The first round of the NFL draft was pretty crazy, with three trades that netted 3 QBs way before anyone thought they'd go. The Lions, like last year, were boringly predictable. That's actually a good thing. A GM will often want to appear like the smartest guy in the room and grab a risky pick, or someone off the board. Sometimes that works out, but usually the best player to take is pretty obvious. Last year, the obvious pick was the tackle out of OSU, Taylor Decker. That has worked out pretty well so far.
Based on the nature of the draft, you tend to see a highly rated prospect falling for some reason and hope he's still there when your team picks. Johnathan Allen dropped some, but I had no expectation that he'd still be available when the Lions picked at 21, and sure enough, Allen went off the board at #17. But Reuben Foster, the LB out of Alabama, was in a free fall due to some character concerns at the Combine. Linebacker was probably the Lions' most dire need... did they make the right choice?
Jarrad Davis, LB Florida Reuben Foster, LB Alabama
6'1", 238 lbs, 4.61 40-yd dash 6'0", 229 lbs, 4.64 40-yd dash
2016: 9 gm, 60 tkl, 6 TFL, 2 sacks, 4 PD 2016: 15 gm, 115 tkl, 13 TFL, 5 sacks, 2 PD
6'1", 238 lbs, 4.61 40-yd dash 6'0", 229 lbs, 4.64 40-yd dash
2016: 9 gm, 60 tkl, 6 TFL, 2 sacks, 4 PD 2016: 15 gm, 115 tkl, 13 TFL, 5 sacks, 2 PD
2015: 14 gm, 94 tkl, 11 TFL, 3.5 sacks, 2015: 15 gm, 73 tkl, 8 TFL, 1 sack, 7 PD
1 INT, 4 PD, 1 FF
Davis - Pros: So, right off you should notice that Davis only played in 9 games last season, and we'll get to that. He can tackle, he can get to the QB, he's fast, and he's not bad in coverage. Everyone loves his character and he's a leader on the defense, which should not be understated. And he can either play either the MIKE (middle LB) or WILL (weakside LB) positions in the Lions' defense.
Foster - Pros: He won the Bednarik Award for best LB in college football, so Foster is pretty good. He's fast, he's a big hitter, and he's got that Alabama pedigree. He's also great in coverage, which the Lions really need at the LB position.
1 INT, 4 PD, 1 FF
Davis - Pros: So, right off you should notice that Davis only played in 9 games last season, and we'll get to that. He can tackle, he can get to the QB, he's fast, and he's not bad in coverage. Everyone loves his character and he's a leader on the defense, which should not be understated. And he can either play either the MIKE (middle LB) or WILL (weakside LB) positions in the Lions' defense.
Foster - Pros: He won the Bednarik Award for best LB in college football, so Foster is pretty good. He's fast, he's a big hitter, and he's got that Alabama pedigree. He's also great in coverage, which the Lions really need at the LB position.
Davis - Cons: The injuries. Davis missed the end of his 2014 season with an MCL tear, and then this past year he missed several games and then tried to play through an ankle injury. Ankle sprains can become a chronic issue, but they aren't as catastrophic to a player's career as a knee injury can be. Still, Davis has missed a lot of games over the past 3 years. Football-wise, he's not terrific in coverage, but it's not a huge area of concern.
Foster - Cons: The issue with Foster, and the reason he wasn't taken in the top 15 or so, was character concerns. He tested positive for a "diluted sample" during his drug test, which could just be over-hydrating, or it could be a cause for concern. The problem is that he's now on level 1 of the NFL's drug discipline, meaning another positive test would be a 4-game suspension. He also had a "heated exchange" with hospital staff at the Combine, causing him to get kicked out. Aside from the character concerns, Foster has had some stinger issues due to poor tackling technique, and he had rotator cuff surgery this offseason.
The Verdict: Reuben Foster is probably maybe the better football player. Possibly. But he has a tendency to just drop his shoulder and go for the big hit instead of wrapping up. He's a really good player, but he's not flawless, and the stuff at the combine raised some eyebrows. I'd prefer the Lions had drafted him, because I think he's a bit better than Jarrad Davis, but...
Jarrad Davis is really good. He might actually be a better fit for the Lions than Foster, given that he projects as a middle linebacker (the Lions' current MLB, Tahir Whitehead, graded out as the 2nd-worst starting LB in football by PFF) and has leadership qualities that Foster does not possess. He didn't grade out as quite the coverage guy that Foster is, but Davis made some pretty nice plays in downfield coverage. If he can find the ball in the air like that on a consistent basis, he's going to be just fine in coverage.
Foster - Cons: The issue with Foster, and the reason he wasn't taken in the top 15 or so, was character concerns. He tested positive for a "diluted sample" during his drug test, which could just be over-hydrating, or it could be a cause for concern. The problem is that he's now on level 1 of the NFL's drug discipline, meaning another positive test would be a 4-game suspension. He also had a "heated exchange" with hospital staff at the Combine, causing him to get kicked out. Aside from the character concerns, Foster has had some stinger issues due to poor tackling technique, and he had rotator cuff surgery this offseason.
The Verdict: Reuben Foster is probably maybe the better football player. Possibly. But he has a tendency to just drop his shoulder and go for the big hit instead of wrapping up. He's a really good player, but he's not flawless, and the stuff at the combine raised some eyebrows. I'd prefer the Lions had drafted him, because I think he's a bit better than Jarrad Davis, but...
Jarrad Davis is really good. He might actually be a better fit for the Lions than Foster, given that he projects as a middle linebacker (the Lions' current MLB, Tahir Whitehead, graded out as the 2nd-worst starting LB in football by PFF) and has leadership qualities that Foster does not possess. He didn't grade out as quite the coverage guy that Foster is, but Davis made some pretty nice plays in downfield coverage. If he can find the ball in the air like that on a consistent basis, he's going to be just fine in coverage.
***
Moving on, the Lions have the 53rd and 85th picks today, which correspond to the 21st pick in the 3rd & 4th rounds, respectively. They still have needs on defense - a DE who can get to the QB, a CB who can cover, S, and DT. They also have needs on offense - RB, a downfield threat at WR, and possibly TE as well. So, who's out there?
2nd - Joe Mixon - RB, Oklahoma: This is the name a lot of fans are saying. In fact, many wanted us to take him in the first round. By all accounts, he's the best RB in the entire draft. He can split out as a receiver (538 receiving yards) or do damage on the ground (1,274 yds rushing). He's a perfect RB for this era, except for his anger issues, which might end up getting him suspended for life at some point.
2nd - Malik McDowell - DT, Michigan State: He didn't have the greatest year, but much of that can be attributed to how poorly MSU played. He was playing great until the Ls started to stack up, and then he apparently lost interest and his play declined. That doesn't bode well if that attitude continues, but if you can fix it, he might be the best DT in the draft.
2nd - Jourdan Lewis - CB, Michigan: He doesn't have elite size or speed, but he's one of the best coverage corners in the draft. He does have a pending domestic issue with his girlfriend that hasn't been resolved yet, which bears watching.
2nd - Obi Meliwonfu - S, UConn: Obi is the most physically imposing safety I've ever seen. He's HUGE for the position at 6'4", 224 lbs, and tremendously gifted athletically (4.40 40-yd dash, 44" vertical). He's not as good in coverage as you might like, but the Lions can afford to develop him for a year. I think he can play.
2nd/3rd - DeMarcus Walker - DE, Florida State: It would be a stretch to expect him to be waiting for the Lions to pick him up with the 85th pick, but it's a big of an over reach to grab him with the 53rd pick. Walker had some gaudy sack totals, but he doesn't possess elite speed off the edge. He might be more of a 3-4 DE, which is why I'd hesitate to take him in round 2 but not round 3.
3rd - Samaje Perine - RB, Oklahoma State: If the Lions go defense again in round 2, they could get a nice short-yardage back in Perine in round 3, if he's there. Sam Perine doesn't have much top end speed, but he's quick enough between the tackles, and man does he move the pile. Check the tape.
2nd - Joe Mixon - RB, Oklahoma: This is the name a lot of fans are saying. In fact, many wanted us to take him in the first round. By all accounts, he's the best RB in the entire draft. He can split out as a receiver (538 receiving yards) or do damage on the ground (1,274 yds rushing). He's a perfect RB for this era, except for his anger issues, which might end up getting him suspended for life at some point.
2nd - Malik McDowell - DT, Michigan State: He didn't have the greatest year, but much of that can be attributed to how poorly MSU played. He was playing great until the Ls started to stack up, and then he apparently lost interest and his play declined. That doesn't bode well if that attitude continues, but if you can fix it, he might be the best DT in the draft.
2nd - Jourdan Lewis - CB, Michigan: He doesn't have elite size or speed, but he's one of the best coverage corners in the draft. He does have a pending domestic issue with his girlfriend that hasn't been resolved yet, which bears watching.
2nd - Obi Meliwonfu - S, UConn: Obi is the most physically imposing safety I've ever seen. He's HUGE for the position at 6'4", 224 lbs, and tremendously gifted athletically (4.40 40-yd dash, 44" vertical). He's not as good in coverage as you might like, but the Lions can afford to develop him for a year. I think he can play.
2nd/3rd - DeMarcus Walker - DE, Florida State: It would be a stretch to expect him to be waiting for the Lions to pick him up with the 85th pick, but it's a big of an over reach to grab him with the 53rd pick. Walker had some gaudy sack totals, but he doesn't possess elite speed off the edge. He might be more of a 3-4 DE, which is why I'd hesitate to take him in round 2 but not round 3.
3rd - Samaje Perine - RB, Oklahoma State: If the Lions go defense again in round 2, they could get a nice short-yardage back in Perine in round 3, if he's there. Sam Perine doesn't have much top end speed, but he's quick enough between the tackles, and man does he move the pile. Check the tape.
3rd - Jordan Leggett - TE, Clemson: Leggett was one of the top TEs in college football last year. He's big and athletic, and would be a nice target for Stafford, but he needs work in both the receiving and blocking facets of the game.
3rd - Ahkello Witherspoon - CB, Colorado: He's got elite size and near-elite speed, but the production isn't quite there. At least not with tackles and INTs. His 19 knockdowns is a massively impressive stat, but he needs to add muscle and be a more willing tackler. By round 3 though, you aren't getting a complete product.
We'll see what direction Bob Quinn takes, but the Lions should end up with 1 or 2 more starters by the end of the night.
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