Grading Detroit Lions GM Martin Mayhew’s draft choices

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2012

Dec 28, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; Detroit Lions offensive tackle Riley Reiff (71) during the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Green Bay won 30-20. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Riley Reiff, 1st round, 23rd pick, Iowa

Reiff has worked out quite well thus far. Taking over the left tackle position after Jeff Backus retired put a lot of pressure on Reiff and he handled it like a 1st round pick should. Where Reiff might play on the line next season has been debated as of late. This writer believes he should stay right where has performed well.

Grade: 4, A man with a future

Ryan Broyles: 2nd round, 54th pick, Oklahoma

The jury is still out on Ryan Broyles. When healthy and contributing he is a great asset to the Lions. However those days have been few and far between. Broyles has suffered a season ending injury every year of his career, with the exception of this year. Mainly because he did not play.

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  • Grade: 2, Disappointment 

    Bill Bentley: 3rd round, 85th pick, Louisiana-Lafayette

    With little to go on, the belief is still there for Bill Bentley. The corner has yet to play a full season, yet before his injury this season he was slated to be the starting nickel corner. The one issue he may have in his career is that nobody seemed to know he was gone.

    Grade: 3, Middle of the road pick

    Ronnell Lewis: 4th round, 125th pick, Oklahoma. 

    Drunken fight in a bar, arrest, gone. That sums up Lewis’s career.

    Grade: 1 Waste Pick

    Tahir Whitehead: 5th round, 138th pick, Temple

    There was just something about Tahir Whitehead. From day 1 you got the feeling that Tahir would contribute in a big way someday. The jump he made from special teams MVP to the future of the Lions linebacking core cannot be ignored. With the belief that Tulloch will return to the Lions next season, I feel Whitehead will only benefit from a little more tutelage. in 2016 watch out.

    Grade: 4, A man with a future

    Chris Greenwood: 5th, 148th pick, Albion 

    This one disappoints me the most. I had such high hopes for Greenwood and he never materialized into anything better than a camp darling.

    Grade: 2, Disappointment

    Jonte Green: 6th round, 196th pick, New Mexico State. Grade: 1, Wasted pick

    Travis Lewis: 7th round, 223rd pick, Oklahoma

    I don’t expect Travis Lewis to be anything better than a great special teams player and I’m just fine with that. Lewis could probably contribute more on another team. But as for now he is third on depth chart at middle linebacker.

    Grade: 3, Middle of the road pick