Detroit Lions draft preview S Eric Reid

Broke down LSU S Eric Reid. He came out early as a junior like most of team.

Strengths: great tackler. Can run the ally and tackle in the open field. Really made the plays against A&M and South Carolina. Did show coverage skills including some match ups with WR Ryan Swope.

Weakness: Did not show great range or ball skills at centerfield or in deep half.

Bottom line: the Lions could use his guy. He would be an upgrade in run defense over our guys. The question is can he cover enough ground in space? I rate him 6.9 or solid starter as a rookie. 2nd round.

Detroit Lions draft preview MSU players

My thoughts on the following MSU Spartans in the 2013 draft:

TE Dion Sims

I like this guy. He can play inline and is effective receiver in the middle field. Because of his size he can be a mismatch for safeties. Faster than you think he can threaten the deep middle in Cover 2. When he was hurt the Spartan offense really sucked. If he played MSU would have beat Michigan.
rating 6.3 solid back up with starter potential. 4th round

DE William Gholston

Loved this guy in 2011 but took a step back in 2012. Did not make dynamic plays rushing the QB or against run. Has great size but lacks a burst. He may have to play in the 3-4 at end. Not a starter in 4-3.
Rating:6 potential but a risk because of play or character. 4th round

RB Leveon Bell

Good player. Can handle the tough carries and catch the ball. I think it will be a good thing to see him in rotation. He could an impact player in the right situation. A poor mans Frank Gore.

Rating: 6.5 rotational player and a starter by year 2. 3rd round

CB Johnny Adams

Loved him in 2010 and 2011 but he struggled in 2012. He has the skill set to be a # 2-3 CB in the league. Could also be washing a car in two year as well. He is a tough evaluation. Boom or bust.

Rating 6.1 skill set but lacks production and good film. 5th round.

LB Chris Norman

Will not pursue football but join the seminary.

Detroit Lions draft preview CB Darius Slay

Broke down some film on CB Darius Slay from Mississippi State, a combine standout.
The film were Auburn, Alabama, Texas A&M and LSU.

Strengths good athlete who can run with receivers. Decent ball in the air corner but does not have good hands. A great gunner on the punt team and contain guy on kickoff.

Weakness Not a great ball corner. Not going to make impact plays but will be steady. Not a great run support guy. Every team targeted him with bubble screens.

Bottom line: has a skill set to be a good CB in the league. He can run and shadow WR. Will contribute on kick teams and play in nickelor dime situations.

6.4 solid back up and special teams guy.

Detroit lions draft preview s TJ McDonald

Watched film on TJ McDonald (Arizona, Cal, Stanford) and his work at the senior bowl, I think he is a good football player but I am not sure he is a fit for the Lions scheme.

Strengths he is tough in run support and good at running the ally. Has a good sense of run vs. pass and reacts accordingly. Has shown ability to match up with TE and slot WR.

Weakness I could not get a good look at his ability to play centerfield. He is not a good cover 2 safety. Playing the ball in the air is when he gets lost.

Bottom line: McDonald has the ability to be a good safety in the NFL. He needs the right scheme that allows him to be close to line of scrimmage I rate him as a 6.5 starter early in his career but I think he is a 4th round guy for the Lions.

Detroit Lions draft preview CB Logan Ryan, Jonathan Banks,

Broke down a few corners last week Rutgers Logan Ryan and Mississippi State Jonathan Banks

Ryan is tough kid whose best attribute is run support. He will be best in a zone scheme where he can face the QB. He lacks ball awareness. Many times he fails to look for the ball in man coverage.

Bottom line
Not a real fit or the Lions. He will be a good special teams player but not a guy I would trust as a top 3 CB. Rating 6.2 special teams guy back up. 4or 5th round.

Banks is the type of corner the league is looking for. He is long with good reach. He flashes NFL all skills and a short memory. Not a great player in run support but can cover in man. I rate him as a 6.9 starter as a rookie. 2nd round.

Bonus

UCONN cb Blidi Wren-Wilson not a physical player. He can run with receivers and play the ball in the air. He doesn't possess great hands. Looks like a possible player down the line. I rate him at 6.3. Rotational payer with start potential. 4th round.

Detroit Lions draft preview WR Markus Wheaton

Checked out film on Oregon State WR Markus Wheaton. (Cal, UCLA, BYU, ASU) plus action from Senior Bowl week.

Strengths: NFL receiver. Runs every route. Catches with hands. Makes plays in traffic and elusive in the open field. Good blocker.

Weaknesses plays in PAC 12.

Bottom line: I love this guy. He would fit in with Lions to replace Titus. I rate him at 7 rookie starter with impact. I would give him a thought in the 2nd round.

Detroit Lions draft preview OT Lane Johnson

Went back and checked out the Texas, Texas A&M and Senior Bowl games of Lane Johnson OT Oklahoma.

Strengths: supreme athlete. Can pass block at an elite level. Can extend arms and lock out rushers. Great at finding people to block on the second level. Gave nothing to Moore of A&M. Handled Hunt and Buchanan in the Senior Bowl.

Weakness: maybe drive blocking but was effective in the goal line package.

Bottom line: Real prospect at Left Tackle. I rank him 2nd behind Fisher at Tackle and has value in the top 10-12.  Much better player than Riley Reiff in his draft process.