NFL Draft 2015: Detroit Lions Team Needs
By Zac Snyder
For a look at the Detroit Lions’ team needs entering the 2015 NFL Draft, I got together with SideLion Report‘s Kent Platte. Below are my questions followed by his answers.
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1. How have the team’s draft needs changed since free agency opened?
"The Detroit Lions were not very active in free agency, instead concentrating their efforts on retaining their own players. They had mixed success I’m that area, as they obviously lost their superstar defensive tackle, Ndamukong Suh, to the Miami Dolphins and their other former first round DT, Nick Fairley, to the Rams. They mitigated thst damage somewhat by trading for a blue chip player in Haloti Ngata and signing a young, promising interior rusher in Tyrunn Walker. Their draft needs remain pretty much unchanged despite their perceived inaction. The team still needs to pick up a promising running back and offensive lineman to inject some life into their dreadful rushing game, while picking up successors in their aging secondary. They need to draft a defensive tackle as well, but while it’s often referred to as their top need it is secondary to their other needs."
2. What would you say are the top three needs remaining?
"The Lions need offensive line help badly, but I’d still put that need on the same level as a top tier running back. Those two areas are 1a and 1b for me in terms of need. After addressing their offense, their needs fall to shoring up their defensive line in the middle and finding a long term successor to 34 year old CB Rashean Mathis and James Ihedigbo at safety."
3. Are there any prospects that have caught your eye so far?
"Todd Gurley is easily the highest profile runner the Lions are targeting, but really any back with speed or dynamic play making ability should be considered, like Tevin Coleman or Duke Johnson. They may target small school stud Ali Marpet to strengthen their offensive interior, or possibly go after the versatile Cam Erving and swing Travis Swanson from center to LG. Athletic corners like Eric Rowe, Marcus Peters, and local product Trae Waynes are also strong possibilities early."
4. What do you think would make for a successful draft for your team?
"For this draft to be successful, the team needs to improve their offense I’m a tangible way, and soon. The team is already banking on two 2014 picks in Eric Ebron and Travis Swanson working out, so leaning on a rookie heavily is going to be a tough sell to fans. Still, if they find a starting caliber running back or strengthen their offensive line to the point that they can manage with their otherwise weak RB corps, the team can call it a success. It won’t matter in the long term, however, if they’re unable to build defensive depth that can develop quickly they may see their strong defense collapse quickly."
5. So much draft focus often goes to the first few rounds, but is there something you’d like to see your team do in the later rounds?
"The Lions traded away two of their later round picks for Ngata and they didn’t receive any compensatory picks to male up for it. They really need to hit with their early rounders, but it’s likely Martin Mayhew will do some dealing to pick up another pick or two to bolster depth. The team lacks serious depth at receiver after Megatron and Golden Tate, and it would be nice for them to find a way to increase production there. Mid to late rounders like Justin Hardy or Andre Davis are possible targets. Teryl Austin is more likely to address the safety position late than early, so despite having solid depth in Isa Abdul-Quddus, they could target a late rounder to mold."
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Next: Post-Free Agency Frenzy 2015 NFL Mock Draft