NFL Draft Day 1 is done, say hello to Ziggy

Day 1, Round 1 of the 2013 NFL Draft is in the books. I have to say, it didn't play out exactly the way I wanted. I was REALLY hoping that one of the top 3 OT's would still be available at the Lions' pick, and a week ago it looked likely. Instead the Lions ended up taking Ezekiel "Ziggy" Ansah, a very exciting prospect at DE who still needs a LOT of work.

He made some big plays on pure athleticism, especially the hit on Denard Robinson in the Senior Bowl. He looked beat, scraped along the line and caught up. His athleticism is really exciting, his instincts are pretty good (especially considering his VERY limited experience), and he can deliver some vicious hits.

My main concern is his technique. There are 4 basic techniques that D linemen use to rush the passer - the swim move, the spin move, the bull rush, and the rip (or chop & rip, club & rip, etc.) technique. The spin and bull rush moves don't really work unless combined with another move, and naturally those are the 2 moves Ansah uses the most. My HS football coach hated it when we used a spin move because usually high schoolers don't use it properly, resulting in 3 things: 1) moving laterally out of position, 2) presenting the blocker your back, making you easier to block, and 3) causing you to lose sight of the play & waste time (I never used the spin move, mainly swim, rip, and occasionally bull rush). Ansah uses it primarily as an escape move when the play moves out of the pocket. It definitely needs some work.

The bull rush works well for Ansah in college because he's so quick & strong. When he beats the OT off the snap, he can get under his pads and drive that OT back. In the NFL, pass blocking OT's usually line up in a 2-point stance and are less susceptible to just a straight bull rush technique (combining with a spin works well though). The bull rush also doesn't work too well against a double-team, or if a TE or RB chips the DE (as they frequently do against the Lions). Ansah is basically a 1 or 2 move pass rusher, and he needs 2-3 moves EVERY PLAY. Send him to Chuck Smith's pass rush school first thing this off-season. A couple of years of that & this kid could be leading the league in sacks by year 3.

Day 2, Rounds 2 & 3 begins at 6:30 tonight. The Lions have the 4th pick of the 2nd round and the 3rd pick in the 3rd round. They still need help at OL (preferably someone who can come right out & start), CB, and OLB... and they probably need another DE and a WR. Here are some options still available for the Lions' top needs, along with highlight videos of my favorites:

CB Jamar Taylor (Boise State) - 5'11", 192 lbs, 4.39 40-time

He's fast, probably the fastest CB available. At this point he looks like a #2 CB who could develop into a #1. He's good in coverage and isn't afraid to tackle a runner (which Gunther Cunningham LOVES in a CB). Needs work on reading plays & not looking into the backfield too much, but he does a better job of turning and LOOKING FOR THE BALL than many of the Lions' other CB's (something that's easier when you have closing speed).
CB Johnathan Banks (Mississippi State) - 6'2", 185 lbs, 4.61 40-timeHe's bigger, but slower & weaker than Taylor (10 bench reps vs. 22 reps), and really looks more like a safety than a CB. Actually, he used to BE a safety, so that fits.
CB Tyrann Mathieu (LSU, sort of) - 5'9", 186 lbs, 4.50 40-time
The Honey Badger would be a 3rd round pick, and more than a bit of a risk considering the Lions' continuing off-the-field problems. He's a Swiss Army Knife defender, a ball hawk, and could also return punts.

OT Menelik Watson (Florida State) - 6'5", 310 lbs, no bench (shoulder)

He's another guy who's just learning the game (born in the UK) but looks promising. He started at RT his entire junior season and may have taken over at LT his senior year, but decided to enter the draft to support his family. He looks like he could come in & play RT right now for the Lions, maybe eventually taking the LT job if Reiff or whoever can't handle it.
OG Larry Warford (Kentucky) - 6'3", 332 lbs, 28 reps-benchBIG big guy. Needs to add explosion, but overall a lot to like. I actually like him a LITTLE better than Watson except the Lions are DYING for a tackle, especially since it sounds like Reiff could move to guard.
OT Terron Armstead (Arkansas-Pine Bluff) - 6'5", 306 lbs, 31 reps-benchHe showed blazing speed for an OT at the combine (4.71 40-time), but I don't think that's as relevant for an OT. Armstead had his hands full at times in the Senior Bowl. He can handle speed rushers just fine, but a guy like Justin Smith would eat him for lunch. If he adds some strength in his legs, he'd be a good get in the 3rd round.

ILB/OLB Arthur Brown (Kansas State) - 6'0", 241 lbs, 4.67 40-time (pro day)

This is the only LB I think the Lions should consider in the 2nd round (pass on Manti Te'o). He's a good tackler (something Lions LB's struggle with), and a move to the weak-side LB spot should mitigate his problems due to lack of size. He has the speed to play Will LB (weak-side), could play Sam (strong-side), & is easily a plug & play guy (immediate impact).
OLB Chase Thomas (Stanford) - 6'3", 244lbs, 4.91 40-time
He improved on his 40-time on his pro day (4.80), but it's pretty clear he has questionable athleticism at best. He makes plays by hustling. He could play Sam, lacks speed for Will.
OLB Khaseem Greene (Rutgers) - 6'1", 241 lbs, 4.71 40-timeBetter athlete than Thomas but has questionable hustle, so I rank him lower. His production for 2012 was pretty good though (136 tackles, 12 for loss, 6 sacks, 5 PD, 6 FF).

Also hanging out there but less of a need are DE's Margus Hunt (if he's still there in the 3rd, TAKE HIM) and William Gholston, or WR's Markus Wheaton, Josh Boyce, or Aaron Dobson. KR is also a need, and Jordan Poyer, BW Webb, or Dennis Johnson later in the draft.

The Wings won last night and just need a win in their last game or a Columbus loss to make the playoffs. They need Minnesota to lose their next 2 games to make the #7 seed. Just in case you were wondering.

I KILLED my AM run today, doing 3 miles in 23:42. My ankle's been feeling a little better since I've given it a little extra rest, so hopefully that continues. Going to Live Coal Gallery's Opening tonight after work. My wife & I got a free membership because I pitched in to get the space ready, so, looking forward to that. Have a good Friday!