Finally the NFL Draft is upon us, a time of year in which Lions fans can once again get excited about their team after a previous year of disappointment.
The only thing is the 2012 Lions season wasn’t a disappointment… In fact you can say it was a success.
They were competitive all season long, beat some good teams, had a nice road record and went to the playoffs.
And it’s because of those successes that the Lions enter unfamiliar territory in this years draft as they pick not in the top 10, top 15 or even top 20. No my friends this year the Lions pick all the way down at No. 23, a spot that probably won’t get that sexy name but can certainly net a very nice return.
But better yet the Lions don’t necessarily have to draft the best player available at this spot and can draft based on need which at first glance is the secondary, defensive backfield and offensive line.
So lets take a look at some of the players who could be wearing the Honolulu blue and silver come Thursday night.
Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama
The Lions need good young talent in the secondary and Jenkins could certainly provide that. However his problems off the field could push him all the way back to the second round.
Amini Silatolu, G, Northwestern State
Ever hear of Northwestern State? Neither have we but Amini Silatolu has been jumping up on everyone’s draft boards due to his tremendous talent that can eventually turn him into an elite guard or tackle. Plus at some point the Lions are going to need to address an aging offensive line.
Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama
Some consider Kirkpatrick to be one of the top talents in this years draft and low and behold he plays a position of need for Detroit. It still seems somewhat unlikely he’s available at 23 but no thought Fairley would fall to the Lions at 13 last season. Crazier things have happened, like Minnesota drafting Christian Ponder in the first round.
Josh Robinson, CB, Central Florida
He’s not the best player at his position in the first round but he’s certainly not the worst either. Robinson would also be an upgrade over Eric Wright who was lost in the offseason.
Jonathan Martin, T, Stanford
Not a dominant blocker but an extremely good athlete. Martin could be another option for the Lions to replenish the offensive line.
Quintin Coples, DE, North Carolina
Not the best edge rusher in the draft but he could be an option for the Lions who may be looking for replacements for KVB and Cliff Avril in 2013.
Nick Perry, DE, Southern Cal
Again for all the reasons the Lions could draft Coples, they could also turn to Nick Perry. That defensive line could look really thin in 2013 and it’s better to be proactive than reactive.
Whitney Mercilus, OLB, Illinois
Did you know that Stephen Tulloch is the only linebacker signed after this upcoming season? So instead of relying on special teams players to fill in spots around Tulloch the Lions could look to Mercilus and his pretty good pass rushing skills.
Mark Barron, S, Alabama
Barron is a physical and aggressive safety that could provide some much-needed help for Louis Delmas.
Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama
Again, it’s better to be proactive than reactive. No need to have 6th and 7th round draft picks fill in at linebacker if it were to come to that in 2013.
Mike Adams, T, Ohio State
Adams’ stock has taken a big hit after a drug test at the combine found marijuana in his system. Still he could end up being a nice addition to any offensive line, including the Lions’.
Ref: ProFootballTalk.com, Sporting News, Detroit News, Detroit Free Press, NFL.com
