Project Mock Draft Picks for Lions in '07 All Wrong

As some of you may have seen, there are already many Mock Drafts for the 2007 NFL lottery in existence. Our friends at Lionbacker have posted a number of them, and have been kind enough to include the projected selections for the Detroit Lions. However, in review of them, it would seem that none of the prognosicators has accurately touched on getting the position that the Lions need the most.
Many have the Lions taking a quarterback in round one (with a top ten pick as well). Why, oh why, I ask, is this selection they think will be made? Jon Kitna may not be the second coming of Bobby Layne, or even Greg Landry, but he's no Scott Mitchell either. Kitna is having a very good year so far, and this coming with a patchwork offensive line, a new scheme to just about everybody else on the offense, and the absence of a reliable running game. Roy Williams and Mike Furrey have proven themselves as reliable targets, but little depth has been evident. Why would the Lions waste a first round pick on a position where there starter is signed for another three seasons and is having a good year statistically? There are other fish to fry during the draft. I feel if the Lions think that quarterback is a position of need, they will handle it like they did this past off-season, through free agency. However, I am not convinced the Lions have, or feel they have, a need for any change at the quarterback position.
Those sites that feel the Lions will select a different offensive skill position, such as a runningback or wide receiver are also looking at the Detroit franchise through foggy glasses. Kevin Jones, Brian Calhoun, Roy Williams, Mike Furrey, Mike Williams.............any of those names ring a bell? Jones and Roy Williams have shown the potential to be impact players in the NFL, if not potential Pro Bowl candidates. Calhoun was just selected this past draft as the backup to Jones, so taking another running back is highly unlikely. Furrey has proven to be a solid second receiver and the Lions may still be able to get production from Mike Williams yet. Taking another wide receiver on day one is a longshot, particularly with so many other needs to fill.
The idea of selecting a defensive end is intriguing. With the Lions using the Cover 2 defense now, it is imperative that the front four get pressure and allow the linebacker to drop into coverage without the defensive coordinator having to blitz to force quarterbacks into making mistakes. While James Hall is proving that he is the real deal as a pass rusher/run stopper in one package, Kalimba Edwards has not really panned out to be the pure pass rushing threat the Lions had hoped he'd become. Cory Redding is a very good run stopper who does have some pass rush ability, but is more valuable rushing from the inside than the outside on passing downs. Therefore, the idea of getting another defensive end who has speed could be a good idea.
However, there is still more critical needs on this team that can be addressed in the draft. Those positions are along the offensive line and at cornerback. The remaining games of the 2006 season will determine where the priority must lie, but I have a strong feeling it will be at cornerback. Dre' Bly is getting into the part of his contract where his salary becomes more of a burden than the Lions can afford to bear. He has not been very fluid in his adjustment to playing in the Cover 2 defensive scheme, and it seems to highlight his shortcomings as a defender. His run support play is mediocre at best and his zone coverage ability has been lacking. But most importantly, a Cover 2 cornerback needs to be able to jam receivers effectively and be a physical presence. Bly has not shown the knack to alter a receivers timing or path, and he doesn't instill fear in wideouts catching the ball in his zone. He often gives more cushion than is advisable and he doesn't seem to read quarterbacks very well. While getting rid of Bly may not be advisable, selecting a corner in round one will at least give the Lions that option after June 1st of 2007. At the very worst, taking a first round cornerback will add quality depth to a unit that lacks quality at all. Fernando Bryant, whose career in Detroit has been marred by injury and ineffective play, seems to have taken to the Cover 2 defense much better than most would have hoped for. He has been physical and a sure tackler in the open field. His run support has been more than a pleasant surprise.
As for the offensive line, Jeff Backus was just signed to a long term extension, so it is unlikely the team will look to get a starter at left tackle. Dominic Raiola was given an extension in 2005 and his play so far this season has been the best of his career. Jonathon Scott has shown potential to be a solid starter at right tackle for the future. However, Damien Woody has been a disappointment since he was signed to a lucrative free agent contract, and his release may be imminent. Ross Verba has been injured since training camp, so his play in the second half of the season will determine whether the Lions need to address both guard positions this off-season. However, round one is not when you pick a guard, particularly in the top half of the order.
Based on all of the above, I feel that the Lions will take a close look at a big, physical cornerback to either replace Bly or serve as his student for a season. Marcus MacCauley of Fresno State is the likely candidate to fill that position. Therefore, he is my mock pick for the Lions in the first round of 2007.