Tean-by-Team Draft Review: Detroit Lions

Jeff Miller

abdullah

Lions roar with might
Bears and Vikings cower in fear
Yet the Packers laugh

From chest hair to haiku, I am a renaissance man. I am also an unabashed Bears fan, so all you Motor City folks out there in DLF reader-land take note: This is the last time I’ll admit fear of the organization that allowed Matt Millen to do whatever it is he did for seven long years.

As we’ve done with most of the other 31 teams in the NFL, I’ll be recapping the Lions draft pick-by-pick. I can promise I’ll be impartial, but I can’t promise I won’t make fun of them.

Laken Tomlinson G, Round 1, Pick 28

Detroit may have reached here a bit, but they got the mauling run blocker they coveted. To sweeten the deal, via trading back five spots they picked up two fifth round picks (one this year and one next) and a capable interior lineman, Manny Ramirez.

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It should be said Ramirez had a dreadful 2014. The Lions seem to want him to fill the swing role, but if he can return to his excellent 2013 form it will be hard to keep him out of the starting center slot.

Side note: How amazing would it be if they traded for the baseball Manny Ramirez by accident? If Millen were still there, I’m convinced this could have been a real thing.

Detroit is clearly looking to turn into more of a run based offense, a goal Tomlinson should help them achieve. He was the best guard in the draft and is devastating in the proverbial phone booth. Joique Bell owners were rejoicing…for about 24 hours.

Ameer Abdullah RB, Round 2, Pick 54

As I conceded in a recent dynasty debate piece, Abdullah is right there with T.J. Yeldon to be the third running back off the board in dynasty rookie drafts. The undersized back (5’ 9”, 205 lbs) is a dynamo in space and has excellent vision to boot. He profiles as a dynamic third down back who is capable of handling perhaps 10-12 touches per game. I don’t see Abdullah as a bell cow and have concerns about his fumblitis, but I see him as having low-end RB1 upside if things break well for him.

Alex Carter CB, Round 3, Pick 80

The Lions once again made a deal, this time moving up eight spots, using the fifth they got from Denver to facilitate. In selecting Carter, Detroit is hoping he can step in for the aging Rashean Mathis perhaps as early as 2016. But even the best laid plans don’t always come to pass. Ultimately Carter should end up as a safety, a position his physical style and tight hips would be better suited for.

Gabe Wright DT, Round 4, Pick 113

Another round, another trade. This time Detroit gave up their 2016 third to get into the fourth, allowing them to address what many felt was their biggest position of need. Wright is of the disruptive interior lineman ilk (as opposed to a space eater). He had underwhelming production as a college player, but has the physical tools necessary to perhaps replace at least some of what Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley (when healthy) did.

Michael Burton FB, Round 5, Pick 168

A fullback in the fifth round? Yawn. Look, I get that the Lions want to address the run game, but Burton would likely have been available at least a round later. What they got in the fullback is a player capable of catching the ball out of the backfield and, despite not being overly physical, paving the way for Abdullah and company.

Quandre Diggs CB, Round 6, Pick 200

A bit small, Diggs is reportedly a tenacious player who won’t back down from larger, more physical receivers. His willingness to battle, especially against the run, could see him earn time as a nickel corner as early as Week 1.

Corey Robinson OT, Round 7, Pick 23

This is one big dude. At 6’7” and 324 pounds, Robinson could end up as a valuable light bulb replacer in the locker room. He could also develop into a starting caliber right tackle in the NFL. Scouting reports consistently hammer him for being highly inconsistent in his technique, but his physical attributes make for a nice flier this late in the draft.

If nothing else, this selection really solidifies how badly the Lions want to bring balance to their offense. Despite the addition of Abdullah, Bell is going to have a lot of value this season. It isn’t at all inconceivable Detroit could produce two RB2’s in 2015.

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jeff miller