2016 Detroit Lions NFL Draft

Round # 1 Pick # 16

Taylor Decker OT Ohio State

Analysis:
Decker becomes a day one starter at right tackle. He is a better athlete than Riley Reiff but needs to develop as pass protector.

Stats:
54 games 42 starts

Testing
6070 310 5.23 22 29 805 7.7 4.76

Reiff
6056 313 5.16 23 26.5 802 7.87 4.75

Round # 2 Pick #46

A'Shawn Robinson DT Alabama

Analysis:
Robinson is big guy who just turned 21. A first team All-America at the National Champions. I thought he was a better fit at 5 tech in 3-4. He will play the 3 tech in Detroit.

Stats:
42 games 30 starts 133 tackles 22 TFL 9 sacks 5 PBU

Testing:
6035 307 5.2 22 26 802 7.8 4.74

Round # 3 Pick #95

Graham Glasgow C Michigan

Analysis:
Tall guy, Can play center or guard. Will dress on game day. Will push Swanson and back up at guard. Overcame some off the field problems while in Ann Arbor.

Stats:
37 career starts. Former walk-on Shrine Game, Senior Bowl

Testing:
6057 306 5.13 23 25 810 7.63 4.63

Round # 4 Pick # 111

Miles Killebrew S Southern Utah

Analysis:
My favorite guy in this draft. Big and fast. Will strike you. The Lions worked hard on the nickel safety position. He gets the first crack. Will excel on special teams.

Stats:
48 games 45 starts 356 tackles 21 PBU 3 int 4 ff 3 fr Senior Bowl

Testing
6016 219 4.65 4.52 22 38 1007 6.93 4.18

Round # 5 Pick #151

Joe Dahl OG Washington State

Analysis:
Versatile player with good football IQ can play tackle or guard. With Reiff and Warford scheduled to be free agents in 2017 this guy will get a shot to compete a job.

Stats:
34 starts Senior Bowl

Testing:
6041 304 5.18 28 31 901 7.64 4.77


Round # 5 Pick #169
Antwoine Williams LB Georgia Southern

Analysis:
Lions scouted the Ga Southern pro day. Williams got some buzz following the Shrine game. Has size to play inside but lacks speed.

Stats:
49 games 31 starts 227 tackles 7 sacks 5 FF Shrine Game

Testing:
6026 247 4.8 23 35 910 7.03 4.58

Round # 6 Pick #191

Jake Rudock QB Michigan

Analysis:
Lions made the rounds looking for a developmental QB. They settled with on Rudock. Completed 64% of passes at Michigan. Better athlete than given credit for. Could be a reliable back up down the line.

Stats:
38 Starts 666/1080/27 7836 54 td Shrine Game

Testing:
6026 207 4.88  29 903 4.31 7.06

Round # 6 Pick #202

Anthony Zettel DE Penn State

Analysis:
A good depth guy. Can play on run downs at end and tackles on pass downs. Has a chance to be in the rotation.

Stats:
50 games 23 starts 120 tackles 38 TFL 20 sacks 2 FF 2 Fr Shrine Game

Testing:
6037 277 4.81 28 30.5 904 7.63 4.39

Round # 6 Pick # 210

Jimmy Landes LS Baylor

Analysis:
This means the end to the Don Muhlbach era. A much better athlete than Muhl at this point.,

Stats:
32 games Senior Bowl

Testing:
6014 240 5 4.97 27.5 902 4.38 7.05

Round # 7 Pick # 236

Dwayne Washington RB Washington

Analysis:
Size speed guy will get a shot to compete against Zenner and Ridley.

Stats:
31 games 226 1311 yards 17 td 41 rec 411 yards 3td

Detroit Lions Mock Draft

The Patriots typically have very few players on their draft board. They select players that fit their scheme and can develop into players. If the players are not available or many of the players are there at the pick they trade back.

#16
Ronnie Stanley OT Notre Dame
Jack Conkin OT MSU
Sheldon Rankins Louisville

Stanley starts at LT day one. I think Conklin can as well. Rankins is a 3 tech that can get up field.
I have seen Shaq Lawson here. I don't like him here. He is a strong player but not an edge pass rusher.

#20-#31
Jarran Reed DT Alabama
Taylor Decker OT OSU
Kevin Dodd DE Clemson

If the Lions trade back Reed is an option. High motor who is run stopper. Does have DUI on his record. Decker is not a LT but starts at RT day one. Dodd is rotational player at DE who has potential.


Round # 2
Sua Cravens OLB USC
Jason Spriggs OT Indiana
Emmanuel Ogbah DE Oklahoma State
Jon Bullard DT Florida
Sean Davis S Maryland
Xavien Howard Cb Baylor

Cravens would play the Nickel backer and box safety. Spriggs is LT but needs polish. Ogbah can pass rush but not a run stopper. Bullard is DE on run downs, inside on pass downs. Davis can play CB or Safety. Howard might go int he first round.

Round # 3
Justin Simmons S Boston College
Miles Killebrew S Southern Utah
Caleb Benenoch OG UCLA
Deion Jones OLB LSU
Jeremy Cash S Duke

Simmons is a centerfield guy with range. Killebrew is an option for the nickel backer if Cravens is gone. Benenoch is developmental OT/OG. Jones is a hit and run LB who can play special teams. Cash is a box safety type coming off an injury.

Round # 4
Daniel Braverman WR WMU
Cody Core WR Ole Miss
Hassan Ridgeway DT Texas
Ryan Smith CB NC Central
Kevin Byard S MTSU
Kevin Hogan QB Stanford
Vincent Valentine DT Nebraska
Matt Judon DE GVSU

Braverman is a perfect slot WR. Core is a Size/speed guy. Ridgeway would play in the rotation inside. Smith has size but suspect speed. Byard is centerfielder with range. Hogan would be a developmental long term back up. Valentine is a rotational player inside. Judon is same school edge rusher.

Round # 5
Tyler Matakevich LB Temple
Jeff Driskel QB LA Tech
Tyrus Powell S OSU
Jerrell Adams TE South Carolina
Jon Jones CB Auburn
Key Russell S Notre Dame

Matakevich is my favorite guy in the draft. Makes plays despite not ideal athletic ability. Driskel is an athletic QB. Powell is developmental safety. Adams would fit is the TE rotation. Jones is speed guy. Russell is can play CB and safety coming off an injury.

Round # 6
Darius Jackson RB EMU
Antonio Glover S Ga Southern
Greg Milhouse DT Campbell

Jackson is a workout warrior. Glover can play safety and special teams. Milhouse is a developmental DT.

Round # 7
Josh Woodrum QB Liberty
Blake Countess S Auburn
David Morgan Te UTSA

Woodrum is big guy with a big arm. Countess can play both CB/S Morgan is blocking TE

Detroit Lions draft preview Running backs

Running back is not a big area need or value for the Lions. They could bring a late rounder or UDFA to compete with Winn, Zenner and Ridley for a spot. Here are the RB that the Lions have been linked to in the process.

Tyler Ervin RB SJSU- 5th round grade. A tough runner with three down potential 5097 193 lbs with 4.36 speed.  Will be a NFL player.

Darius Jackson RB EMU- 6th round grade- A fast riser in this draft. 220lbs ran 4.4 at Michigan's pro day. The Lions have met with at least twice. Good receiver with 44 rec last season. Needs some seasoning but has potiential.

Marshon Coprich RB Illinois State UDFA- 5080 200 lbs 4.4 speed. Good prospect but has an arrest in 2015. Lions interviewed him at his pro day.

Brandon Wilds RB South Carolina UDFA-6004 220 4.6 speed. Grinder who can run between the tackles. Could make a practice squad and get a season call up.

Detroit Lions draft Preview QB

Detroit Lions have stated they will likely bring in a rookie QB from this years crop. I think the could draft a prospect on the third day or wait for UDRFA to emerge after the draft. Here are the players the Lions have been linked with and my evaluation:

Obviously, Carson Weenz, Jared Goff, Paxton Lynch and Connor Cook will be gone. Dak Prescott is off their board.

Brandon Allen QB Arkansas- 3rd round grade. The Lions met with him at his pro day. Needs a couple of years to sit before he is ready to play. Probably to rich for Lions n the 3rd round.

Jeff Driskel QB LA Tech- 5th round grade. Lions interviews him at his pro day. He fits the description of a developmental QB. Excellent size and ability. Needs at least three years to prepare but has upside.

Kevin Hogan QB Stanford- 5th round grade. Lions have had multiple interactions with Hogan. a three year starter who improved in his senior year. Good athlete above average arm. Bob Quinn loves smart guys from good schools.

Josh Woodrum QB Liberty-6th round grade. Great size and arm. Comes from a small school and major development. Has tools needs coaching.

Jake Rudock QB Michigan- 7th round grade. Played himself into draft consideration at Michigan., Good athlete with an accurate arm. Needs time to develop but could be a solid back up down the line.

Blake Frohnapfel QB UMASS 7th round grade- Big guy 6055 233 lbs and big arm. Good athlete. Needs a lot of development. Would be a good 3rd guy for awhile.

Detroit Lions draft Preview- Players off the boards

I beleive the Detroit lions led by the ownership of Martha Firestone Ford and Shelia Ford Hamp will take many players off the draft board because of character red flags. It will be interesting how they handle DUI arrests. Players like Jarran Reed, Tyler Boyd. Karl Joseph (2/2013) are on that list.

These players I believe will not be on the Lions draft board this April:

DT Robert Nkemdiche Ole Miss
WR Roger Lewis BGSU
DE Noah Spence EKU
QB Dak Prescott Mississippi State
DT Chris Jones Mississippi State
QB Trevone Boykin TCU
WR Jalin Marshall OSU
RB Marshaun Coprich Illinois State
WR DeMarcus Robinson Florida
DE Alex McAllister Florida
DE Shawn Oakman Baylor
LB Curt Maggitt Tennessee
DT Adolphus Washington OSU
TE Tyler Higbee WKU
RB Wendall Smallwood WVU
RB Shad Thornton NC State
WR Leonte Carroo Rutgers
WR Tyler Boyd Pitt
WR DE'Runnya Wilson Southern Miss
WR MacGarrett Kings MSU
TE Ty Flourney-Smith Alabama
OT Alex Lewis Nebraska
DT Darius Latham Indiana
DE DJ Pettway Alabama
LB Dillion Lee Alabama
LB Antonio Morrison Florida
S Karl Jospeh WVU
CB Darryl Worley WVU
CB Cyrus Jones Alabama
S Jalen Mills LSU
CB Lafayette Pitts Pitt
DT Jarran Reed Alabama
CB Rashard Robinson LSU

Detroit Lions at Pro Days and visits as of April 26

In a big change, The Lions have been active on the pro day circuit this March and April.

Here are some of the places the Lions have sent representatives:

Nebraska (D-Line) Met with Vincent Valentine
Auburn (D-backs) met with Jon Jones and Blake Countess
Minnesota
Texas Tech (O-Line)
Ohio State met with Tyrus Powell
Marshall (RB)
Oregon
Mississippi State
Illinois
Northwestern
Clemson (Newmark)
Wisconsin (LB)
Oklahoma
Alabama (Dline)
Kentucky
Sacramento State
Cincinnati (WR) Met with Johnny Holton
Rutgers Met with LB Quintin Gause
LSU (O-Line)
Toledo (DB)
UCLA
Georgia (DLine)
MSU
Baylor
Boston College met with S Justin Simmons
San Jose State (Jim Bob Cooter) RB Tyler Ervin
Stanford (Jim Bob Cooter) Te Austin Hooper
Cal (Jim Bob Cooter) Worked out WR Trevor Davis
Michigan (D Backs) Met with LB Desmond Morgan, QB Jake Rudock And EMU RB Darius Jackson
LA Tech (D-Line) Vernon Butler, Jeff Driskel
Northern Iowa (D-Back)
Texas (D-Line)
Kansas State (OLine)
Samford (Dbacks)
Illinois State (RB) Marshaun Coprich
Florida (Dline) Jon Bullard
Temple (DBacks)
UMASS QB Blake Frohnappel
USC LB Sua Cravens
Houston
Texas San Antonio (TE) David Morgan
Texas State
Ole Miss (Jim Bob Cooter, Lance Newmark) LaQuan Treadwell and CJ Johnson
BYU (OLINE) OG Ryker Mathews
North Carolina Central (DBacks) Ryan Smith
Florida State
South Carolina (RB) (TE) Brandon Wilds, Jerrell Adams
Miami
Maryland (Dbacks) Sean Davis
Notre Dame (Quinn, Caldwell, Prince, Williams) Stanley, Martin
Florida Atlantic DT Trevon Coley
Boise State (Bob Quinn)
Liberty (QB) Josh Woodrum
West Virginia (DBacks) Karl Joseph
Texas A&M (Dbacks) Brandon Williams
Georgia Southern (DBacks) Antonio Glover
NC State (DBacks)
Indiana
Southern Utah (Dbacks)
MTSU (Dbacks) Kevin Byard

Visits/Workouts
QB Jake Rudock Michigan
QB Kevin Hogan Stanford
QB Cody Kessler USC

RB Darius Jackson EMU

OC Jack Allen MSU
OG Alex  Huettel BGSU
OG Donovan Clark MSU
OT Jack Conklin MSU
OT Jason Spriggs Indiana
OT Caleb Benenoch UCLA
OT Jerrell Hawkins LSU
OT Shonn Coleman Auburn
OT Germain Ofedi Texas A&M
OT Taylor Decker OSU
OT Chase Farris OSU
OT David Hedelin Purdue
OT Alex Lewis Nebraska
OT Clay DeBord Eastern Washington

WR Corey Coleman Baylor
WR Aaron Burbridge MSU
WR Jay Lee Baylor

TE Adam Fuehne Southern Illinois
TE Ryan O'Malley Penn

DT Greg Milhouse Campbell
DT Jarran Reed Alabama
DT Vernon Butler La Tech
DT Antawn Robinson Alabama
DT Jon Bullard Florida

DE Emmanuel Ogbah Oklahoma State
DE Shaq Lawson Clemson
DE Kevin Dodd Clemson

LB Sua Cravens USC
LB Jordan Jenkins UGA
LB Deion Jones LSU
LB Lamar Louis LSU

CB Kendall Fuller Va Tech
CB Sean Davis Maryland
CB Xavien Howard Baylor
CB Eli Apple Ohio State
CB Anthony Brown Purdue
CB Mackensie Alexander Clemson
CB Ryan Smith NCC
CB Daryl Worley WVU
CB Taz Calhoun Mississippi State

S Jayron Kearse Clemson
S Justin Simmons Boston College
S  Vonn Bell Ohio State
S Sean Davis Maryland
S TJ Green Clemson
$ Key Russell Notre Dame
S Sharrod Neasman FAU
S KJ Dillion WVU

P Taylor Symmank Texas Tech
LS Garrett Griffin Air Force

Pro Day Meetings
QB Josh Woodrum Liberty
QB Blake Florhappel UMASS
QB Jeff Driskel La Tech
QB Brandon Allen Arkansas
RB Maurice Coprisch Illinois State
RB Tyler Ervin SJSU
RB Brandon Wilds South Carolina
Wr Trevor Davis Cal
WR Johnny Holton Cincinnati
WR LeQuon Treadwell Ole Miss
WR Chris Moore Cincinnati
Te Austin Hooper Stanford
Te Jerrell Adams South Carolina
TE David Morgan UTSA
OT Ronnie Stanley Notre Dame
OC Nick Martin Notre Dame
OG Ryker Mathews BYU

DT Vincent Valentine Nebraska
DE Trevor Coley FAU
DT Andrew Billings Baylor
LB CJ Johnson Ole Miss
LB Desmond Morgan Michigan
LB Quetin Gause Rutgers
CB Brandon Williams Texas A&M
CB Jon Jones Auburn
S Blake Countess Auburn
S Tyrus Powell Ohio State
S Antonio Glover Ga Southern
S Karl Joseph WVU
S Kevin Byard MTSU

Combine/All-star game Meetings
WR Brandon Addison Oregon
LB Benquez Brown Miss State
S Jeremy Cash Duke
OG Joe Dahl Wash State
WR Josh Dotcston TCU
DE Matt Judon GVSU
DE Luther Maddy Va Tech
LB Jaylon Smith Notre Dame
DT Robert Ndemkiche Ole Miss
LB Reggie Ragland Alabama
OT Cole Toner Harvard
OG Seb Tretola Arkansas
FB Dan Vitale Northwestern
RB Jon Williams Arkansas
DE Anthony Zettel PSU

Local Workout
LB Joe Bolden Michigan
OC Graham Glasgow Michigan
DE Matt Judon GVSU
S Leviticus Payne Cinn
LB James Ross Michigan
S Jarrod Wilson Michigan
TE Ben McCord CMU

2016 NFL Draft Preview Offensive Tackles

Here is my take on the tackles

My order:
1. Laremy Tunsil Ole Miss 7.5
2. Ronnie Stanley Notre Dame 7.0
3. Jack Conklin MSU 6.8
4. Jason Spriggs Indiana 6.8
5. Taylor Decker OSU 6.5
6. Germaine Ifedi Texas A&M 6.5

Analysis:
Tunsil is a no brainer. Big guy, Moves well. Top Pick

Stanley love his tape. Moves well. Excellent foot work. Tested poorly.
His 3 Cone drill was 8.03. This makes me nervous. He might slid to the 16th pick.

Here are some other tackles:
Riley Reiff 8.02
Jeff Backus 8.03
Joe Thomas 4.88
Russell Okung 8.09
Jason Peters 7.7
Tyron Smith 7.47
Trent Williams 4.63

Conklin 7.63
Spriggs 7.7
Decker 7.7

Conklin and Spriggs are similiar. I gave the nod to Conklin because he has more polish. Both are left tackles.

Ifedi and Decker are both right tackles. Ifedi has long arms 36"