Detroit Lions 2014 NFL Draft: Addressing the Needs in the Secondary

May 8, 2014; New York, NY, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and Detroit Lions former running back Barry Sanders introduce tight end Eric Ebron (North Carolina) as the tenth overall pick in the first round of the 2014 NFL draft by the Detroit Lions during the 2014 NFL draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The Detroit Lions used their first round selection in the 2014 NFL draft on North Carolina tight end Eric Ebron, a solid, if not spectacular pick in the minds of many fans and media members. I am sure he will be successful in Honolulu blue and am looking forward to seeing him play. But could a defender have helped them even more?

I will admit, once the Bills selected Sammy Watkins and the Bucs took Mike Evans, I had no idea which way the Lions would go (I had no idea which way they would go before the draft even started). I knew that Ebron was a possibility but with Brandon Pettigrew, Joe Fauria, and Michael Williams in the mix, I didn’t think it was the greatest position of need.

That isn’t to say I’m not excited about Ebron. He’s a big body and he’s going to cause match-up problems for every team the Lions play in 2014 and beyond. He’s a glorified wide receiver so he adds some of the elements that the Lions were looking for in Watkins and Evans.

My concern, like most people, is the secondary. The Lions have needed to shore up the back end of the defense for as long as I’ve been following the team. Nine defensive backs were selected in the first round. I don’t know if it is a record, but that’s a lot of DBs. With all of these players already off the board after the first, the second round options at the position were very limited.

The selection of  BYU linebacker Kyle Van Noy was a solid pick for the Lions in the second round. The Lions were pretty interested in him all along and he will add good depth to the linebacking corps.

I think the Lions desperately needed a safety but failed to select one in any round. Even after drafting CB Nevin Lawson in the 4th round, the Lions will have to go with what they have to add another player after training camp cuts.

The selection of  BYU linebacker Kyle Van Noy was a solid pick for the Lions in the second round. The Lions were pretty interested in him all along and he will add good depth to the linebacking corps.