The problem with the upcoming draft class...

I haven't made any projections yet. It's far too early, and I want to see this class tested, but this has been a disappointing draft class to say the least. Week by week, I have watched player after player fall short of their hype/expectations that they might be an impact player in the NFL. Some sites list Michael Johnson as a top prospect, and as I watch him, he's not it the same area code as the QB. He doesn't move well, yet he has great size to be a big time pass rusher. As far as pass blockers are concerned, there are question marks with each of them. Andre Smith gets beat by speed rushers, and has help on his left side, usually with a TE. He's a big mauler, and he sets well at times, but he's getting beat by college players that I'm seeing, such as Kentucky's Jeremy Jarmon; a nice player but not a pure pass rusher. The guy who popped out watching Alabama was running back Glen Coffey. Like Smith, he's a JR, and made some big runs in the Kentucky game a few weeks ago. Defensively, S Rashad Johnson popped out as a nice player in the Tide backfield.

Another player who is popping out of the screen is PSU's Derrick Williams. As I watch for players who would be a good fit for the Detroit Lions, he fits the bill well. He's got a nice burst, and does a great job returning kicks. He doesn't run alot of pro style routes, he's very involved in their reverse game and usually runs crossing routes. I'd like to see his 40 times, his hands are good enough.

All and all, it's been a disappointing class, though. The Lions need for some gems to start coming from the depths. They have too many picks for this to be a bad class.

Looking forward to 2009 draft...

With the trade of Roy Williams to the Dallas Cowboys, the Lions now look forward to the 2009 draft, where they will be in a great position to draft. Not only will they add the Dallas picks to their personal haul, but they should garner at least 3 compensatory picks from free agency in 2008. This would net them 13 picks, with five coming in the first three rounds. So far in my pre-draft studies, I have noticed that the strength of the draft will be on the offensive line, defensive linebacking, and QB is looking deeper if a talented group of Jr's/eligible sophomores like Matt Stafford and Chad Bradford come out. As far the top pick, whereever the Lions might fall; they're looking at a top 5 pick, and they need to find out if they have their QB of the future on the roster. If they don't, they need to look at the two young QB's, and groom them for the future. Otherwise, there are three top left tackles coming out this year that will probably take their attention. The best of the lot is Eugene Monroe of Virginia. Extremely fleet afoot, he reminds me of Lomas Brown when he came out of Florida. He might be a better run blocker, and is very similar also to Joe Thomas, minus the knee issues. Other top left bookends include Michael Oher of OlMiss, and Andre Smith of Alabama. Michael Oher's a nice story, but I'd be reticent to select him with that high of a pick. Smith might have weight issues, and might have to move to the right side in the NFL. He might have problems with speedier rushers.