23. OT Riley Reiff A
I had Riley Reiff 12th on my board, but I also had Bryan Bulaga high. I had a feeling Reiff, a similar player, could experience a similar fall on draft day and actually had Reiff to the Lions in my 2nd to final mock draft, but moved him back up to 15 (to Jacksonville after a trade down) in my final. The Packers took Bulaga at this exact same spot, 23, 2 years ago and I’d say they’re pretty happy with him. Reiff is a very similar player. He could play their left tackle of the future, but worst case I think he could be a Pro Bowl caliber right tackle or guard, two positions where they also had needs.
54. WR Ryan Broyles A-
I have called Ryan Broyles someone who could be the steal of the draft in the past and I even had a first round grade on him before a nasty knee injury (but the nasty knee injury did prove his value to the Oklahoma offense and his toughness as he was running in the 4.6s just 5 months later). However, even I didn’t see him going this high. I had a high 2nd round grade on him and ranked him as my 5th receiver, so he’s definitely a good value here and he gives the Lions 3 good young receivers for the future in Calvin Johnson, Broyles, and Titus Young. Nate Burleson could be on his way out in 2013, when he’ll be owed 4.5 million in his age 32 season. The only reason this is an A- and not an A is because Peter Konz would have filled a bigger need and was higher on my board.
85. CB Dwight Bentley A-
Cornerback was certainly a need of the Lions, maybe even their biggest as a their poor secondary lost Eric Wright this offseason. Bentley certainly fills a major need, but this is a tad early for him according to my board.
125. DE Ronnell Lewis A
Wow how was Lewis still available? I had a 3rd round grade on him, but he could have gone in the 2nd. He could be a long term starter for them at either defensive end (where Kyle Vanden Bosch is aging) or linebacker (where Justin Durant and DeAndre Levy are both heading into contract years).
138. OLB Tahir Woodhead C
I had Woodhead just outside of my top 250, so this is a pretty big reach. It does help fill a need, however, because of the aforementioned linebackers in contract years.
148. CB Chris Greenwood B
Another 2nd cornerback? Why not, they certainly need it. Greenwood was outside of my top 250, but he was a hot prospect coming into the draft (7 teams worked him out privately) and I obviously didn’t see a lot of tape of him coming from wherever the hell Albion is. I can’t fault them too much for this in the 5th round.
196. CB Jonte Green C+
A 3rd cornerback? That’s pushing it a little. Green also was not in my top 250, but unlike Greenwood, he was not a hot prospect coming into the draft. He didn’t go on any teams visit. Hell, I haven’t even heard of him, one of only 10 or so prospects I hadn’t heard of. This was one of the early ones too.
223. OLB Travis Lewis A
Wow, Travis Lewis in the 7th round? What a steal, even if they already did take one. Lewis could be a starter someday for them.
This wasn’t a perfect draft for the Lions, but in terms of pure talent as compared to their draft position, this might have, top to bottom, been the most talented draft class of any team this year. Riley Reiff could be a Pro Bowl caliber offensive lineman for them someday. He could also start immediately, which is what they really need as they gear up for a Super Bowl run in 2012. Ryan Broyles and Dwight Bentley will be in the mix at cornerback and wide receiver and Broyles could be an above average starter someday. Ronnell Lewis and Travis Lewis could also be starters someday at positions of need.
Grade: A
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