So the NFL Combine is here which for Lions fans is almost like media week leading up to the Super Bowl. It’s what we do, looking and hoping for the next Barry Sanders or the next Calvin Johnson, guys we as fans can hang our hopes of NFL glory on.
Heading into the weekend, Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o and Georgia linebacker Alec Ogletree seem to have the most to gain after the combine as Lions fans probably continue to hope that their team passes over these two.
For Te’o it’s was being torn up in the National Championship game against Bama and obviously the controversy surrounding his fake girlfriend hoax which has many questioning where his head’s at.
As for Ogletree he’s just been his own worst enemy.
After a rising draft stock Ogletree essentially put a brick wall in front of that with DUI and drug related issues making himself a huge risk for any team that takes him early. He was a perfect fit for Detroit but now the Lions cannot afford to take that gamble early on.
Obvioulsy both players, Te’o and Ogletree have huge question marks but could put their draft stock at ease with big days at the combine. Lions’ fans though should watch these two as they both are possible targets in the 2nd round and could result in getting maximum talent on the roster.
This isn’t a plea however to get either player. I’ve stated time and time again, I DON’T WANT CHARACTER ISSUE GUYS.
The Lions simply can’t afford to take the risk. There is little depth on the Detroit roster and guys drafted in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd rounds need to step in and play on the first snap of the 2013 NFL season.
So with that said here are three more guys I don’t want to see the Lions draft:
Dee Milliner (CB – Alabama) – It’s not that I don’t like him, I don’t like him with the 5th pick. There’s a bigger need for the Lions which Milliner doesn’t fill. In fact the cornerback position is probably not in as bad as shape as fans think. Detroit drafted three guys last year that could all start this upcoming season. Improvements at defensive end, linebacker and safety would in themselves help the corner position greatly. Milliner though does have good size and plays well in the run and pass. The knock on him is he lacks top end speed, is too aggressive from time to time and was only a starter for one year.
Cordarrelle Patterson (WR – Tennessee) – Don’t laugh, I’m dead serious when I put him here. Patterson has huge upside but is raw. The Lions have invested in the offense time and time again and it’s still not right. Detroit is still looking for someone opposite of Megatron and I hope and pray Patterson isn’t even considered. Patterson though has the size and speed to be a top NFL wide receiver and this JUCO transfer broke the Tennessee record for all-purpose yards last season. He does need work in route running but with a big combine he could creep into the top 10.
Jarvis Jones (LB/DE – Georgia) – I’ve spent time dissecting Jones’ play and I love him. But the risk isn’t worth it to me. I see Kiper selecting Jones to go to the Lions at 5 and I’ve seen CBS Sports having him go 6th or falling down to 15th. Jones though is suffering from spinal stenosis a degenerative condition for which there is no real cure. But despite what’s ailing him physically, Jones has turned out to be an absolute beast in the past two seasons.
If there is one knock on Jones after the health risk it’s that he’s feasted on teams with a talent shortage in his career. But ultimately the reason I’m against him being drafted is the health risk. Detroit can’t have a guy rendered useless to them because of health in his 2nd or 3rd year.
With the bad news out of the way here is the good news, this draft is loaded with players that fit the Lions’ needs. If you as a fan want the Lions to select a defensive end, safety, offensive lineman, or linebacker this is your draft. Aside from that the skill positions in this draft aren’t great which is more good news as Lions GM Martin Mayhew still has that best player available philosophy. Keep in mind Detroit doesn’t need to select a running back, wide receiver or quarterback in this year’s draft. Running back and receiver can be handled in free agency enabling Detroit to focus on impact playmakers in positions of much greater need.
This brings me to the defensive end position which has all of a sudden become a point of emphasis for the Lions. This came to be after the release of Kyle Vanden Bosch and Cliff Avril more than likely not being brought back.
Now in terms of Avril, playing next to Suh obviously benefited him greatly. His numbers certainly reflected it but if he was truly as good as the money he is about to get the numbers would have been better.
If Detroit puts a guy like Moore, Mingo or Werner next to Suh… watch out. Detroit could even target guys in the 3rd round and get a starter.
So with all that said the position definitely to watch for Lions fans is defenisve end and here’s your list of guys to keep an eye on.
Bjoern Werner (DE – Florida State) – Probably the most readied defensive end coming out. Werner has the size and gets off the ball pretty quick. He does however need a crash course of NFL tackles but is a future Pro Bowl type that should rack up 12 Sacks a season for a while.
Damontre Moore (DE – Texas A&M) – Moore already has NFL moves to rush the passer yet is still untapped potential. He needs to add size but scouts do say his skill set could allow him to play in any defense.
Barkevious Mingo (DE – LSU) – Mingo is possibly the best athlete at the position but scouts do wonder though if he should move to linebacker. With that said he needs to add muscle and size to play defensive end at the NFL Level.
Ezekial Ansah (DE – BYU) – Ansah could be a sleeper top 10 pick with a big combine performance. He already has size but the big question is the talent he played against at BYU.
Alex Okafor (DE – Texas) – Okafor has a good motor and would replace KVB nicely. He too has nice size and would normally be considered a 5-10 type pick if the class wasn’t so strong. Okafor has the most to gain at the combine and is a for sure 1st round pick.
Dion Jordan (DE – Oregon) – Jordan is more of a hybrid type and could be asked to move to linebacker in addition to the defensive end position. Jordan is very lanky and will have a hard time adding muscle but you can’t deny his play making ability and nose for the football. If he fell to the 2nd round by some miracle and Detroit thought he could play OLB that would be excellent.
Margus Hunt (DE – Southern Methodist) – At 6’8 Hunt is a QB’s nightmare. He blocks passing lanes and just flat out makes things happen. You have to wonder though how much of his success at the college level is a result of him playing the opposition at Southern Methodist? The combine will tell us more.
William Gholston (DE – Michigan State) – A highly touted recruit coming out of high school, Gholston has had an up and down career in college. He has the size to play in the NFL and when his motor is running he can be a beast. Gholston however does play down to competition but if he’s there in the 5th round Detroit could snag a future starter.
The rest to watch out for
Luke Joeckel (OT – Texas A&M) – It’s been a while since a tackle has gotten so much hype. Joekel isn’t getting Orlando Pace or Jake Long love but everyone seems to like this guy. Now I could go all into detail about blocking technique etc. but the bottom line is Joeckel played in the SEC and had Johnny Heisman’s blind side covered. Joeckel is NFL ready and if he slips to the 5th pick, how does Detroit pass?
Chance Warmack (OG – Alabama) – When is the last time a guard was considered a top 10 pick, let alone a possible top 5? Warmack is the best available OL in the draft. He is a monster and although I want Detroit to go defense, guard is a need. Bottom line is I wouldn’t be mad if he’s identified as the top priority.
Safety: Kenny Varraco, Matt Elam, Jonathan Cyprien, Eric Reid, Phillip Thomas, Bacarri Rambo, Tyrann Mathieu all could be guys on the Lions’ radar at some point.
My pick though is Phillip Thomas.
I love his size and skill set at safety but all the aforementioned guys will need the combine to generate some distance between them. Varraco and Elam have the most to lose as they could fall out of the 1st round while others like Cyprien, Reid, Thomas, Rambo and the Honey Badger who were all thought to be 2nd to 3rd round picks could move up to higher spots.
Khaseem Greene (OLB – Rutgers) – At 6’1 236 lbs Greene isn’t a big punishing linebacker but he is a playmaker. He has good strength, speed and the ability to strip the ball away from the opposition. Detroit could end up targeting him in the third round.
Andre Ellington (RB – Clemson) – Ellington is that speedy back that could give Detroit that threat out of the position. He shows decent ability to catch a pass out of the back field and could also return punts. With an extra pick in the 5th roundd this should be a for sure target.
Ace Sanders (WR – South Carolina) – Sanders doesn’t have the size you want at 5’8″ but he is a straight burner (remember him Michigan fans?). Ace would fit the slot nice and improve the return game. With two picks in the 5th round the Lions could make a huge splash getting Sanders and Ellington.
Barrett Jones (C/G – Alabama) – Even though the Lions brought back Dominic Raiola they will need to groom his replacement this year. With that said if Barrett Jones is still there in the 2nd round the Lions can’t pass him up. It’s thought that Jones is so good he could play right tackle in the NFL but I’d be happy if he plays guard for one year then moves to center.
Larry Warford (OG – Kentucky) – Warford is huge at 6’3 333lb and with that size I’m anxious to see him in drills and the bench press. If he performs it’s going to be hard pass him up in the 3rd round if the Lions don’t address the offensive line prior.
Well that wraps up the players to watch this week at the combine. Remember Detroit brought in ex-Bronco’s GM Brian Xander and he is heading up scouting. It’s also important to note that Xander had the highest percentage of drafted players make the roster in the NFL in his 3 year term with Denver.
UPDATE: A couple of things to note, Millner has since announced he will have shoulder surgery while Barrett Jones will not take part in the combine.