MSU Red Cedar Message Board

Westbrook was having a great season right before he tore his achilles.

I've got almost no argument with people saying OL, DB, LB. I'll applaud if they get a good player to fill any of those needs in the first round. I would caution, though, that the last time they took an OL towards the end of the first round, they got cherilus, who only looks adequate b/c he's on the same line with raiola and backus.

I'm surprised nobody's talking about RB. It's amazing what the lions accomplished this year with virtually no running game. Obviously, upgrading the OL would help, but they have almost no one to carry the rock at the moment. I'd say it depends on LeShoure's status. If he's not coming back, this should be a priority. You can get a franchise RB late in the first round.

None of those guys could f**king tackle. Worst. Tackling. Ever...

No RBs, imo. No. Nononono. Stick with Best (HOPEFULLY), Smith, and see what Leshoure brings to the table before bringing anyone else in.

IMO we need a cornerback and should be stacking LBs and O Line. I'm curious to see what corners and LBs will be there when we pick, but for O Line I think we need to replace RG first, then RT, then center/LT, which is best available at that point. Those picks can be split between high ones this year and high ones next year, but it finally has to be addressed.

I agree. You sacrifice value by drafting a specific position. Take the best player on the board to get the best value in the draft. You target positions in FA. This is how the Lions have gotten to where they're at and how some of the good teams have stayed where they're at.

Also grab a 2nd-3rd round DE. I'm a big fan of Boise State's Shea McClellin.

Impending free agent LE Cliff Avril wrote on Twitter Sunday that his preference is to re-sign with the Lions.

"Yes I'd love to be here, but it's not in my hands," he wrote. "It's up to them, if they want me." In 2012, the Lions are scheduled to pay Ndamukong Suh $9.25 million, Kyle Vanden Bosch $5 million, and Corey Williams $4.9 million. Nick Fairley isn't free, either. With Lawrence Jackson (4.5 sacks) and Willie Young (3 sacks) both signed cheaply through 2012, the Lions may move on from Avril if his asking price is too high. At 6'3/260, Avril could appeal both to 3-4 teams as an outside 'backer and 4-3 teams as a base defensive end.

per Rotoworld

That makes too much sense.

My guess is their draft positions that we don't need like last year. Good thing we got that slot WR, backup DT, and hurt RB, instead of a DB that could cover someone!

You can't fix all your need in one draft and that "slot WR" has developed into a nice option besides Calvin and Burleson (had 48 catches for 606 yards and 6TD's while missing most of training camp). Also, the "backup DT" has played well this year when healthy and played a solid game last night against the best offensive line in the NFL. Also, the back up RB did get injured but he was a position of need since we needed a power back to compliment Best. Finally, what DB would have helped the Lions this year because there were really no stand out rookie DB's this year.

"They" drafted Cherilus? Pretty sure that was Matt Millen and Rod. Mayhew and Schwartz are batting pretty close to 1.000 with their high picks in their first 3 years.

Signed Patrick Peterson

I would like Vontaze Burfict in the first. I would then like Housley (#20 from VT, can't remember if that's his name) in a later round. (Is he even in the draft?) I clearly don't know shit about him but goddamn was he all over the ball in tSplenda. I would then like OL....anyone with a pulse, preferably. Boykins from GA would be a luxury pick, but holy hell.

Lots of potential, and I trust Mayhew & Co. to get the job done.

Yeah he was a monster against us on offense, defense, and ST.