2011 Detroit Lions NFL Draft Needs
The Detroit Lions are on the clock with the 13th overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. Let’s take a look at their biggest needs and how those needs might be addressed on draft day.
1. Cornerback: You won’t be able to wipe the smile off the face of general manager Martin Mayhew (a former NFL cornerback) if the Lions can land Nebraska cornerback Prince Amukamara with the 13th overall selection. Amukamara has flown a little bit under the radar because of all the talk surrounding LSU corner Patrick Peterson, but he is a future Pro Bowler in my opinion. We’re talking about a corner with good size (6’0″, 206 lbs) and top-end speed. He also has the instincts to quickly emerge into one of the premier cover corners in the league. The Lions showed improvement against the pass in 2010, holding opponents to 217.8 yards per game through the air. Add Amukamara to a defensive backfield which already boasts cornerback Chris Houston and the Lions should get even better. If Detroit decides to go another direction in the first round, it may have an opportunity to get a prospect like Texas’ Aaron Williams in round two. I have him rated as the top free safety in the class. He likely wouldn’t make the impact of Amukamara but would still benefit the Detroit secondary.
2. Linebacker: Linebacker is a major need area for the Lions but it may be a reach for them to spend their top pick on one unless Texas A&M outside linebacker Von Miller were to surprisingly fall. It is a more likely scenario that the Lions will look to take a linebacker in the second round. At that stage of the game, North Carolina’s Bruce Carter would be a good fit.
3. Offensive Line: Quarterback Matthew Stafford has been injured in each of his first two seasons. The Lions have a lot of money wrapped up in him and know they must protect him better to give their investment the best chance of paying off. Detroit could use upgrades at both guard and tackle but tackle is the spot it will look to potentially address in the first round. The Lions could go with USC’s Tyron Smith if he were to fall and should definitely be in the running for Boston College’s Anthony Castonzo. If Detroit chooses to fill this need later, they would have a shot at Baylor guard Danny Watkins in the second round and Florida tackle Marcus Gilbert in the third.
4. Running Back: The Lions drafted versatile running back Jahvid Best last season but could use more of a downhill runner to pair with him. Kansas State running back Daniel Thomas could be an option in the third round. He has good size at just over 6-foot tall and 230 pounds. Thomas comes from a good family and is coming off the second-most rushing yards ever by a Kansas State running back (1,585). He does not have breakaway speed but that’s what Best is for.
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