May

2

Outlook on the Lions Following Last Weekend’s Draft

Posted by Shavon Walker under 2009 NFL Draft, Detroit Lions 

Lions Stafford Football
The 2009 NFL Draft has come and gone. The Lions front office and coaching staff seem to pleased with this year’s draft outcome.

Yes they could have filled a few more needs, most notably added an OT with one of the earlier picks or a MLB to anchor that all important position between OLBs Ernie Sims and Lion newcomer Julian Peterson.

Every pick filled a need no matter how you look at it. You can argue that some needs were more of a priority then others but at the end of the day, Martin Mayhew, Tom Lewand, and Coach Schwartz got the players “they” wanted and didn’t make the same mistakes Millen did by going with the flashy picks rather
than team picks.

Here’s an outlook on where you should expect these group of Lion draftees to be several year’s from now.

Class of 2009

MATTHEW STAFFORD – 1st Overall Pick

-While many wanted Aaron Curry with this pick, Mayhew instead went offense and filled the most important position in all of football. No one knows how Stafford will turn out, but I expect him to settle in after year 1 with Detroit once they establish a good offensive line hopefully in next year’s draft.

It’ll be a learning curve no question about it, but talking to Stafford and hearing his views as the top pick, he has said all the right things. But that doesn’t always translate to being under center in a real time game.

But at the end, I see Stafford as having all the tools needed to be a successful quarterback in this league. Watching continuous videos from Matt’s high school days to his final year at the University of Georgia, Stafford definitely fits in what Linehan’s previous offenses have shown. An all out gun it down the field with a power running game.

OUTLOOK:

Starter by year 2, Pro Bowl caliber year 3.

BRANDON PETTIGREW – 20th Overall Pick

-I for one really like this pick. Yes Michael Oher may have filled a much bigger need, but Pettigrew’s blocking ability is second to none. Assuming Stafford takes over starting duties mid to late season, Pettigrew adds two dimensions to this offense.

His run blocking ability will be a huge factor in 2nd year back Kevin Smith’s development into taking that next step and being a top tier running back in this league while his pass blocking and pass catching abilities will give that young offense some much needed help in the trenches and adds another big
target to go with Calvin.

I can’t seem to rememer the last time Detroit had a TE threat, good TEs make the offense that much smoother for any QB especially a rookie. Culpepper will also benefit from this as he has always used his tight ends in short passing routes and eventually the big play to the TE.

OUTLOOK:

Starter Day 1, Top 15 TE by the end of year 2.


LOUIS DELMAS – 33rd Overall Pick

-As stated in the Pettgrew pick, the Lions could have filled bigger needs such as adding a MLB like Maualuga or that kid from Ohio State, the Lions instead decided to go safety here and home-state product Louis Delmas.

I love this pick especially watching film of this guy. He absolutely loves to stick his nose in where it doesn’t belong and lay out whatever’s in front of him. Detroit hasn’t had that in year’s. He can be that Kenoy Kennedy Millen thought would work out a few year’s back.

Delmas isn’t the biggest of all guy’s, but he makes up for it with his knack for the ball. This defensive playmaker was everywhere in the first rookie mini-camp. Although he dropped many balls for INTs, the fact that he was able to make the play on the ball and not let the receivers/tight ends catch balls
was most impressive.

OUTLOOK:

Starter Day 1, big hit player who will make some highlight film plays but will also give up the big play here every so often, Top 15 safety by year 3.

DEANDRE LEVY – 76th Overall Pick

-The Lions finally go linebacker but another outside guy? This has to be the most puzzling pick of all even thought the Lions have said they would try him out at middle.

Nothing against DeAndre, as he showed guts in film, but the Lions could have picked up a sure middle linebacker with experience at the position. Levy could turn out to be a pretty decent pick, but he reminds me a lot of Dizon but a much more physical backer.

There isn’t much more to say as Levy’s one of those “we’ll just have to wait and see” type of picks. Hope the kid works out and we wish him all the best, you are in Detroit so anyone could use some luck.

OUTLOOK:

Used for depth year 1, back up LB year 2, may be eventual starter if Lions don’t add another LB.

DERRICK WILLIAMS – 82nd Overall Pick
-This was my favorite pick of the Detroit Lions. It was one of those, knock out 2 needs with one guy. As you all know, being from Big Ten country, I believe we’ve all seen what this kid can do.

Aside from his exceptional return ability, Derrick also makes a great slot receiver that can go the distance at any given play. He reminds me a lot of DeSean Jackson, the first round pick of the Eagles a year ago. His receiving skills may not be as good as DJ’s but the overall athletic ability he brings to this Lion team will go a long ways in the team taking that next step.

With his tremendous on the field speed, he should give Culpepper and Stafford along with that young offense some much needed field position and the offense doesn’t have to go long distances for a score like we’ve seen in year’s past ever since the departure of Eddie Drummond.

OUTLOOK:

Starter at the slot Day 1 unless Lions add another wideout, top 5 returner by year 2.

SAMMIE LEE HILL – 115th Overall Pick

-Finally! The Lions go with a trenches guy and that happens to be Hill out of Stillman. I always love what small school guys bring to the table. They’re the ones that have the most to prove while big name players kind of seem to daze away just because of the name of their University.

Sammie showed flashes of greatness in D1-AA. The big question as we all know is “can he continue that same success at this level”?

He’ll be a project but with Schwartz running this team, I expect him to receive every bit of help a guy can get to be successful in this league. We all know how much a good, big, touch, and physical DT means to a Schwartz defense as we all saw in Tennessee with Albert Haynesworth.

No one is saying Sammie will turn out like Albert but with good tutelage under Schwartz, Sammie Lee Hill may turn heads and be one of those players that stood out when you look back three years from now.

Great value pick.

OUTLOOK:

Rotational player year 1, could eventually ply for starters time by year 3.

AARON BROWN – 192nd Overall Pick

-At this point of the draft, you go after the best player available on your draft board. The Lions do well in this year’s draft with adding speedy players who can breakout the big play.

Brown although wasn’t invited to the combine, had a good showing in the Senior Bowl and individual team workouts. He can be a good compliment to Kevin Smith and should make a good third down back.

OUTLOOK:

Third down back year 1, backup by year 2.

LYDON MURTHA, ZACH FOLLETT, DAN GRONKOWSKI – 7th Round draft picks

-It isn’t common finding starters in round 7, but Schwartz had success with Courtland Finnegan in Tennessee. All three, Murth, Follett, and Gronkowski have the ability to be rotational guys and make this team need A LOT of coaching before they step on the field.

Follett, the LB from Cal, is one of my favorite guys in this draft. He may even surpass third round pick DeAndre Levy for playing when it’s all said and done. He is a physical player up front and will go after the RB like its a piece of cake. His question marks come in the pass-defense area of the ball.

He may not have the best of burners, but with his instinctive play, he gets to the ball and makes the tackle.

Murtha was a good value pick. His huge frame may bring him a roster spot. His development will be crutial being the only offensive line protection the Lions were able to bring in for Stafford’s future. I don’t see him turning out being anything more then maybe a backup early on.

Gronkowski, the TE from Maryland, was also a good value pick at this point. He was projected to go much earlier in Day 2. But the Lions once again, staying true to their board, go with the best player available and added the big 6′5” terrific athlete.

He may even be the better receiver out of the two TEs selected, but his lack of finishing blocks scared teams away which made him a late round pick.

OUTLOOK:

All three guys were VALUE, VALUE, VALUE picks at this point. Being the Lions, you would love to see at least one of these guys earn a roster spot or be able to make a contribution to this team in the upcoming season or beyond.

OVERALL:

I really like what the Lions did in the draft and I would give them anywhere from a C+ to a B+. Every pick was a need and depending on how they turn out, without any of them playing a snap yet, this looks like a pretty decent Class of 2009 Draft Class for the Detroit Lions.


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