MSU Red Cedar Message Board

Oh, Darko was an epic bust, no doubt. I'm talking about the people right now who are using the Mike Williams draft as a reason why this one sucks. Essentially saying "When analysts think the Lions had a good draft, they suck, see what happened with Mike Williams!" Hindsight is always 20-20.

I like the potential of the Lion's draft class and I think that's all you can say about ANY class; it's all potential until they get on the field. The "grades" are just there to get people talking and to generate interest in the NFL during the off season.

ok we get it, message board posters (fans) are dumb and should shut up when it comes to grading their teams draft while the word of geniuses like Mcshay and Kiper should be taken as gospel. Good lord have been paying attention to Kiper over the last decade or is this your 1st year??

I really think that putting Fairley on this team sets him up to be one of the biggest impact rookies next season. Drew Sharp took his obligatory shot at the B1G when he talked about how Fairley dominated in the SEC, but he was right. Let’s not pretend like Fairley is an average player, he was probably the best defensive player in the SEC last year. Some of those games, he took over on a Suh v. Texas level. Now bring him into a group that isn’t going to need a star on day one, just let him play his game, and I think he is a star by this time next year.

That “impact rookie” idea really seems to be the whole idea of the Lions first three picks. If Titus Young really is Desean Jackson lite, then he will have a huge impact. Putting him on the team gives us 4 really strong options to throw to; Burleson was a really good #2 WR last year, and I think Pettigrew is shaping into one of the more well rounded TEs in the league. If we can add a top-tier slot guy, then we are looking at 2012s greatest show on turf, especially when you figure in Best. As for the Leshoure pick, it’s true that we gave up a good deal, but 1) RB was a real need and 2) we got probably the 2nd best one. Considering this was a weak draft class, coming out with three guys that can really make you better right now is awesome, WR and RB are positions were rookies can make an impact right away, with a lot more certainty than DBs or LBs. Our 3rd round pick last year was Spievey, I’m a lot more excited for LeShoure.
I also think that what goes on in your division is something coaches care more about than the casual fan. We aren’t going to beat Aaron Rodgers with CBs. The Bears knew they really needed an Olineman after seeing who we drafted, and you’ve got to believe it was in Green Bay’s mind as well. It all plays in together. The Vikings got screwed having to take Ponder, Rudolph was a decent pick but I’m not sure he can really help with blocking. The Lions and Packers both went with great slot guys in round 2, the Bears tried to get an impact DT of their own in Paea. The Pack drafted a RB in round 3, then the Vikes bring it all back around and pick a DT/DE with their 3rd pick. Especially outside of Vikings, the teams in the NFC north did similar things with their drafts. No, we didn’t get an OT like the Bears and Pack, they were getting much better value where they picked, but stacking up the first three picks of each team, you’ve got to like where we project for the future of the NFC north.

The truth is that draft predictions are always a crapshoot. There were some last year that thought Suh would slip down the board. No matter how much film is watched and how many workouts filmed and graded, you rarely know that a player is a sure thing.

On the other hand, Mayhew has a plan for the Lions and so far the results are encouraging. I think he knows what he's doing and his picks make sense.

And I just watched First Take on ESPN and both Bayless and Scoop Jackson were very positive about the Lion's draft.

I don't know anythig about Harris but it's clear that the DB's the Lions wanted in round 2 were gone before they picked.

oh and btw Kiper was in love with our 2004 draft that I posted above. How did that turn out??

you are completely missing the point- who will make a bigger difference- Harris or the speedy slot WR? Point being, Harris is not a better player and does not bring as much to the table and his signing would not at all guarantee the CB unit's improvement, while the WR could instantly make CJ, Burelson, the TEs, Stafford & Best better.

"Speedy slot receiver" you are buying into the hype. You know who else was speedy?? Derrick Williams......look all I'm saying is it is a legit criticism of this draft. We needed a lb and a db and got neither. We will see what happens in free agency.

Burleson is most likely moving into the slot. Titus Young will be the outside speedy vertical threat to draw coverage off Calvin Johnson.

Before the draft started, CB. After the Lions drafted Fairly, it's pretty much a toss up.

You have to understand that more goes into drafting then just selecting a CB to get a CB. Mayhew and co. had a list of guys they wanted and the rounds they felt they would like to take them. If it's the 13th pick in the second round and the closest CB they would like to take projected as a mid to late 3rd round do you expect Det to take them? Do you expect them to just take Kiper's word and draft the highest available CB even though they either have no info at all on them or they were turned off by them? Millen used to do this kind of thing, you saw how that turned out.

I never said that, stop putting words in my mouth. I said that in Mayhew and Co.'s eyes there wasn't a better pick. Then I asked you a question which you obviously didn't want to answer because you knew it would kill your argument.