2nd Round (44): Titus Young WR, Boise State
2nd Round (57): Mikel Leshoure RB, Illinois
5th Round (157) Douglas Hogue LB, Clemson
7th Round (209) Johnny Culbreath OT, South Carolina State
Instant Impact Rookie: Nick Fairley DT, Auburn
-The Lions got a huge luck of the draw when Nick Fairley fell to them at the 13th pick. Fairley is a massive force on the line and only saw his draft stock fall because of character issues which seem to have little merit, and because of the jump on QB's at No.8 and 10 overall. Fairley was dominant at the college level last year and showed he had the skills to be a Pro Bowler in the NFL. Teaming him up with Ndamukong Suh gives the Lions the scariest interior line in the NFL. They are a duo that will make running against the team impossible and give QB nightmares all week long.
Pick for the Future Douglas Hogue LB, Clemson
-Julian Peterson is gone and the Lions will need help at the LB position. Hogue is an athletic LB who has fluid hips and can play nicely in coverage. He is very raw however and needs to work on reading the ball carrier, getting to the holes, and staying focused. he also has issues with getting away from blockers and he needs to improve his technique as a linebacker. If he can do all of that he can end up as a starting LB in this league, but if he can't he can still be a solid special teams player
Questionable Pick: Johnny Culbreath OT, South Carolina State
-I have Culbreath as the questionable pick because he was the only OL taken, and he was selected at the back end of the 7th round. The Lions have gaping holes across the O-Line and Matthew Stafford has already suffered two significant shoulder injuries in his first 2 years of the NFL. By not adding any help at the position they are exposing Stafford to the same beatings he has gotten in the past 2 years.
Draft Grade: B+
The Lions continue to put together impressive draft classes and sticking with who is the best player on their board. The addition of Fairley gives them the best interior rush in the NFL. Then adding Titus Young gives Matthew Stafford another weapon to pair with Calvin Johnson and Brandon Pettigrew. Mikel Leshoure was a great pick later in the 2nd as he can help carry the load and be a great red zone back for the Lions and give Jahvid Best a lighter load. Their first 3 picks give them an A grade but failing to address their below average secondary, and only taking a 7th round OT who may not even make the team. Two of their biggest needs were not filled. So I give them a B+ still a very solid draft for the impressive Lions
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