ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper, Jr. recently conducted a re-grade of each team’s 2011 draft.
For the Lions, Kiper initially gave Detroit an A- based on their selections of Nick Fairley, Titus Young, Mikel Leshoure, Doug Hogue and Johnny Culbreath.
Here is what Kiper had to say about the Lions’ draft after the 2011 season…
The Lions did incredibly well when it came to drafting value based on my rankings, but I had them at only a C-plus for need. At the time, I wondered whether the fact that they didn’t get a cornerback, an offensive lineman or a linebacker would be an issue. The amazing thing is that, even though everybody significant in the class got hurt, this draft comes out looking not too bad, even in the short term. Nick Fairley had surgery in August but showed late in the season that he could become an impact player. Titus Young also was dinged early but managed 48 catches and more than 600 yards. Young has a really bright future. Mikel Leshoure‘s injury was really a shame, and you hope he can come back strong in 2012. And that’s really it for the Lions. They can’t live up to the post-draft grade, but at least there is plenty of promise, as it looks as if they’ll get two impact players out of it despite the bad luck early.
Kiper finished by giving the Lions a “B” draft re-grade.
I’m still okay with the Fairley pick but the Titus Young and Mikel Leshoure pick still bothered me despite the season that Young had. I believe the Lions’ struggles in the secondary validated my displeasure for those two picks.
Ref: ESPN.com, ffspin.com (image)