Grading Detroit Lions GM Martin Mayhew’s draft choices

2009

Jan 25, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Team Irvin quarterback Matthew Stafford of the Detroit Lions (9) throws a pass under pressure from Team Carter defensive end Mario Williams of the Buffalo Bills (94) in the 2015 Pro Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Matthew Stafford: 1st round, 1st overall pick, University of Georgia
As far as Stafford goes, there are two sides to the story. You either love him or you hate him. The truth is after the 2008 season the Lions were in dire need of a quarterback. The 2009 NFL Draft did not offer much out side of Matthew Stafford unless you are a big Curtis Painter fan. That does not mean the Lions settled on a quarterback. In my opinion if Stafford were to come out the next year he still would have went #1 overall.

In Stafford’s 6 years in the league he has smashed every Detroit Lions passing record and even a few NFL records including becoming the fastest quarterback to 20,000 yards in history. Stafford was and still is the best option for the Lions. Mayhew made the right decision here. The crazy part is, Stafford has not peaked yet.

Grade:4, Man with a future

Brandon Pettigrew: 1st round, 20th overall pick, Oklahoma State University

Pettigrew was a risky pick. After pleading guilty to a misdemeanor assault and battery charge, Pettigrew’s draft stock took a fall. The Lions decided to make the risky move of trading back into the first round to take the tight end. Pettigrew started off hot. In 2010 he was third in receptions by a tight end and 7th in receiving yards by a tight end. The 2011 season was even better as Pettigrew racked up 777 yards and 6 touchdowns.

Then an epic collapse began. In 2012 Pettigrew became the guy that you would cringe and hope for the best every time he caught the ball. He became lackadaisical. One play that stands out is his “here take the ball” fumble against the Titans. Or his consecutive fumbles against Chicago. The Lions surprised all when they re-signed Pettigrew this offseason. What’s sad is that it resulted in 10 receptions for 70 yards.

Grade: 3 Middle of the road pick

Louis Delmas: 2nd round, 33rd overall pick, Western Michigan University

The thing I used to love about Delmas is the thing I realize now that I don’t miss. Delmas was always 150 MPH. Sometimes it would work out and he would make a play, others he would miss a tackle that would have saved the game. Too much emotion’s and not enough brains. That’s not saying Delmas is incompetent, it’s saying Delmas would just go at a guy and not think about what they might have up their sleeve. Don’t get it? Watch Glover Quin pick off Drew Brees and tell me Delmas would have done the same.

Delmas has had his fair share of injury problems in his career. In fact he miss the remainder of the season for the Dolphins this year with a torn ACL.

Grade: 2, disappointment

DeAndre Levy: 3rd round, 76th overall pick, University of Wisconsin

What a steal. If teams knew then what they know about Levy now, he would have been a 1st round pick. Possibly top 5. Then again he would be playing for Seattle so I’m glad he slipped through the cracks. Levy is quickly becoming a household name and is a big part of why the Lions made the playoffs this season. This is arguably the best pick of the draft for the Lions.

Grade:10, Elite

Derrick Williams: 3rd round, 82nd pick, Penn State. Grade: 2, Out of the league

Sammie Lee Hill: 4th round, 115th pick, Stillman College. Grade: 3

Sammie Lee Hill wasn’t a bad choice. He provided a few years of solid depth for the Lions and got himself paid by the Titans

Aaron Brown: 6th round,192nd pick, TCU. Grade: 0, who the hell is Aaron Brown?

Zack Follett: 7th round, 235th pick, University of California. Grade: 2, Destined for practice squad.

Dan Gronkowski: 7th round, 255th pick, Maryland. Grade: 2, Out of the league

If only he played like his little brother.