Detroit Lions 2009 NFL Draft Needs

The 2008 Detroit Lions became the first team in NFL history to finish a season 0-16 and just the second team to finish a season without a win. After a season like that, there are a lot of places the Lions could go with their first overall pick. Jimmy Boyd takes a look at the Lions most pressing needs, likely day one targets, and recent draft track record in this 2009 draft preview.

Biggest Draft Needs – The Lions are basically starting from square one, but they should be able to land some quality players with all the picks they have in this year’s draft. The Lions have the first overall selection and they also pick up an additional first, third, and sixth round pick from Dallas in the Roy Williams deal. Expect the Lions to go after a little bit of everything in this draft with quarterback as their most pressing need. The Lions will look to get better on the offensive line and in the defensive front seven immediately as well.

Likely Day 1 Targets – I expect the Lions to take either USC’s Mark Sanchez or Georgia’s Matthew Stafford with the first overall pick in the draft and most experts feel it will be Stafford. He played in a pro style system at Georgia for three seasons and has the strongest arm in the draft. The tools are there, but Stafford didn’t put it all together at Georgia and I’m not sure he will be able to in the pros.

With their second pick in the first round, I expect the Lions to go with an offensive lineman like Mississippi tackle Michael Oher.  Oher has tons of potential to be a strong tackle in the NFL for years to come. Teams love his size (6′5”, 318 pounds) and his strength. I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up as the best tackle out of this class. That’s the kind of upside he has.

In round two, the Lions could look to go with the best available defensive front seven player and they could get a guy like Ohio State linebacker James Laurenaitis with this pick. He could end up being a steal in the second round as he is projected by most experts as the second best inside linebacker in this class. He was a warrior at Ohio State and as a sure a tackler as there was in college football last year.

Recent Draft Track Record - There are many words to describe Detroit’s recent drafts and most of them aren’t positive. Most Detroit Lions fans are glad to see the Matt Millen era come to an end. Millen struggled to pinpoint talent with Detroit’s many early picks. Wide receiver Calvin Johnson, linebacker Ernie Sims, wide receiver Roy Williams, and offensive tackle Jeff Backus justified their status, but Millen will be remembered for such travesties as QB Joey Harrington, wide receiver Charles Rogers, and wide receiver Mike Williams. Let’s see what Martin Mayhew can do.

Make sure you’re doing your NFL betting on Jimmy Boyd’s NFL picks this season for consistent winners against the NFL spreads.

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