They be bad…..really bad.

After watching the complete disaster that was the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving, it’s safe to assume that there is going to be a house cleaning at Ford Field. Seriously, how can there not be? Marinelli has to go, it’s that simple. And without a new GM or Director of Player Personal, the organization has yet to address the front office. What should the Lions do? And who will make the decisions come draft day, and what should they do?

Well, as I mentioned in my previous column, I would go with Scott Pioli from the New England Patriots, however, we’ll save that debate for later on down the road. As the weather has become gloomy, and temperatures begin to make their arctic plunge for the winter season, let us take a look at the spring, and the 2009 NFL  Draft.

The Lions, barring some sort of miracle, will have the first overall pick. Teams that have the first overall pick, generally, go with a quarterback in that spot. Some turn out to be great decisions (Peyton Manning), while some do not (Tim Couch, Jeff George). However, if you look around the league, the majority of your starting quarterbacks are first or second round picks from the NFL Draft, with some exceptions (Tom Brady always comes to mind, and Tony Romo sure fits the bill, but he had years to develop before being thrust on to the main stage). Detroit, with two selections in the first and third round, more than anything, needs to come out of the 2009 draft’s first day with the quarterback of the future. If they decide that Dante Culpepper is their quarterback, then by all means, they keep him, and build around him. However, I’m not so sure that’s the case. Anyways, let us move forward with analysis of the situation.

For this part of the discussion, let’s assume the Lions decide to draft a quarterback with that first overall selection, there will be one, maybe two guys there worthy of being looked at. Everyone’s favorite, Matthew Stafford from the University of Georgia, and Heisman trophy favorite Sam Bradford from Oklahoma. Both would make great choices, and both are three years removed from high school. With that pick, I would go with Stafford for three reasons:

1.       He has played against SEC defenses, which are much better, and faster, than Big 12 defenses. Having played against this upper level of defensive competition will help with the adjustment to the NFL.

2.       He has never played behind a great offensive line, which is great training, because he wouldn’t be playing behind an offensive line in Detroit for his first couple years, so he’ll feel right at home. Bradford’s entire offensive line will be hearing the name on draft day, and if you watch Oklahoma highlights, you’ll notice that Bradford will sit in the pocket untouched for months.

3.       Bradford has played in a spread style offense against defenses that are, simply put, horrible. It’s easy to look good when that’s the situation. Stafford comes from a more pro style of offense, where he’s asked to make more true reads than Bradford has been asked to make.

So, with the first overall selection in the 2009 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions select Matthew Stafford, QB, University of Georgia.

                With their next selection, the team can go a variety of places, and it all depends on who and what is available at that spot. There is almost no spot on this team that couldn’t use an upgrade at some place.

                Personally, if it were up to me, I would go after either cornerback or guard. However, guards you can always add with middle round selections, and the Lions have a good number of those. At this spot, I would think the Lions would be wise to go with Alphonso Smith, the cornerback from Wake Forest. He may be somewhat undersized, but he’s intelligent, a ball hawk, and a playmaker. And he’s good value here in the later part of round one.   

So, with the twenty second selection in the 2009 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions select Alphonso Smith, DB, Wake Forest.

                With their second round selection, the Lions need to start addressing their line position. There will be a slew of quality players available at these spots at the top of the second round. If I were the Lions, I would look defense, and I would want to find someone who could rush the passer. This really doesn’t take nearly as long as the first round selections. If the Lions can develop some semblance of a pass rush, their entire defense will become that much better. With that in mind, I think the Lions look at Florida State end Everette Brown. He’s quick off the end, and has the size to hold up. The junior, should he declare, is a first day selection, and could possibly move into the bottom part of the first round.

With the first selection in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions select Everette Brown, DE, Florida State.

With their top selection in the third round, I look at position of weakness, or the potential to pick up a steal. In doing so, I look at Travis Beckum, the tight end from Wisconsin. A first round talent who broke his leg near the end of the college season will have had almost 6 months to recover from the injury when the time comes for the draft (this pick is assuming he recovers from the injury), and will have had a good amount of time to recover from the injury. He could be a steal should the leg heal, and would be good value here. The Detroit Lions are horrid at the tight end position, and could really use help in a playmaking tight end.

With the first selection of the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions select Travis Beckum, TE, Wisconsin.

With their second selection in the third round, quite simply, I look at the receiver position. This team, beyond Calvin Johnson, really doesn’t have a whole lot to be impressed with. They need another receiver.  There is value in another Georgia guy, as they look at Mohammed Massaqoui. Not the fastest guy, but he’s got good hands, and has been playing at a high level for four years. He’s good size, and would be a good target for Stafford either as their number 2 receiver, or as their slot guy on third downs.  

With their second selection in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions select Mohammed Massaqoui, WR, Georgia.

If the Lions are able to come out of the first round with a quarterback, wide receiver, tight end, defensive end, and cornerback, I think we can assume this draft could yield success down the road for the team. In the later parts of the draft, they can look at offensive line depth, maybe another corner, and someone who can return kicks to help the special teams.

All right, that covers the first three rounds of the draft. I’ll go in depth in the end of the draft, as well as possible free agents. Until then, have a good one.