I screaming? BECAUSE I WANTED PRINCE AMUKAMARA. I'm not bitter. In fact, as long as Fairley doesn't spend as much time smoking the herb as Charles Rogers, I think he's going to be one hell of a player. I have no idea who the Lions first round draft pick could end up being, but I'll give you a list of seven players to keep your eyes on:

1. Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, ROLL TIDE
2. Whitney Mercilus, DE, That school where Zooker used to coach
3. Jonathan Martin, OT, Andrew Luck's Alma Mater
4. Janoris Jenkins, CB, Northern ROLL TIDE
5. Stephon Gilmore, CB, USC (Not the cheating one. Well, not the one that obviously cheats)
6. Mike Adams, OT, O-H, I-O, State.
7. Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College (If he takes a nose-dive down draft boards like my GPA senior year of college)