GM for a Day: Detroit Lions

The Lions can only go up from an 0-16 2008 campaign. The picks they made during the 2009 NFL Draft will help to start the rebuilding, but there is still alot to do. Matt Stafford will put fans in the seats and help to win games, but paying him $78 million dollars before he plays one second in the NFL is rediculous. Brandon Pettrigrew is a big weapon for Stafford, and Louis Delmas will help to start the rebuilding process for the defense. There were several things that I would have done differently if I were the Lions GM.

First off, instead of Stafford, I would have taken Jason Smith, the Baylor offensive tackle with the 1st overall pick. Look at the Dolphins, in the ’08 draft they took Jake Long who has anchored the offensive line. If the quarterback doesnt have a solid o-line, games will not be won. I then would have traded a 2010 second round pick and the ’09 76th pick (Deandre Levy, OLB, Wisconsin) to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for Tampa’s 2009 1st round pick. I would have drafted QB Josh Freeman from Kansas State. Therefore, in the 1st round two of the Lion’s biggest needs are taken care of.

I agree with the 2nd round pick of Louis Delmas (Safety, Western Michigan) as he will help to anchor the defense. Derrick Williams will improve the return game and provide youth to an already young WR core.

I love the pick of Sammie Lee Hill, a huge defensive lineman who will help to provide youth up front. RB Aaron Brown will provide offensive depth as the Lions had no run game last season.  Lydon Murtha an offensive lineman, will take a few years to develop, but when a team is 0-16 lineman (on both sides of the ball) are always needed.

Finally, I would have packaged the Lions two 7th round picks ( OLB Zach Follet and  TE Dan Gronkowski) for a safety to help to rebuild the defense. Overall, I give the Lions a grade of B- for their draft. They picked up a quarterback, and proven leader in Matt Staffford, along with two targets for him to throw the ball to. They nabbed a running back, which was a position that needed lots of help. However, the two 7th round picks could have been packaged for a defensive player, as I believe that the Lions didn’t do enough on the defensive side of the ball.

Thanks for the views and I look forward to the comments.