The great work and picks keep a rollin' with Romainn El 82's selection for the Detroit Lions at #15. I was wondering when Troy CB Leodis McKelvin would come off the board, and before our draft hit the midway point of Round 1, he's gone. Good stuff from our resident Motown resider. Next up? The Exiled West Steelers..ahem..The Arizona Cardinals and bereadawg at #16.
The Needs:
Quarterback- Not as much of a need as a temptation, the Matt Ryan fruit is ripe and waiting to be picked off the tree that is the 2008 NFL Draft. Even though the Lions picked QB-of-the-future hopeful Drew Stanton out of Michigan State last year, the draw of an 'elite' QB is tempting here. Eventually they decide to shift away from the QB position, however, as Stanton went on the IR early last year and saw no playing time. Because the Lions do not know if he will lead them to the promised land, and this upcoming year being his second year, the Lions will give the reigns of their franchise to the 2007 second-round pick-at least for now.
Tempting, but even if available at #15, Millen might
pass on him and address other needs
Running Back- The Lions just cut 2004 first-round pick Kevin Jones. Jones was a boom-or-bust player, and his inconsistency and health problems helped lead to his release. Detroit is currently relying on Tatum Bell to carry the load, along with help from Brian Calhoun - not exactly a stellar combo. However, the value here compared to other need positions is very low. Therefore, the Lions will skip out on taking a Running Back, at least in round one.
Offensive Line- Losing Damien Woody, the veteran of the OL, hurt a lot, especially because of his versatility. Woody could play guard, having done so for much of his career, and tackle, which he did in 2007 at RT. Although he underachieved a little, he was still a catalyst on the line. Starting LT Jeff Backus is solid, as is center Dominic Raiola. The rest, however, are marginal at best. Offensive line is a crucial need for the Lions, one that should have been looked at years earlier when wide receiver after wide receiver was coming off the board in round one.
Defensive Back- As a whole, the Lions defense is exactly that: a hole. After starting 6-2 to start last year, the Lions finished the year 1-7. Such a horrible late-season flop can be attributed to many things, but HORRID defensive back play was high on that list. The Safety position is plugged for the time being, but the Corners on the Lions roster read as follows: Leigh Bodden, Brian Kelly, Stanley Wilson, Keith Smith, Travis Fisher, and Israel Route. Bodden is a lifetime journeyman, Kelly is on his last wheels, and the rest are unheard of.
Other Needs- FB; TE; LE; ROLB
The Pick- With a deep, top-heavy draft at the Offensive Line, especially OT position, the Lions can afford to pass up the opportunity of shoring up the Offensive Line and take one of the premier corners in the draft. Although a little short and lacks the coverage skills of some of the other corners in the draft, the Lions cannot pass up one of the three first-round talents at CB (along with his return skills) and take Leodis McKelvin, CB from Troy.
The Lions get yonunger and better at CB
while also adding a dynamite return threat
in Leodis McKelvin
BTSC Mock Draft Team Selections
#1 - Miami Dolphins, Darren Mcfadden
#2 - St. Louis Rams, Chris Long
#3 - Atlanta Falcons, Sedrick Ellis
#4 - Oakland Raiders, Vernon Gholston
#5 - Kansas City Chiefs, Jake Long
#6 - New York Jets, Glen Dorsey
#7 - New England Patriots, Dominique Rodger-Cromartie
#8 - Baltimore Ravens, Jerod Mayo
#9 - Cincinnati Bengals, Keith Rivers
#10 - New Orleans Saints, Aqib Talib
#11 - Buffalo Bills, Malcom Kelly
#12 - Denver Broncos, Ryan Clady
#13 - Carolina Panthers, Chris Williams
#15 - Chicago Bears, Brandon Albert