Draft Talk

[Liqourish]

I love the pick. Fairley was arguably one of the top 3 players in the draft, and he fell into our laps at #13. Yes, Prince would have been nice, but you don't pass up this kind of talent to fill a need. You can fill needs in free agency. You draft the best talent available to you. Needs change over time.... talent wins you games.

There is still so much the Lions can do tonight. Mikel LeShoure, Ryan Williams, Bruce Carter, Brandon Harris, Mason Foster, Aaron Williams etc And then after the draft, we get free agency at some point. And what LBs and CBs wouldn't want to play behind this line?

[Lionlifer]

I get the feeling that the Lions are more in the market for an ILB, so we can move Levy outside. But, if Ayers is still sitting around towards the 7-13 range, does anyone think the Leos will make a move for him? I don't really want to trade up, but Ayers was rated a top 20 prospect on some sites...

[cochiseuofm]

And for all the nit-picking earlier, did Prince A. make it to #13??

LOL...I forgot all about this, kellmell basically telling us we were idiots for thinking Prince would be around for the Lions, then watching him drop six spots below us to the Giants...

I've got no problems with this pick. Great value, and I can buy that improving our biggest strength is a good strategy as it gives us something other teams just don't have. I really didn't think Fairley would be available, so I don't know if I ever even considered getting him.

On a side note, how terrible was ESPN's coverage of the draft yesterday? Chris Berman did nothing but interject useless quips and jokes, honestly he shouldn't be covering drafts. Jon Gruden and Mel started OK but spent the 2nd half of the draft just talking about where Andy Dalton would go, only to see no one take him. And ESPN ruined every pick before Goodell read it off by showing prospects on the phone. By the end they were showing the highlight reel for the selected players before Goodell even announced their name. Just awful.

[Piston Pete]

2nd round thoughts:

DaQuan Bowers scares me. He is extremely talented, and if healthy, might have been a top-5 pick. However, every team passed him in the 1st round for a reason - INJURIES. Its for that same reason, plus the fact we're looking pretty good at DE already, that I don't know if I want this guy.

LeShoure - Although he is a good talent and could be a good complement to Best, do we use our first two picks on DT/RB AGAIN???

I really think we need to go CB/OLB with our two picks today. Any way Bruce Carter falls to us in the 3rd round?

Guys I'm looking at in rounds 2-3:
CB's - Ras-I Dowling, Brandon Harris, Aaron Williams, Davon House
OLB's - Ayers, Carter, Greg Jones, Studivant, Mason Foster, Lawrence Wilson

...Leaning toward taking a CB in the 2nd and waiting to see what OLB falls to the 3rd round.

EDIT - Lawrence Wilson is very fast and has been super-productive at UConn. He's my sleeper OLB if we wait until the 3rd to address OLB.

[ajaX82]

And for all the nit-picking earlier, did Prince A. make it to #13??

Oh jeez I completely forgot about that debate. well its done now so enjoy

[ajaX82]

If we take a OLB and CB in rounds 2/3 I will be pretty darn happy. That defense will just be getting nastier and nastier. I also would not have a problem grabbing a top inside backer and sliding Levy outside. Hell if we grab an ILB and an OLB I wouldnt argue either

and yes, ESPN completely blew coverage of the draft. beyond awful. talk about no drama. I didn't mind Gruden but what they chose to show...I wish I got NFL network

[Icness]

I like Lawrence Wilson as well, but on Saturday. Very good coverage LB. Ross Homan is similar but a little small.

If the Lions go CB in round 2, I want it to be Curtis Marsh or Davon House, but IMO both will be available in the 3rd.

[TSE]

The CBs in the draft suck. Not sure why you guys want to blow a pick on a CB when we get can get 2 CBs via FA that should be better than these guys while keeping our picks to enhance other needs. I'd take OLB first, then 3rd round pick Taiwan Jones or Jernigan if they drop, otherwise probably another OLB.

My ideal scenario would probably be:

Rd 2) LB Bruce Carter
Rd 3) LB Mason Foster (or Moch/Herzlich/Jones) LB LOCKED FOR THIS PICK?
Rd 4) S Deandre McDaniel
Rd 5) RB/FB
Rd 7) RB/FB (maybe using these last 2 picks to move up the Rd 3/4, and maybe even gain extra points by trading down in Rd 2)

And I would take DaQuan Bowers if he dropped to us, but I dont think that will happen. In which case Carter becomes Bowers, and McDaniel stays the same or becomes another LB, with Carter's name going into that Rd 3 LB list.

The ILBs suck in this draft and next year is supposed to be loaded with them.

I have our 2012 mock as trading up for USC LT Matt Kalil.

[Icness]

I wouldn't take a corner either, and I HAVE to have a LB tonight. There is exactly one NFL LB on the roster right now. Gotta play at least 2...

[TSE]

Nice to see 2 DBs off the board first, that's the best thing for us, and more QBs.

[Icness]

A run on DBs would be great. Leaves some wiggle room to slide back if someone wants Mallett or Paea or DL.

[ajaX82]

We gotta go LB here in the second right?

[ajaX82]

there goes Ayers

[TSE]

I say pass on Jernigan in case he drops further.

So Leshoure at RB, or Carter at LB, or Moore at S, or my fav BOWERS!!!!

[ajaX82]

Carter gone too. LB is suddenly looking shaky

Slot WR may be the call here

[TSE]

Bye bye Carter,

Leshoure
Moore
BOWERS!

[Icness]

I say pass on Jernigan in case he drops further.

So Leshoure at RB, or Carter at LB, or Moore at S, or my fav BOWERS!!!!

Moore is delmas without spunk, redundant. I just can't take Bowers with the medical issues. I'll guarantee he doesn't play in 2011 and won't be playing as long as 2016.

[ajaX82]

god no Bowers

[TSE]

Yeah but maybe he can take out Cutler, Rodgers, and Ponder by then.

[TSE]

Bowers would be fun. If we are going to go for insane DL, let's do it right.