Detroit Lions Positional Draft Board And Possible Free Agents.
By Joe Chapp
Detroit Lions off season is beginning to kick in full form and the Lions have several needs such as: Defensive Tackle, Right Tackle, Left Guard, Cornerback and Running Back, obviously the Lions can’t do this all in the draft and with some key free agents on the docket it might save them from drafting a position they could fill in Free Agency compared to the NFL Draft.
Running Back:
Overview: The Lions have said that, Running game was a concern this year and will explore options this off season. Lions rushing game was very bad in 2014 ranking 28th in the run game hurt Detroit analytically Detroit had the worst run game in the NFL. Detroit’s rush offense was the worst rush offense to make the playoffs in 2014 teams like Jacksonville, Minnesota and St.Louis had better run games than the 2014 Detroit Lions.
Free Agency:
Demarco Murray, Knowshon Moreno, Justin Forsett, Ben Tate, Mark Ingram, Ryan Matthews, Shane Vereen and Frank Gore headline the 2015 RB Free Agency class
NFL Draft:
Todd Gurley – Georgia (1st-2nd round), Melvin Gordon – Wisconsin (1st Round), Ameer Abdullah – Nebraska (2nd Round), Tevin Coleman – Indiana (2nd Round), Duke Johnson – Miami (2nd Round), Jay Ajayi – Boise State (2nd Round) T.J Yeldon – Alabama (2nd to 3rd round), David Cobb – Minnesota (3-4 Round), Jeremy Langford – Michigan State (3rd-4th round) headline the 2015 NFL Draft RB class.
Conclusion:
The NFL Draft is where I would look for a RB, In the draft they’re younger and cheaper than Free Agent NFL Running backs that’s the only thing that really matters. Obviously the proven track record isn’t there, but you could say every player is a play away from being injured the sad reality in the NFL.
EDGE: NFL Draft Running Backs
Detroit Lions
Right Tackle:
Overview:
Last year, Right tackle proved to be the Lions weakest position after injuries to LaAdrian Waddle and Corey Hilliard the Lions and the Lions were stuck with an UDFA tackle in Cornelius Lucas which was a key reason the Lions finished 4th in sacks with 45 and maybe a reason the running game was as awful as it was in 2014.
Free Agency:
Jason Fox, Doug Free, Bryan Bulaga, Michael Roos, Byron Bell headline the Tackles in 2015 Free Agency.
NFL Draft:
Andrus Peat – Stanford (1st Round), T.J Clemmings – Pittsburgh (1st round), La’el Collins – LSU (1st Round), Jake Fisher – Oregon (2nd to 3rd round pick), Cameron Irving – Florida State (1st Round), Ereck Flowers – Miami (1st Round)
Conclusion:
Without a doubt, NFL Draft is the way to go much better talent, more upside and younger not to mention the person headlining the 2015 FA Tackles is Bryan Bulaga hasn’t played a full sixteen game season since 2010.
EDGE: NFL Draft
Left Guard:
Overview:
The aging Rob Sims wasn’t effective time to get some new blood in an Offensive line that badly needs it.
Free Agents:
Clint Boling , James Brewer ,James Carpenter, Daryn Colledge ,Willie Colon, Dan Connolly ,Vladimir Ducasse ,Orlando Franklin, Denver Broncos Mike Iupati, John Jerry, Mike Johnson and Davin Joseph headline the 2015 NFL Free Agent Left Guard class.
NFL Draft:
A.J Cann – South Carolina (2nd Round), Tre Jackson (2nd Round), Arie Kouandjio – Alabama (2nd Round) headline the 2015 NFL Draft Guards.
Conclusion:
Money will be spent, but guard in Free Agency is the way to go a lot of unknowns in the draft, however Jackson and Kouandijo look good, but my money is on the Free Agent class.
EDGE: Free Agents
Defensive Tackle:
Overview:
It’s simple have to sign Suh or Fairley, but the Lions only have on active DT on their roster in Caraun Reid the need is there for defensive tackle, but the NFL draft has some underrated talent. However, Lions main focus is Suh then they should know everything they need to know.
Free Agents:
C.J. Mosley, Jared Odrick, Stephen Paea, Corey Peters, Ryan Pickett, Ahtyba Rubin, Pat Sims, Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley three are Detroit Lions and these headline the 2015 NFL Free Agent defensive tackle class.
NFL Draft:
Leonard Williams – USC (1st Round), Eddie Goldman – Florida State (1st Round), Danny Shelton – Washington (1st Round), Michael Bennett – Ohio State (2nd Round), Malcolm Brown – Texas (1st or 2nd round)
Conclusion:
Lions might draft one defensive tackle, but their eyes our set on two or three of those defensive tackles mainly Suh.
EDGE: Free Agency
Cornerback:
Overview:
Detroit was badly limited in the secondary, the rash of season ending injuries to Nevin Lawson and Bill Bentley hurt Detroit further into the Lions season as they approached the playoffs. Detroit’s needs for a corner is indeed big especially with Rashean Mathis getting up there in age.
Free Agents:
Byron Maxwell, Robert McClain, Brice McCain, Sterling Moore, Terence Newman, Darrelle Revis, (2015 team option) Ike Taylor, Walter Thurmond, Charles Tillman and Tramon Williams headline the NFL Free Agents
NFL Draft:
Trae Waynes – Michigan State (1st Round), Marcus Peters – Washington (1st Round), Ifo Ekpre-Olomu – Oregon (1st and 2nd Round), P.J Williams – Florida State (1st or 2nd Round), Josh Shaw – USC (3rd Round) headline the NFL Draft Cornerback class.
Conclusion:
Free Agency is the way to go for an imitate solid impact, drafting a Corner you basically have to give him a year to develop in most cases. Byron Maxwell would be a cheap and perfect option for Detroit.
EDGE: Free Agents