Draft Talk

[Bartender]

I heard the Allen Bradford visit was to get more info on Jimmy Smith. The Lions brought in Jimmy Smith's high school football coaches and had a two hour visit with them about Jimmy Smith, and than brought in Jimmy Smith's high school teammate, Allen Bradford. Sounds like they are getting as much info on Smith as they can because to me, it looks like he is the front runner to be the number 13 pick.

[Piston Pete]

Am I alone in thinking that I would consider trading #13 and our 2nd rounder in order to move up and grab Patrick Peterson?

1) CB Peterson
3) OLB Bruce Carter

[ajaX82]

Am I alone in thinking that I would consider trading #13 and our 2nd rounder in order to move up and grab Patrick Peterson?

1) CB Peterson
3) OLB Bruce Carter

It would be a hefty price, but considering how good Peterson could be, I consider it.

The thing is, you wouldn't even have to jump to 1. Peterson is going to slide for some dumb reason like "I can't pay so much for a Corner", possibly even to 7. Maybe jump to 5 and swap with Arizona if they aren't sold on a QB

PP looks like a stud though. He would really solidify our DBs

[Piston Pete]

That's what I was thinking. We would only have to move up to #5 or #6 to get Peterson ahead of San Fran at #7.

If we draft Peterson and can re-sign Houston or (pipedream?) go after Nnandi, our defense could be elite within a year or two.

Love to see an elite CB like Peterson work behind an elite D-line like we have here.

[ajaX82]

I heard the Allen Bradford visit was to get more info on Jimmy Smith. The Lions brought in Jimmy Smith's high school football coaches and had a two hour visit with them about Jimmy Smith, and than brought in Jimmy Smith's high school teammate, Allen Bradford. Sounds like they are getting as much info on Smith as they can because to me, it looks like he is the front runner to be the number 13 pick.

I'm starting to think the same. From what I can see, Smith has all the ability to be a really good CB (big, fast, confident/cocky) but is kind of a bone-head and has some character issues

[TSE]

He doesn't strike me as a complete football player. His skills aren't elite enough considering he's not well rounded enough. I just don't see the value in gambling here with a high first round pick, the FA CB market and weak draft class combines to lower the value of this player beyond the point that we should be mentioning his name at all in any context other than a sizable trade down.

[Lionlifer]

Am I alone in thinking that I would consider trading #13 and our 2nd rounder in order to move up and grab Patrick Peterson?

1) CB Peterson
3) OLB Bruce Carter

It would be a hefty price, but considering how good Peterson could be, I consider it.

The thing is, you wouldn't even have to jump to 1. Peterson is going to slide for some dumb reason like "I can't pay so much for a Corner", possibly even to 7. Maybe jump to 5 and swap with Arizona if they aren't sold on a QB

PP looks like a stud though. He would really solidify our DBs

Hi all, long time lurker, first time poster. With the draft coming up I felt like I had to join, since the fiancee forbid me to talk about the lions draft anymore

Anyways, I love the idea of getting PP, he is projected to fall more than he should, and he could be a very very special player. If it would cost us a first and a second, I'd be all for it. Behind the line we have, I could see him being a star, and whens the last time we said that about one of the Lions CB's?

[ajaX82]

Am I alone in thinking that I would consider trading #13 and our 2nd rounder in order to move up and grab Patrick Peterson?

1) CB Peterson
3) OLB Bruce Carter

It would be a hefty price, but considering how good Peterson could be, I consider it.

The thing is, you wouldn't even have to jump to 1. Peterson is going to slide for some dumb reason like "I can't pay so much for a Corner", possibly even to 7. Maybe jump to 5 and swap with Arizona if they aren't sold on a QB

PP looks like a stud though. He would really solidify our DBs

Hi all, long time lurker, first time poster. With the draft coming up I felt like I had to join, since the fiancee forbid me to talk about the lions draft anymore

Anyways, I love the idea of getting PP, he is projected to fall more than he should, and he could be a very very special player. If it would cost us a first and a second, I'd be all for it. Behind the line we have, I could see him being a star, and whens the last time we said that about one of the Lions CB's?

Welcome! Always nice to have new voices on the board

[ajaX82]

Kind of random but as we approach Thursday I can't believe how high Cam Newton has risen, along with how wacky the QBs are this year.

Cam is the easiest bust to call in this draft...and he may go #1! A QB coming from a run-first spread system, who played one year of D-1 football (a good one I will concede) who has major character issues...i mean man, I don't get it. He's like Vince Young with less starts and more character problems. Him in Buffalo is the place that makes the most sense, where Chan Gailey can tweak his system to fit Cam and let him sit a year while Fitzpatrick plays. But I wouldn't touch the guy

The rest of the QB class is really weird too. Gabbert concerns me because of his system and his not stellar college production (though i think he ends up the best of the bunch), and Locker couldn't hit water if he fell out of a boat. Hell a guy like Dalton, who looked like a late round flyer when the season ended, is now a late first rounder?? Same with Kaepernick. And to top it off, the past actual passer in the draft may be like the 7th QB taken (Mallett) because he is a raging douche.

Glad we have Stafford. Wouldn't want to pin my first round hopes on any of these bozos.

[Lionlifer]

Speaking of the QBs this year, has Gruden already done his sit down with Cam Netwon? I'm thinking that would be fun to watch as Newton doesn't impress me as a QB at all.

Its nice that he won the Heisman and national championship, but at the end of the day, what would make a team draft him in the high first round? His throwing motion is sub par, accuracy isn't much better, and he has red flags galore. I'd pass on him so fast his head would spin, but maybe the pro scouts see something I don't there.

As far as Gabbert, I think he could be the best out of the class, with Kapernick as my dark horse sleeper. Locker should have left last year, Mallet has drug rumors, and the rest aren't inspiring.

I'm with you, its a good thing we aren't in the market for a QB. Stafford could run circles around most there guys from the IR

[Icness]

Peterson is unattainable, because Houston is desperate to get him and they have more ammo.

It looks like the pick is either Amukamara, Castonzo, or Bowers. If it's the latter two, expect them to try very hard to move backwards and pick up an extra mid-rounder.

I was in Detroit over the weekend and the one really good tip I got was: look at Titus Young in the 2nd round. Wish I had more but this is a real strange year.

[cochiseuofm]

I don't like Cam either, but I have read enough articles to understand what teams and experts see in him. They are generally impressed at how he led that Auburn team to a national title last year, many of them refer to his win over Alabama where Auburn was down 24-0 and won 28-27 in Alabama. The consensus seems to be that he has the mysterious "it" factor. And to a certain degree, it is impressive that he was able to come into a new school and immediately get his team to believe in him and lead them to those heights.

But I don't really think he'll be great, he has the tools to be good but I just don't see what other people see in him. I'm damn glad the Lions don't need a QB, I've never seen a class get so overrated as the one in this year's draft. There are people comparing Jake Locker to Brett Favre, Andy Dalton to Drew Brees, etc., etc. The other day I read an article about how Gabbart has photographic memory which allows him to learn and execute complex offenses, but he never did so in college.

To be frank, I don't really see another Sam Bradford in this class, much less top five QB potential. I might be wrong, but it seems like a lot of overhype based on the number of teams who desperately need new passers.

[Lionlifer]

I don't like Cam either, but I have read enough articles to understand what teams and experts see in him. They are generally impressed at how he led that Auburn team to a national title last year, many of them refer to his win over Alabama where Auburn was down 24-0 and won 28-27 in Alabama. The consensus seems to be that he has the mysterious "it" factor. And to a certain degree, it is impressive that he was able to come into a new school and immediately get his team to believe in him and lead them to those heights.

But I don't really think he'll be great, he has the tools to be good but I just don't see what other people see in him. I'm damn glad the Lions don't need a QB, I've never seen a class get so overrated as the one in this year's draft. There are people comparing Jake Locker to Brett Favre, Andy Dalton to Drew Brees, etc., etc. The other day I read an article about how Gabbart has photographic memory which allows him to learn and execute complex offenses, but he never did so in college.

To be frank, I don't really see another Sam Bradford in this class, much less top five QB potential. I might be wrong, but it seems like a lot of overhype based on the number of teams who desperately need new passers.

I get the whole "it" factor thing, but really, does he have more "it" than Tebow (hate to bring him up, but they are similiarish)? Tebow is essentially the perfect human being from what I can tell, and he slipped. Granted Newton is a better athlete, but Tebow was such a fantastic leader, and a winner. I think whoever drafts Newton will eventually regret it. Can he help you win in the NFL? Maybe. But I don't see him willing a team to victory at the next level, which is exactly what I'd expect from the number 1 pick.

[Liqourish]

This is the first year I have no clue what the Lions are going to do, and yet, I'm not worried about it at all because I trust Mayhew/Schwartz. They have a vision for this team and we are seeing that vision materialize. There are some prospects I like more than others, but I trust our front office to continue on in the direction they've gone with this team.

[TSE]

I get the whole "it" factor thing, but really, does he have more "it" than Tebow (hate to bring him up, but they are similiarish)? Tebow is essentially the perfect human being from what I can tell, and he slipped. Granted Newton is a better athlete, but Tebow was such a fantastic leader, and a winner. I think whoever drafts Newton will eventually regret it. Can he help you win in the NFL? Maybe. But I don't see him willing a team to victory at the next level, which is exactly what I'd expect from the number 1 pick.

But nobody else in the draft can make a valid case for being worthy of the #1 pick. Every player either disqualifies themself by having a medical concern, or lack of statistics, or not strong enough competition, or character concerns, or 1 year wonders, or questions transitions to the NFL. There are precisely 0 guys that are worthy of the pick. So it's a matter of who can pretend to make sense with that pick the best, and Cam Newton is a QB, which is a positionally logical, and he has all this crazy upside on the if portion if he pans out. If you have the #1 pick, you have to take Cam or figure out a trade, or you are going to look really stupid and foolish by reaching for another player.

[TSE]

Speaking of the QBs this year, has Gruden already done his sit down with Cam Netwon? I'm thinking that would be fun to watch as Newton doesn't impress me as a QB at all.

Yes he did and it's a great show, I recommend watching all of the Gruden QB Camp episodes, it's great stuff. He also has one for Nick Fairley too with the same title. I also wish the Lions had hired him in the past, I always thought he was one of the better coaches in the league so I love this show cause to me he's a respectable football man and that's a very lacking thing in this league.

[Lionlifer]

I get the whole "it" factor thing, but really, does he have more "it" than Tebow (hate to bring him up, but they are similiarish)? Tebow is essentially the perfect human being from what I can tell, and he slipped. Granted Newton is a better athlete, but Tebow was such a fantastic leader, and a winner. I think whoever drafts Newton will eventually regret it. Can he help you win in the NFL? Maybe. But I don't see him willing a team to victory at the next level, which is exactly what I'd expect from the number 1 pick.

But nobody else in the draft can make a valid case for being worthy of the #1 pick. Every player either disqualifies themself by having a medical concern, or lack of statistics, or not strong enough competition, or character concerns, or 1 year wonders, or questions transitions to the NFL. There are precisely 0 guys that are worthy of the pick. So it's a matter of who can pretend to make sense with that pick the best, and Cam Newton is a QB, which is a positionally logical, and he has all this crazy upside on the if portion if he pans out. If you have the #1 pick, you have to take Cam or figure out a trade, or you are going to look really stupid and foolish by reaching for another player.

Stupid and foolish like the Texans when they passed on Bush

[TSE]

Stupid and foolish like the Texans when they passed on Bush

Yeah exactly. lol

Well almost, cause Reggie Bush was a RB, not a potential franchise QB. Maybe you should have used Vince Young in your example? And for me personally, I tend to value RBs in the draft less than the average GM anyhow, cause I believe there are a lot more talented RBs out there and ways to get them cheap. Drafting RBs high in Rd 1 isn't something to mess around with, it's different if it's Barry Sanders, but there has never been a RB prospect as intriguing as Barry, so Reggie is kind of a moot point.

But Mario Williams doesn't quite compare to the guys in this draft. He could have similarly compared to DaQuan Bowers if Bowers didn't have a medical concern. They both had 2 fumbles their last year, approximately 60 tackles, and 14-15 sacks. So it's kind of inconvenient that Bowers has this concern, cause if he didn't, then we could see how he would be perceived in this draft as compared to Mario Williams. And the next best comparison could have been Robert Quinn, but then he didn't even play last year and has that concern. He did however have 6 fumbles created in 2009 when he last played, so that's something. How would people react if Carolina took Quinn #1? Fans would be pissed and experts would harp on them for getting bad value. Mario Williams had the stats that these guys had, but he had health and he checked out, he was easily a more enticing and worthy prospect for the #1 spot, and if he was in the draft this year he would be the only guy that Carolina would consider as an alternative to their Reggie Bush version in Cam Newton. Mario Williams in this draft would allow Carolina to officially remove guys like PP and AJ Green, and Fairley/Dareus. The glut of those guys only exist because that #2 choice is hard for them to

[ajaX82]

I get the whole "it" factor thing, but really, does he have more "it" than Tebow (hate to bring him up, but they are similiarish)? Tebow is essentially the perfect human being from what I can tell, and he slipped. Granted Newton is a better athlete, but Tebow was such a fantastic leader, and a winner. I think whoever drafts Newton will eventually regret it. Can he help you win in the NFL? Maybe. But I don't see him willing a team to victory at the next level, which is exactly what I'd expect from the number 1 pick.

But nobody else in the draft can make a valid case for being worthy of the #1 pick. Every player either disqualifies themself by having a medical concern, or lack of statistics, or not strong enough competition, or character concerns, or 1 year wonders, or questions transitions to the NFL. There are precisely 0 guys that are worthy of the pick. So it's a matter of who can pretend to make sense with that pick the best, and Cam Newton is a QB, which is a positionally logical, and he has all this crazy upside on the if portion if he pans out. If you have the #1 pick, you have to take Cam or figure out a trade, or you are going to look really stupid and foolish by reaching for another player.

Patrick Peterson has none of the concerns you listed. If you wanna make a case for it being too early and expensive for a corner, I could partially buy that. But I think he is far and away the best player in the draft, and thats who you should pick #1. Especially if you have a need there (and Carolina needs a CB).

The problem with Cam is that you don't want huge red flags with the #1 pick. Regardless if you are the biggest Newton fan in the world or not, I don't think anyone will disagree with him being a high risk, high reward pick. With the #1 pick, I don't want major red flags or high risk. I want low risk, high ceiling. And thats Patrick Peterson.

Different strokes for different folks I guess

[ajaX82]

Peterson is unattainable, because Houston is desperate to get him and they have more ammo.

It looks like the pick is either Amukamara, Castonzo, or Bowers. If it's the latter two, expect them to try very hard to move backwards and pick up an extra mid-rounder.

I was in Detroit over the weekend and the one really good tip I got was: look at Titus Young in the 2nd round. Wish I had more but this is a real strange year.

I really worry about Bowers and that knee. Stuff like that just scares me. At this point I am fine with Castonzo in the first, pretty fine with Prince too. I feel like a decent CB may slip to the second where we pick though, making Castonzo possibly a better pick because you can grab a CB later. I feel like all the good tackles will be gone by our second pick.

Titus Young is intriguing, but second round WR is a little iffy for me.