Detroit Lions draft preview CB David Amerson

Broke down 4 films (Maryland, UCONN, Clemson, Tennessee) on NC State CB David Amerson.

Background: intercepted 13 passes in 2011 and 5 in 2012.

Strengths: great size and good speed. Looks the part as an NFL CB. Has awesome ball skills. Hands like a WR. Can break on the ball and undercut routes. Has an ideal physical skill set.

Weaknesses: gambles on almost every play. Beaten by double routes and the deep ball all year long. Missed tackles against the bubble screen in every game I watched. Terrible tackler.

Bottom line: NC State was terrible on defense. Only Earl Wolff ever tackled anybody. Amerson seemed to have trouble with communication with his safeties.

He has the tools to be tough CB in the league. His skills are elite but his discipline is awful. He is the ultimate boom or bust player.  6.6 rating.

The Lions shouldn't take him before he third round.

Detroit Lions re-sign OT Corey Hilliard

Lions have re-signed tackle Corey Hilliard to a two year deal. He has played 31 games for Detroit and started 5 . He was the Lions right tackle during 4 games winning streak in 2010. He is a candidate to replace with Peterman or Cherlius on the right side.

Analysis: A guy who is 27 years old who has experience and not a lot milleage. He will at the very least be a back up at tackle and guard.

Here is a tribute:

At Oklahoma State.
2007 Combine
5.29 40, 28 reps 27 VJ 810Broad
4.65 20 7.45 Ldrill

Welcome back to Detroit Corey

Detroit Lions draft preview running backs

Using the numbers from draftmetrics.com

The 40 was the biggest predicator of running back success:

63.3% of 3 year starters ran under 4.5 in the 40
Knile Davis Arkansas
Mike Ford LSU
Jon Franklin UCLA
Ontario McCalebb Auburn
Kerwynn Williams Utah State

90%  of 3 year starters under 4.59 in the 40
Kenjon Barner
Gio Bernard UNC
Mike Gilliesse UFA
DJ Harper Boise State
Mike James the U
Zac Stacy Vandy
Matt Tucker TCU
Cierre Wood ND

none over 4.62
Montee Ball Wisconsin
Rex Burkhead Nebraska
Ray Graham Pitt
Montrel Harris Temple
Jawan Jamison Rutgers
Step Jefferson Nevada
Joe Randle Oklahoma State
Robby Rouse Fresno
Theo Riddick ND
Stepfan Taylor Stanford
George Winn Cinci

Detroit Lions draft preview Defensive Ends

Using stats from Draftmetrics.com, the following has been observed
Small DE under 270lbs.

76% of players that started three years jumped over 33.5 in the Vertical. These players fit that bill:
Joe Krueger Utah
Barkevious Mingo LSU
Damontre Moore Texas A&M
Ty Powell Harding
Devin Taylor South Carolina
Sam Montgomery LSU

Red Flags
No three year starters jumped under 31.5" in the vert. These players fit that bill:
David Bass Missouri Western
Bjoern Werner FSU

2 players started three years over 4.92 in the 40
Damontre Moore Texas A&M

Detroit Lions draft preview linebackers

Using data from draftmetrics.com
77% of three year starters ran under 4.75 in the 40,
62% of three starters ran under 4.27 20 yard shuttle.
77% jumped over 33" in the vert

Met all three
Zavier Gooden Missouri

Met two
Jon Bostic Florida
Jamie Collins Southern Miss
Kasheem Greene Rutgers
Sio Moore UCONN
Alex Ogletree UGA
Cornelius Washington UGA (DE)
Travado Williams UCONN


Red Flags
11% of three years starters ran over 4.83
Bench under 16 reps 0 became three year starters
2 of 34 three year starters were under 6 foot
DeVonte Holloman South Carolina 15 reps
Brandon McGee ASU 5'11"
John Lotulelei Utah 5'11" 4.84
Sam Barrington USF 4.91
Steve Beauharnais Rutgers 4.84
Keith Pough Howard 4.9
Bruce Taylor Va Tech 5.01
Chase Thomas Stanford 4.91

Detroit Lions draft preview safeties

 Using data from draftmetrics.com

62% of three year starters ran under 4.55.
68% of three year starters ran under 7.03 in the 3 cone drill.

Here are the guys who fit both criteria

Keelan Johnson ASU 4.54 and 6.77
Eric Reid LSU 4.49 and 6.99
Shawn Williams UGA 4.46 and 7.01

These guys ran under 4.55 but did not run the 3 cone drill
Matt Elam Florida
Sharko Thomas Syracuse
Earl Wolff NC State

Red flags
8% of three year starters ran over 4.71
Tony Jefferson Oklahoma
Brad McDonald Kansas
Zeke Motta Norte Dame

6% of three year starters jumped under 31.5"
Damion Stafford Nebraska

Detroit Lions draft preview Cornerbacks

These players fit the matrix for a three starter at CB under 4.51 in the 40 and over 35.5" in the Vertical Jump
The matrix is from research at Draftmetrics.Com
It states that 81%  of three year starters ran 4.51 or better in the 40.  Also 83% of three year starters jumped higher than 35.5"

Darius Slay Miss State 4.36 35.5"
Dee Milliner Alabama 4.37 36
Desmond Trufant 4.38 37.5"
Robert Alford SE Lou 4.39 40"
Rod Sweeting Ga Tech 4.42 37"
Steve Williams Cal 4.42 40.5"
Xavier Rhodes FSU 4.43 40.5"
David Amerson NC State 4.44 35.5"
Terry Hawthorne Illinois 4.44 35.5"
Dwayne Gratz UCONN 4.47 38"
Will Davis Utah State 4.51 35.5"
BW Webb W&M 4.51 40.5"

On the flip side 0 three year starters ran over 4.64 or jumped under 32.5"
These players are red flagged: Over 4.64 40 or under 32.5" VJ
Josh Johnson Purdue 4.65
Jordan Poyer Oregon State 30.5"
Aaron Hester UCLA 29"