3 Rounds Draft Scouting - Offense

The biggest issue the Lions are facing this offseason is whether or not they will retain the services of Ndamukong Suh. It has the biggest impact on every other move they will make, and that includes the draft. Currently, every DT on the team (other than Caraun Reid, who barely played last year) is some form of free agent. Going over team needs, DT is probably the highest, followed by RB, OL and CB. They could take a linebacker too, and maybe a WR. DE is almost always a need the way they use the position these days, but I don't think they should use a top 3 round pick on one, unless someone like Arik Armstead or Dante Fowler Jr were to drop some 10 spots below their projection.

The Lions released Reggie Bush yesterday, mainly for the cap space but also because he couldn't stay on the field and really hasn't been that good on the field in the last 2 years. This will open up some space to sign Suh, but it also makes RB kind of a need. Joique Bell is a solid back, but it's definitely a position the Lions could stand to upgrade. The offensive line was atrocious last year, and with Raiola gone, Sims likely gone, and Reiff possibly moving to RT, the Lions could stand to upgrade the O line as well. CB is always a need, especially with Mathis getting older. This week I'll look at options at each of these position areas for the top 3 rounds. Today, we'll look at offense.

Running Back - 1st round options:

Todd Gurley, Georgia - 6'1", 226 lbs
40 time: N/A (supposedly ran a 4.3 in HS)
Bench: 17 reps
20-yd Shuttle: N/A
2014 stats: 123 carries; 911 yds; 9 TDs 

Gurley was a Heisman candidate before he got suspended for a stupid NCAA rule then tore his ACL. He's a big, physical back who runs through contact, and he's pretty fast. Not many guys his size return kicks. The knee injury is a concern, but it sounds like he should be ready to go by pre-season. He's good running or catching passes out of the backfield, and basically does everything well.

Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin - 6'1", 215 lbs
40 time: 4.52 sec
Bench: 19 reps
20-yd Shuttle: 4.07 sec
2014 stats: 343 carries; 2,587 yds; 29 TDs

The amazing thing is that one of these two RBs will most likely be available when the Lions go on the clock with the 23rd pick. Gordon is a bit shiftier, although he also brings plenty of power. He's not as good as Gurley catching the ball, and he's got serious ball security issues to boot.

Running Back - 2nd round options:

Ameer Abdullah, Nebraska - 5'9", 195 lbs
40 time: 4.60 sec
Bench: 24 reps
20-yd Shuttle: 3.95 sec
2014 stats: 264 carries; 1,611 yds; 19 TDs

Abdullah is probably the best guy to pair with Joique Bell. He may not be available when the Lions pick in the 2nd round, but the RB position has been a little devalued and he very well could slip. Small hands lead to some fumbling issues, but he's a good receiver as well as a scat back.

Tevin Coleman, Indiana - 6'1", 210 lbs
40 time: N/A
Bench: 22 reps
20-yd Shuttle: N/A
2014 stats: 270 carries; 2,036 yds; 15 TDs

Coleman elected not to run at the Combine after having surgery on his ankle in December. He'll run at his pro day on April 15th, so we'll get a chance to see his speed then. He's a good, shifty back but without much power or breakaway speed. He's more likely to be available at pick #55 than Ameer Abdullah, but if he's gone then Duke Johnson or Jay Ajayi could be options here as well.

Running Back - 3rd round option:

TJ Yeldon, Alabama - 6'1", 220 lbs
40 time: 4.61 sec
Bench: 22 reps
20-yd Shuttle: 4.22 sec
2014 stats: 194 carries; 979 yds; 11 TDs

Yeldon is a solid back. Not much push, not much breakaway speed, but he's shifty and  really good as a receiver. He played injured some last year, but nothing super serious.

Offensive Line - 1st round options:

LT Ereck Flowers, Miami (FL) - 6'6", 324 lbs
40 time: 5.31 sec
Bench: 37 reps
20-yd Shuttle: N/A

Flowers is REALLY good in pass protect & pretty good as a run blocker as well. He sometimes struggles to find his block in open space, but he's good enough to move Reiff to RT.

C Cameron Erving, Florida St - 6'6", 308 lbs
40 time: 5.15 sec
Bench: 30 reps
20-yd Shuttle: 4.63 sec

Watching highlight reels of offensive linemen is kind boring, so I'll spare you that for the rest of these prospects. It's pretty rare that a center goes in round 1, but the Lions are drafting late enough that it's justifiable. He could slide 2nd year man Travis Swanson over to guard. Needs some technique work, but few of these guys don't.


Offensive Line - 2nd round options:

T/G Cedric Ogbuenhi, Texas A&M - 6'5", 300 lbs
40 time: N/A
Bench: 23 reps
20-yd Shuttle: N/A

Needs some technique work, may switch back to guard in the pros. Phil Savage breaks down his strengths & weaknesses here better than I ever could.

RG Tre' Jackson, Florida St - 6'4", 330 lbs
40 time: 5.52 sec
Bench: N/A
20-yd Shuttle: N/A

Better run blocker than a pass blocker, blocks well in space. Laken Tomlinson would be an option here as well.

Offensive Line - 3rd round options:

RT Daryl Williams, Oklahoma - 6'5", 327 lbs
40 time: 5.34 sec
Bench: 27 reps
20-yd Shuttle: 5.15 sec

He's a solid RT, but lack of athleticism may slide him to the guard position in the NFL. Not a great pass blocker, pretty good on the run.

That's it for the offense, we'll take a look at DT & CB tomorrow.