Detroit Lions Draft DT Caraun Reid in the 5th round

Princeton DT Caraun Reid drafted by Lions in the 5th round. The Lions traded an earlier 5th round pick to Dallas for this pick at #158.

Reid is developmental tackle. 6021 302 4.91 20 reps 27.5 810 4.58 7.59 a the combine.
He will compete with Fluellen, Irvin, Saddler-McQueen for a spot on the D-line

Here is a Tribute:

At Princeton, Reid he played 39 games
19 sacks 2 ff 1 int

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Detroit Lions select CB Nevin Lawson and DE Larry Webster in the 4th round

Lions select two guys in the 4th round with compensatory picks for losing Gosder and Avril in 2013 to free agency.

Nevin Lawson CB Utah State 5094 190 4.42 16 reps 34.5 1000 4.13 7.12

Lawson is average CB. Smallish size with decent speed.  He will compete with Greenwood, Green and UDFA for a spot. He is not a lock to make the team.

Lawson Played 49 games at Utah State
205 t 6 int 1 td

Larry Webster is a DE from Bloomsburg. A former basketball player who is also graded at TE. He is freakish athlete. 6056 252 4.58 17 reps 36.5 VJ 1003 4.44. He is a developmental guy but could see action as pass rush specialist.

Webster at Bloomsburg played 26 games
88t 26 sacks 1 int 3 td.

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Detroit Lions Pick C Travis Swanson in the 3rd round

Lions select Center Travis Swanson with pick #76 in the 3rd Round. The Lions targeted center in the draft. They checked out Martin, Richburg, Ikard and settled on this guy. Swanson is tall for center 6050 310 5.28 20 225 26 711 jumps 4.65 7.73 long arms 33 1/8".

Here is a tribute:

Swanson for a 4 year starter at Arkansas
50 starts 2 time Team Captain
2 time All-SEC 2nd team

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Detroit Lions draft OLB Kyle Van Noy in 2nd round

Detroit Lions draft BYU OLB Kyle Van Noy with pick # 40. They traded their 2nd, 4th (111), and 7th (227) for this pick # 40 and a 5th round (146).

Van Noy is solid football player. He will play OLB in the 4-3. He is a three down backer. He can can cover, play the run and blitz. Van Noy is not a edge rush guy. Kyle stood out in 2012 when I was scouting Ansah.

Van Noy played 52 games for BYU
225 tackles 26 sacks 7 int 11 FF 4td 

6032 244 4.71 21 225 32.5 vj 904 broad 4.2 7.22 shuttles at the combine.

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Detroit Lions Pick TE Eric Ebron with #10

Detroit Lions select TE from UNC Eric Ebron in the 1st round. Ebron was 6043 253 lbs. 4.6 24 reps 32 vj1000 broad 4.57 7.49 shuttles at the combine.

 I rated him as 6.8 a solid starter in the NFL. He is more of a move guy than an inline TE. Ebron will not block but can attack the middle of the field. Eric will drop the easy one and make the tough catch. I would have preferred DT Aaron Donald here but I did not want Barr, Lewan or Evans.

Here is a tribute:

Ebron played 34 games for UNC
112 rec 1805 yards 8td

This the 3rd time in my lifetime that the Lions have selected a TE in the 1st round. 2009 # 20 Brandon Pettigrew and 1984 # 20 David Lewis. Both were busts. I hope this guy is different.

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Detroit Lions draft preview- the view from the man cave

The Detroit Lions man cave will be the venue for this weekends draft.

Here are the scenes:

Fathead given to me by Tree

Calvin Fathead
Assorted Lions Pillows

Assorted roaries on the man couch

A view of the Lions flags

A view back into the cave

Go Lions

Detroit Lions Mock Draft

Please note: This is not a prediction. This is what I would do if  I were the GM. Obviously, the avaliability of these players is subject to other teams. That is why I have a variety of players that I like at each pick.

I will not try to predict trades. We do not have a 5th round pick.
1st Round

Here are my Top 4:

1. Sammy Watkins WR Clemson
2. Jadevon Clowney DE South Carolina
3. Khalil Mack DE Buffalo
4. Greg Robinson OT Auburn

I assume they are all gone

My Pick is

Justin GIlbert CB Oklahoma State

I Like this guy. Long with speed. Plays the ball like a receiver. The Lions CB had 2 interceptions in 2013. Slay, Greenwood, Bentley and Green are all unproven injury prone players.

Next on the board:
Aaron Donald DT Pitt

If I cannot trade the pick
Eric Ebron TE UNC
Kyle Fuller CB VA Tech

Not on the board:
Taylor Lewan OT Michigan the Titus Young of Lineman
Mike Evans WR Texas A&M Reminds me of big Mike Williams
Anthony Barr DE UCLA Good athlete not much of a playmaker.

2nd Round

DE Jeremiah Attaochu

Need a flame thrower. This guy can bend and has explosive arms. My favorite player in the draft.

Next on the board:
Allen Robinson WR PSU Big body outside guy. Tempting
Jordan Mathews WR Vanderbilt Solid ten year WR
Jimmie Ward S NIU Versatile. Like this guy
Kyle Van Noy OLB BYU Good 3 down backer but not a flame thrower.

3rd Round

WR Martavis Bryant Clemson

Height weight speed. A little raw and streaky.

Next on the board:

Davonte Adams WR Fresno State
Weston Richburg OC CSU
Marcus Martin OC USC
CJ Fiedrowicz TE Iowa
Keith McGill CB Utah

4th Round

C Gabe Ikard Oklahoma

QB Aaron Murray Georgia

S Jerome Couplin S William & Mary

Also on the board
DT Shamar Stephen UCONN
DE Kareem Martin UNC
LB Khari Fortt Cal
CB Dexter McDougle Maryland
DE Larry Webster Bloomsburg
WR Bennie Fowler MSU
CB Brian Dixon NW Missouri State

6th Round

WR Kadron Boone LSU

LB Kevin Louis-Pierre
DE Denicos Autry
QB Tahj Boyd

7th Round

CB Keon Lyn Syracuse

WR Erik Lora Eastern Illinois
WR Jeff Janis SVSU
RB Zipton Tipton CMU
OC Matt Armstrong GVSU

Free agent

Adam Fenton FB CMU
Birmingham Seaholm