Draft Grade: Detroit Lions
Notable Picks
10th Overall: TE Eric Ebron (North Carolina)
Ebron is big (6’ 4”, 250 lbs.) and fast for his size (4.56 second forty yard dash). He was clearly the best tight end in this draft class and he provides Stafford with another weapon to throw to.
40th Overall: OLB Kyle Van Noy (BYU)
Van Noy is a good all-around linebacker, but he doesn’t fill any serious need for the Lions: Deandre Levy is just 27 years old and played well in 2013 at the strongside linebacker position, which is Van Noy’s best fit. While he may not be an immediate starter or the most exciting player to watch, Van Noy gives the Lions excellent depth for their talented front 7 on defense.
76th Overall: C Travis Swanson (Arkansas)
At 35-years-old, incumbent Detroit center Dominic Raiola is nearing the end of his career. His play was still solid in 2013, so he should start in 2014 as well. This could be his last season, and if it’s not his play is sure to eventually deteriorate with age, so expect Swanson to man the position in 2015 and beyond.
136th Overall: DE Larry Webster (Bloomsburg)
With Suh terrorizing quarterbacks from the inside the line and 2013 first round pick Ezekiel Ansah showing himself to also be a fine pass rusher, the Lions already have a staple of talented pass rushers. However, with Willie Young leaving in the offseason, the Lions could use an edge rusher opposite Ansah. With some development, Webster can be that guy.
Final Grade: C-
The Lions did add a lot of talent this offseason. With the unstoppable Calvin Johnson and above average starters at the skill positions in running backs Reggie Bush and Joique Bell and receivers Golden Tate and now Eric Ebron (technically a tight end, but he often lines up in the slot and is much more a receiver than a blocker. Think Jimmy Graham), Stafford has all the weapons he needs to get elite production out of this offense.
But the Lions refused to address their area of greatest need: the cornerback corps. The Lions’ were one of the worst teams in 2013 when it came to defending the pass, and Darius Slay, Chris Houston, and Dwight Bentley are still penciled in as the team’s starting corners. Barring an astounding rookie season from fourth round selection Nevin Lawson, they can expect more of the same poor performance against opposing receivers in 2014.
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