In the draft's first day, the Detroit Lions made their defensive line potentially the best in the entire league
-- at least until Tampa Bay added defensive ends Adrian Clayborn (Iowa) and Da’Quan
Bowers (Clemson).
On Saturday, the Lions attempted to do the same with their
offensive skill positions by adding explosive receiver from Boise State, Titus Young,
and the quick-footed and powerful Illinois RB Mikel Leshoure.
While I had other receivers rated above Young still on my board (namely, eventual Green
Bay Packer second round pick Randall Cobb), Young still graded out as a second round
pick and fits exactly what the Lions need. He is a dangerous receiver in
the slot that has good hands and has the ability to take it the distance every
time he is in space. His most immediate value will likely be on
special teams, as he could quickly become one of the more apt return men in the league on
both punts and kickoffs.
I have been saying since January that the value in this draft would be in
the middle of the second round, so it was no surprise to me that Detroit was
willing to trade up from their third round pick to take LeShoure. He was
my No. 2 rated RB and No. 25 overall player on my Lions draft board, thus an outstanding
value at pick 57. He will take on the role of feature
back, as he is much better equipped to handle the ball between the tackles
inside than Jahvid Best, who suffered from lingering foot injuries during his rookie
campaign.
Best will now be able to play his more natural role of utility
threat, as Linehan will line him up all over the field to create defensive
mismatches.
Lions fans looking for defensive back seven players: take heart. The team has yet
to enter the free agency period, where you can now expect to see them address needs at linebacker and cornerback. Mayhew and Co. have stayed
true to their board, and have done an outstanding job of preparing the Lions for
the future. Detroit will certainly be on everyone’s short list of teams
that have scored big on days one and two, alongside the likes of Washington and
Tampa Bay.