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The NFL Draft Countdown is where we take a closer look at an NFL franchise to see what its transactions have been and what its needs are.
Franchise
- Draft Position: 2
- 2009 Season Result: 2-14 (4th in NFC North; Missed Playoffs)
- 2009 Head Coach: Jim Schwartz
- 2010 Head Coach: Jim Schwartz (2-14; 0-0)
Key Transactions
- WR Nate Burleson (from SEA)
- DE Kyle Vanden Bosch (from TEN)
- LB Larry Foote (to PIT)
- CB Philip Buchanon (to WAS)
Draft Picks
- 1-2
- 2-2
- 3-2
- 4-2
- 5-2
- 7-7
- 7-48 (Mr. Irrelevant)
Analysis & Outlook
On the bright side of things, the Detroit Lions did win two more games than the year before. Other than that, there’s not much to be shiny happy about. The offense is going to come along as QB Matt Stafford develops, but the defense is a serious area of concern. The Lions ranked dead last in most categories and even allowed a dismal 31 points per game!
The Lions will definitely need to shore up their defense. They added DE Kyle Vanden Bosch but also lost LB Larry Foote. They will need a stout D-Lineman and a big LB to help control the point of attack. In the secondary, they’ll have to secure the edges better at CB.
On offense, the Lions need to free up WR Calvin Johnson with more weapons that opponents have to account for. In addition, the O-Line could use some more depth and quality.
In the first round, I think it’s imperative that the Lions draft one of the two top DT prospects, Ndamukong Suh or Gerald McCoy. I like Suh better but the Lions desperately need help on the D-Line. In the second round, they can add a LB in the form of Brandon Spikes, Sean Lee or Daryl Washington, a CB like Devin McCourty or Patrick Robinson, or a T like Rodger Saffold or Charles Brown. There are a lot of value plays in the first five rounds and the Lions will have to diligently follow their board. As for their final pick, I hope they pick punter Zoltan Mesko :o)
The Lions are moving forward but the defense has to improve for them to stand a chance. They play in a division with offensive powerhouses Minnesota and Green Bay, and must improve to not get butchered by teams like that.