Ben Krasner's Website

There’s not a lot that Detroit doesn’t need to work on in the 2010 NFL Draft, but they have been active in free agency and have brought in help at a number of the glaring spots on the roster.  To me this draft needs to be about reaching back to the black and blue division roots, for Detroit.  The defense was atrocious – simply atrocious.  Defense starts and ends up front and the Lions defensive front was a disaster the past two seasons. They also have not protected their defense very well for a number of seasons and need to be able to control the ball on offense better by converting and making first downs by having a better running game to put them in position for better success on 2nd and 3rd downs.  After that, Detroit needs to invest in better athletes at the cornerback and safety positions to help in defending the pass.

Everyone seems to think Ndamukong Suh will be available at the #2 spot and I would hope the Lions would take Suh to make what would seem to be an immediate impact on the defensive front in the way of controlling the line of scrimmage.  That’s my pick, anyway.

In the second round, I would hope the Lions find a decent running back to help make some yardage on the ground.  Detroit is looking for Smith to come back from injury quickly, but in reality I don’t think they have a heck of a lot in Smith as a featured runner anyway.  They need to upgrade this position… the question would be, of course, can you do that in the second round?  Keep in mind that Smith was a second rounder, too.  If they can’t upgrade the RB position, then another pick on defense would make more sense … a cornerback, safety or even an athletic linebacker who can play in space.

With the third round pick, I think you simply address whatever didn’t get addressed in round two or you take whatever the best value is on the board with any other position that could stand a piece of young talent to be added.  Of those not already mentioned, offensive linemen and a craft receiver for the middle of the field would be nice options.

Once they get to the 4th round pick, their last until they pick 4 times in the 7th round, it’s again about value and/or taking guys that have questions sitting out there about them.  But there’s often some good potential in offensive linemen in the 4th round, but anyone you take is a project.  Looking for a great motor and someone very raw, in the 4th round, if you’re looking to improve your roster in the short term.  Otherwise the pick is simply for depth.