Lions 1st Round Draft Preview – calling my shot!!

Tonight, is the Detroit Lions Super Bowl – The NFL Draft. I think the Lions fans enjoy this night/weekend more than most other teams’ fans. Not only because of the lack of success but it brings hope to an otherwise dim outlook, and the Lions have one of the best and most loyal Fanbases in the NFL.

On to the draft and in particular the #3 Overall pick. As I write this there are several rumors concerning the Lions trading out of their current position to anywhere from the #5, #7 and #9 picks. My preference would be to trade and gain some much-needed draft capital. We will evaluate the trade when/if it occurs.

I will say this right up front – I am a huge Isiah Simmons fan. He is unlike any other player we have seen in the NFL, perhaps ever. He can play End, OLB, Safety and if needed he could even play DB, I mean he is faster than Jerry Juedy!! He also brings another factor into the mix – In this age of versatility and roster limits he is 3 extra players on a 53-man roster. I would personally take him at # 3, but my biggest concern is would Coach Patricia use him in a creative fashion?? We have all heard that he does not change his scheme much and most players have a defined role. This would needlessly box in a great athlete. Just my .02

Let us look at a few different scenarios. If the Lions are not able to trade back and stay at #3 conventional wisdom and most prognosticators are projecting CB Jeffrey Okudah to the Lions. I would not be unhappy if it plays out this way. I think Okudah has a chance to be a really good to great CB in the NFL. He has all the measurables and fills a position of need. It may be a bit high for a CB (how many CB’s taken in the top 5 have won a Super Bowl in the last 15 years??).

Derrick Brown at #3 I would not be happy with. Typically, I am a fan of drafting the Big Uglies early and often, however at the #3 spot and the DT position, the player better be the equivalent of Ndamukong Suh or Aaron Donald. Brown is neither. He is a solid DT that is great at stopping the run. His pass rush ability while not great is good. I just feel he does not bring the talent level that coincides with the #3 overall pick.

I am really hoping the Lions trade down and they would potentially have a shot at these same 3 players. The Miami Dolphins are the Wildcard and will steer the Draft into one direction or another. If the Lions stay at #3 I think the pick will be Jeffrey Okudah, if they trade back every option is open to them. It is going to be fun either way!