NFL Draft Results Analysis: Lions Pick a Big Surprise?

The number 13 isn't always unlucky as the first day of the NFL Draft proved for the Detroit Lions. The NFL Draft results for the first round are almost all in and the Lions are surprising quite a few people as evidenced by draft analysis articles.

The Lions had their choice of many of their top targets including Prince Amukamara, the Nebraska CB who played with superstar DT Ndamukong Suh of Detroit, and some top defensive end prospects, who would all fill a need.

But they went with Nick Fairley of Auburn in a move that surprised many onlookers. Fairley is one of the most athletic, disruptive DT prospects to come along in many years and he will now team with Suh to give the Lions one of the most high-potential combos.

Was it the right pick, however? A certain former Lions GM that was about as maligned as any GM in history (Matt Millen of course) was praised for loading up on freakishly talented wide receivers. It obviously didn't pan out.

Doing the same with freakishly talented defensive tackles is a bit different, however. The DT is not dependent on the QB, offensive line, running game and more to help them out; DT's can dominate on their own and change a game with their presence along the defensive line.

The Lions have since said that they had designs of trading out of the spot potentially if Fairley wasn't there or maybe would have traded up to get him if they felt it was necessary.

Whenever a team targets a player that received a consensus of good ratings aross the board then manages to go out and get him or have him slide to them at that spot, it usually seems to work out well.

There is no question that Fairley will be a solid, if not good-to-great, player at the defensive tackle spot, The only question is whether or not the Lions, a team that still has a considerable amount of needs,

They could have filled a bigger need at cornerback or defensive end in the 13th spot.

But if Fairley goes on the have the career everyone thinks he will alongside Suh, the Lions will be looked at as one of the big winners from the 2011 draft results in the coming years as they claw their way back to respectability.