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2009 NFL Mock Draft: Detroit Lions

Written April 1, 2009 by Black Widow

2009-detroit-lions-mock-draft-040109 Well it can’t get any worse in Detroit after going 0-16 last year, so the only direction they can go is up. This is a roster in serious need of an overhaul. There are only a handful of must-keep players. The Lions are weak up the middle at QB, DT and LB and new head coach Jim Schwartz has a defensive background, but turning this team around could take a few seasons. The quick turnarounds in 2008 with Atlanta, Miami and Baltimore offer optimism, but none of those teams experienced an 0-16 campaign in their down years. The guys over at NFL Touchdown think that Detroit’s best option may be to trade the overall #1 pick for more picks, simply because they have so many places to make improvements. Here is my look at what the Lions’ biggest needs are right now.

1.) Quarterback - The Lions had five quarterbacks attempt at least one pass last season, and none of them are more than stopgap solutions. Jon Kitna was traded to the Dallas Cowboys, and Dan Orlovsky took his free agency to Houston. As of right now, it appears Daunte Culpepper would be the Week One starter, but he’s on the back end of his career. Drew Stanton was supposed to be the QB of the future at one point, but he has disappointed so far. The Lions have to find a 16-game starter to build with and mold an offense around. Good Fits in ‘09 Draft Class: QB Mathew Stafford (Georgia).

2.) Linebacker – The defensive line wasn’t spectacular and the secondary struggled, but the lack of playmakers and size at linebacker was simply startling in Detroit last season. Even Ernie Simms, the most talented player on defense, struggled. GM Martin Mayhew has talked of building a bigger defense, and even if the Lions are a base Tampa-2 team next season, they need to add size here. The MLB and SLB spots need an upgrade, and the addition of LB Julian Peterson from the Seattle Seahawks in the offseason should help. Good Fits in ‘09 Draft Class: MLB Darry Beckwith (LSU), OLB Marcus Freeman (Ohio State).

3.) Cornerback - CB Leigh Bodden was solid in Detroit, but the Lions couldn’t afford to pay him $8.6 million and thus he was cut in the offseason. The team placed a big emphasis on this position a year ago, and the result was an even worse pass defense than the one they had in ‘07. Only one DB had an interception in ‘08. There might not be another corner on the roster worth building around. Adding Phillip Buchanon from Tampa Bay in the offseason will help make up for the loss of Bodden, but still the Lions need another CB to go with him. Good Fits in ‘09 Draft Class: CB Alphonso Smith (Wake Forest), CB Mike Mickens (Cincinnati).

4.) Offensive Guard - Edwin Mulitalo did a decent job last year, but he’ll be 35 before the start of next season. ORG Stephen Peterman is just an average athlete, but he was re-signed so the Lions have high hopes he’ll continue to progress over his five-year contract. The problem is that the team has no young players at Guard other than Manny Ramirez, who hasn’t been able to crack the starting lineup. The Lions failed to establish a power running attack early in games, so finding guards who can push the pile is a must. Good Fits in ‘09 Draft Class: OG Robert Brewster (Ball State), OT Will Beatty (UConn).

5.) Wide Receiver - Yes, after taking receivers in the first round four times from 2003 to ‘07, only one remains on the Lions. Calvin Johnson has emerged as a superstar. But Johnson needs help badly. By season’s end the team was forced to use wideouts such as John Standeford and Keary Colbert, castoffs from other clubs. Shaun McDonald, who finished the season on the IR, is best as a slot receiver. Signing Bryant Johnson should help since he has caught 40 or more passes in each of his last 5 seasons with the likes of the 49ers and Cardinals. But still a legitimate No. 2 is needed. Good Fits in ‘09 Draft Class: WR Derrick Williams (Penn State), WR Louis Murphy (Florida).

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