With the NFL Scouting Combine at it’s end this year, what has the Lions’ front office learned? In short, they’re going to have a tough decision to make with the 5th overall pick. This year’s Draft doesn’t feature the stand out skill position players but what it does feature is a deep selection of positions the Lions find themselves in need of, positions like defensive end, safety, and offensive line.
Lions’ GM Martin Mayhew and newly hired vice president of player personnel Brian Xander will have a tough choice with many possible targets available to them and there’s no telling what the teams above Detroit are going to do. For example experts and former scouts can’t even decide if Kansas City is going to take QB Geno Smith or OT Luke Joeckel which is relevant to the Lions because if Joeckel is there for Detroit he is a can’t pass on type player.
So here is the list of potential targets for the Detroit Lions after the Combine.
(Grades are via NFL.com)
Top 4 on Detroit’s board
Jarvis Jones, OLB – Jones didn’t work out at the combine because of some minor injuries. He wanted to get the health of his spinal stenois checked out by doctors and prove he is good to go. Jones will however be working out at Georgia’s Pro Day.
Grade: 88.8
Luke Joeckel, OT – Joeckel was at the combine which was about the only headway he made during the weekend. He didn’t WOW anyone with his 5.30 40 and had a poor showing in the 10 yard split. While his 27 reps of 225 lbs are good it was the 3 cone drill that saved his combine and prevented him from slipping. Overall, Joeckel was out performed by the other two tackles behind him (Fisher and Johnson).
Grade: 95.3
Dee Milliner, CB – Milliner answered the question many scouts were wondering, does he have top end speed? Milliner ran a 4.31 40 and proved his toughness just by showing up for the workout while needing shoulder surgery. I wouldn’t hate the Lions drafting Milliner, it’s just there are other pressing needs. He definitely looks like he could be Detroit’s guy though.
Grade: 93.2
Bjoern Werner, DE – If Werner is there with the 5th pick, this will be a gift from the football gods. Werner has been my guy all along and probably my football crush of the 2013 NFL Draft. Werner has the game film, had a good combine with 25 reps of 225 lbs, ran a 4.83 40 time and his measurables are solid and NFL ready. He’s a can’t pass player if there and trumps everyone on this list for the Detroit Lions.
Grade: 90.9
Players Detroit needs to take a hard look at after the Combine
Eric Fisher OT – Fisher has done nothing but rise up 1st round mock draft boards. Fisher impressed many with a smooth flow moving through workouts. He also kept his 6’7″ frame low (being low at 6’7″ helps create leverage to better fight off would be pass rushers) while putting up a solid 27 reps in the 225 lbs bench press. Fisher also posted a 5.05 in the 40.
Grade: 91.3
Barkevious Mingo DE/OLB – Mingo was receiving high praise before the draft and all he did was back that high praise up. The DE/OLB ran a 4.58 40 and showed off his athleticism in drills. The question though with Mingo is will he be a 3-4 OLB that will rush the passer or can he play DE in a 4-3? I think Mingo is a freak of nature and his raw talent will allow him to play either. He might of had the best combine on the defensive side if not for Margus Hunt.
Grade: 92.8
Dion Jordan DE/OLB – Jordan ran a blazing 4.60 in the 40, but I definitely see more of an OLB than DE with him. For the NFL, Jordan has a small frame at 6’6″ and 239 lbs. which will more than likely move him off the defensive end position. He is set up for OLB in a 3-4 and while his skill set is impressive I think he would also be a good OLB in a 4-3 because of his nose for the ball. Jordan makes plays and would be able to shut down a TE when he draws that match up.
Grade: 88.0
Ziggy Ansah DE – Ansah might be the most NFL readied defensive end in the draft. He has size, skill and had an impressive last month that has taken him from a 1st round bubble pick to a possible top 10 pick. Ansah impressed in the Senior Bowl and rode the momentum into his combine workout. The only DE more ready might be Werner out of Florida State but with Lions coach Jim Schwartz getting an inside look at him during the Senior Bowl the Lions could shock the World and pull the trigger on Ansah. the only knock on him is the talent he played against in BYU.
Grade: 89.3
Margus Hunt DE – Hunt is a beast! In fact this giant crushed the combine displaying his size, speed, and overall athletic ability. Hunt ran a 4.6 40 time and put up 38 reps of 225lbs. Like Ansah his knock is playing against lesser talent at Southern Methodist but I will note Detroit’s own Sammy Hill played at Tillman and it has worked well for both the Lions and Hill.
While I don’t think Detroit takes him with the 5th pick, someone is getting a freak at 6’8″ and 277lbs.
Grade 82.4
Undraftable for Detroit
Damontre Moore, DE – He is the only guy I think Detroit can’t take at 5. I use the term undraftable because Moore is young and showed immaturity by showing up to the combine unprepared while probably needing another year at Texas A&M. Moore has impressive game film but only had 12 reps of 225 lbs and a 4.95 4o. Not to say I didn’t like him, he did have an impressive vertical jump (35.5 in) and broad jump (122 in) I still think 5 years down the road Moore could be a name NFL QB’s fear. But our Detroit Lions cannot take a project with the 5th pick and not get production from him until year 2 or 3.
Grade: 89.2
*Grades are from NFL.com and their rating system.
96-100 is a Future Hall of Famer a one in a generation type player.
85-95 is an immediate starter. He is a player with ability and possible Pro Bowl player.
70-84 is an eventual starter and project type. They could bring depth to a position and be a starter later.
50-69 is a draftable player but a back up or special teams type.
20-49 is a free agent type and in the right situation this player could earn a job as a free agent.
h/t: Yahoo! Sports (image), NFL.com