Detroit Lions 2010 NFL Draft Preview

The Detroit Lions finished the 2009 season at 2-14. In the past two and a half seasons, the Lions are 3-37. The Lions are determined to turn their franchise around, however. On the opening day of free agency, the Detroit Lions went out and signed Kyle Vander Bosch. The Lions also traded for Corey Williams from the Cleveland Browns. Despite signing two quality defensive linemen, the Lions may be looking to the 2010 NFL Draft at one of the notable defensive tackles. Is this a wise decision?

What do the Lions need from the 2010 NFL Draft?
The Lions drafted their franchise quarterback in 2009, and their receivers are solid after acquiring Nate Burleson. Other than that, the Lions need pretty much everything they can get. Let's just start with the first case...

The case for Ndamukong Suh or Gerald McCoy in the 2010 NFL Draft
With the second pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, it's guaranteed that either Ndamukong Suh or Gerald McCoy will be available for the Lions to choose from, if not both. The Lions have given up approximately 500 points in the past two seasons, and this must be improved for 2010.

The Detroit Lions pass rush was non-existent in 2009. This led Lions management to pursue Kyle Vander Bosch and Corey Williams. Still, anyone that watched the Tennessee Titans when they were coached under Jim Schwartz can tell you that Schwartz's defense revolves around a 4-man rush. If the four defensive linemen are not reaching the quarterback, then the secondary is going to get burned. This is especially true when the second is weak like the Lions.

Kyle Vander Bosch is a workhorse who should be a great addition opposite of Cliff Avril. Corey Williams is a versatile defensive lineman who performs best in a 4-3, primarily at defensive tackle. Sammy Hill is 6'4", 330 pounds and can be a great asset on early downs against the run, but he lacks the ability to rush the pass rusher. The Lions also have no depth on their defensive line.

With Ndamukong Suh or Gerald McCoy, the Lions would have a legitimate four man pass rush with Vander Bosch, Williams, McCoy/Suh, and Avril. Hill could give the interior defensive linemen plays off on earlier downs, and the Lions can add some defensive linemen for depth in later rounds of the 2010 NFL Draft.

The case for Eric Berry in the 2010 NFL Draft
The Lions pass defense is atrocious. Being a Packer fan, I know. I think Matt Flynn could probably throw for two hundred yards against the Lions secondary. Much of that is because the Lions have no pass rush, but the secondary is pretty negligent by itself.

Eric Berry is the best defensive back in the 2010 NFL Draft. His presence would give the Lions a playmaker in the secondary, but I don't think its going to do that much if they don't get a pass rush. Drafting Berry second overall also seems high, so they would be best advised to find a trading partner. If the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are desperate for one of the defensive tackles, the Lions may be able to lure them for an extra while only paying Berry third selection money.

The case for Russell Okung in the 2010 NFL Draft
The Lions offensive line has been horrible... forever. It may have been horrible even when Barry Sanders was behind it making it look good. Jeff Backus shouldn't be the player protecting Matthew Stafford's blindside. Oklahoma State prospect Russell Okung would give the Lions the long-term solution they need at offensive tackle.

Okung may seem high as the second pick, but consider the Lion's NFC North rivals. The Chicago Bears have Julius Peppers, the Minnesota Vikings have Jared Allen, and the Green Bay Packers have Clay Matthews. Six games a year are against rivals, and the franchise quarterback is being protected by a liability. Okung would be a strong selection

The case for C.J. Spiller in the 2010 NFL Draft
A long-shot proposal would involve the Lions trading down in the 2010 NFL Draft. The Lions have many needs, and could stockpile on draft picks while still getting a first round player that would help them out greatly.

C.J. Spiller could give the Lions an explosiveness that they have lacked since Barry Sanders. He would serve as a tremendous compliment to Kevin Smith and also open the field for Calvin Johnson. Spiller's presence would help Matthew Stafford in the passing game as it would give him an underneath weapon. That could serve quite valuable in a weak offensive line. In addition, C.J. Spiller could create some drama in the Lion's return game.

Don't forget that the Lions play on turf, so Spiller's speed would likely have a greater impact for the Lions than some other teams. Finally, I think the pure excitement that C.J. Spiller would bring to the Lions would help their attendance issues, especially if Calvin Johnson and Matthew Stafford both start to blossom.

With the second pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions select...
The pick should be Russell Okung, Gerald McCoy, or Ndamukong Suh. In my St. Louis Rams 2010 NFL Draft Preview, I predicted that the Rams would take Suh with the first selection, so I expect the decision to be between Okung and McCoy.

Maybe I'm biased from watching the Tennessee Titans under Jim Schwartz a few seasons ago, but I believe the Lions will go with Gerald McCoy with the second selection in the 2010 NFL Draft. Schwartz must solidify the defensive line for his scheme to work properly. Gerald McCoy would not only give him a fourth strong player on the defensive line, it would also give him a young defensive icon to build the franchise on. If this were any other coach that I did not feel relied so heavily on 4-man rushes, then I believe they would and should take Russell Okung. Don't forget that Jim Schwartz had Albert Haynesworth when his scheme was working at its best, so I'm sure he wants that type of production out of any defensive tackle he selects.

Will the Detroit Lions be a NFC North playoff contender in 2010? No, but with a solid draft, I expect them to return to six or even seven wins.

REFERENCES
Joshua Huffman, "St. Louis Rams 2010 NFL Draft Preview." Associated Content. March 9, 2010.