Recap of Lions draft Day One

The Lions wanted to draft (in no particular order) a DE, a LB, a RB and an OT. For their first pick I wrote twelve names on a sheet of paper and started

The Lions wanted to draft (in no particular order) a DE, a LB, a RB and an OT. For their first pick I wrote twelve names on a sheet of paper and started scratching them off as they were picked ahead of the Lions. Ellis, Harvey, Rivers, Mayo all get crossed off. At this point Lions OC Jim Colletto is doing cartwheels because he knows his offensive unit will land the first pick. Clady, Stewart and Williams are all picked right in front of the Lions. That’s OK. It’s no time to panic. There are still several good players on the board. The Lions then opted to trade down two picks, resulting in a much better 3rd round pick and the first pick in the fifth round.. Excellent trade. Even more so when 2 picks later the Lions picked Gosder Cherilus, a stud right tackle from Boston College . They got a man they wanted and extra draft pick to boot.

Most fans thought Otah was on the Lions short list. Though Otah is powerful, Cherilus is faster. If there is one thing the Lions like it is strong AND fast. Something else, it was repeated several times that Gosder has something of a mean streak. Mean is good.

We had a conference call with the football coach from Boston College and (besides affirming that Gosder undergoes a personality change when he steps on a football field) he said that Gosder wanted to come out last year. He told Gosder that if he played one more year in college he would almost certainly be a first round pick. (Nice call, way to go coach.)

The second round was nothing like the first round. The Lions drafted at 15 again. Instead of watching helplessly while all the players they like are picked, only two players are picked that the Lions like (Lofton and Merling). With Connor, Adibi and Groves on the board, the Lions were about to draft a very good LB. The Lions picked Jordon Dizon from Colorado . The Lions liked Dizon when they brought him to Allen Park for an interview. They praised his intensity. They praised his instincts. A young Teddy Bruschi. They really liked his 463 carreer tackles. “He’s just everywhere on the field. He’s always finding the ball carrier.” He may not start at middle linebacker in September, but he should get there soon.

The Lions have filled two positions of need with two very good players. The table is set for the third round. Stay tuned.