With pick No. 2 in the BBV Mock Draft, the Lions select ...

by Ed Valentine on Mar 16, 2010 1:00 PM EDT in 2010 NFL Draft Comment 51 comments

Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska.

Selecting for Detroit was 'soulpower.' He writes:

1. Arguably the best player in the draft

2. Fills a glaring need on defense.

The Lions have finished LAST in total defense for THREE YEARS in a row. This pick HAD to be about defense, and coach Schwartz likes to draft BPA (per a Yahoo! article I read) so he gets the best of both worlds.

It's not like the Lions aren't trying... they have been able at times to put points on the board with a rookie QB, TE and young WR, with a negligible running game. They just couldn't stop anyone.

Looking at the defense, sure they did a lot in FA do try and shore it up a bit -- and on the Internet you could find some calls for Okung here to keep Stafford upright.

But I think that is more of a learning curve than on the OL (but what do I know).

Looking at the pass rush -- a definite must have -- the Lions are trying. Look at the stats and you will see their DEs and Julian Peterson had somewhere around the 5ish sack mark despite all this. Put Suh in and some of those 5s become 7s or 10s. An instant upgrade in the pass rush improves coverage and may have made the difference in at least a couple of games last year.

My take: This is the right pick, and pretty much a no-brainer for Detroit as the Lions get the most dominant player in the draft. On the heels of selecting QB Matt Stafford No. 1 overall in 2009 Detroit appears to have done exceedingly well with its top picks two years in a row.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with 'i_formation27' selecting, are on the clock in our BBV Community Mock Draft. By the way, to read previous explanations of player selections click the highlighted player name.

Pos	Team	Player	Pos	School	Drafter
1	St. Louis	Sam Bradford	QB	Oklahoma	Soldier_
2	Detroit	Ndamukong Suh	DT	Nebraska	soulpower
3	Tampa Bay				i_formation27
4	Washington				G Fan in England
5	Kansas City				ronjohnson
6	Seattle				CCE718
7	Cleveland				GreatGatsby
8	Oakland				Hoyadestroya85
9	Buffalo				The Greek
10	Jacksonville				jp2y
11	Denver				NYG_Slater
12	Miami				sunlion333
13	San Francisco				RIPShea
14	Seattle				CCE718
15	N.Y. Giants				Ed Valentine
16	Tennessee				Jason??
17	San Francisco				RIPShea
18	Pittsburgh				ross_stephen
19	Atlanta				daddyzander
20	Houston				BitterEli
21	Cincinnati				Woogie526
22	New England				Ryan Valentine
23	Green Bay				Dan Luibil
24	Philadelphia				Bye Dawk
25	Baltimore				Larry Soprano
26	Arizona				Snipah
27	Dallas				pataroons
28	San Diego				hakeemthedream
29	N.Y. Jets				Brooklyn58
30	Minnesota				hurikaine
31	Indianapolis				Charles L.
32	New Orleans				GiantsReignSupreme

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Comments

Not much to say

No matter what happens #1, I think you’d be hard pressed to find anyone putting Detroit down for someone other than Suh or McCoy.

Nice breakdown, though, soulpower, I enjoyed your detailed explanation.

by TNYFBG on Mar 16, 2010 1:30 PM EDT reply actions

arigato

NYジャイアンツ頑張れ！

by soulpower on Mar 17, 2010 7:40 AM EDT up reply actions

This draft

really starts to get interesting around picks 4-5-6. To me, that’s when things really begin to start shaking loose.

by Ed Valentine on Mar 16, 2010 1:33 PM EDT reply actions

Do the Lions

really have that much faith in Brackus (spelling?). They acquired a very productive DT via trade already and I feel that position is pretty deep in this years class (Suh,McCoy,Williams,Price, Jones etc) and with Suh’s past injuries I don’t see how they can pass on Russell Okung to prevent Stafford from getting killed again. Maybe I’m in the minority but Okung is the one standout left tackle in this draft and Detroit needs him.

by RIPShea on Mar 16, 2010 1:38 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Who do you mean?

Who is Brackus?

by Great Gatsby on Mar 16, 2010 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Jeff Backus

LT for the Lions

by mclaren_is_the_best on Mar 16, 2010 2:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Jeff Backus

Lions Coach Jim Schwartz has already said at the Combine that Backus could move to Left Guard..that tells me something right there. Backus has been the LT since 2001 and he hasn’t been too great the past few years either. He’s a good run-blocking lineman so he should be better on the inside.

by RIPShea on Mar 16, 2010 2:03 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I hope the Lions do take Okung

so the Skins don’t take him

by mclaren_is_the_best on Mar 16, 2010 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions

and it could set the ball rolling for McCoy to start falling

down to us

by mclaren_is_the_best on Mar 16, 2010 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions

I'd bet a million to one against that happening

Consensus top 3 talent at #15?? If that happens, it would only be if something had gone very wrong (i.e. blows out his knee)

by BitterEli on Mar 16, 2010 9:51 PM EDT up reply actions

That would be a miracle!

"I'm not a scratch golfer. I don't know how to bowl. I can't read the stock market. Hell, I have a hard time rememberingmy wife's cell phone number. But I can call 'Flip right double X jet 36 counter naked waggle at 7 X quarter' in my sleep" - Gruden

by I_Formation27 on Mar 17, 2010 9:38 AM EDT up reply actions

I think he meant Jeff Backus, the OT

and yeah, they L-O-V-E the guy, even though he is not what I would consider an “above-average” tackle. I agree they SHOULD address the position, although I agree with this pick completely. Suh would be such a dominant force right away, and it seems the OT position is just as deep in this draft, with little falloff after Okung. It’s completely possible a first round talent could slip into the 2nd round for the Lions to scoop up (a la William Beatty?)

by RealLT on Mar 16, 2010 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Doesn’t seem likely this year. There’s way too many teams in need of LT’s and after the first couple (Okung, Campbell, Davis, Brown, Bulaga, Williams) who’ll definitely go in the first round, the rest are late 2nd to 3rd rounders who project to RT or are serious projects from inferior programs (Washington and Veldheer).

(Though I’m praying for one of them to slip to the Colts at 31, would make my pick easier.)

by Charles L on Mar 16, 2010 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Jeff Sackus you mean?

Master of the squeegee

by FreeBradshaw on Mar 16, 2010 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Not often you get a better player at #2 than the #1 pick...

but this is one of those occasions.

by Cranky50 on Mar 16, 2010 1:50 PM EDT reply actions

Walter Football also reiterates:

“MARCH 16 UPDATE: MLive’s Tom Kowalski confirmed that Jeff Backus will move to left guard if the Lions select Russell Okung. Drafting Okung would give Detroit two desperately needed massive upgrades on the offensive front. The front office must protect Matthew Stafford, and Ndamukong Suh offers poor positional value at No. 2 overall. "

by RealLT on Mar 16, 2010 2:06 PM EDT reply actions

at least I wasn’t totally crazy.

by RIPShea on Mar 16, 2010 2:31 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

^this

kinda like the Rams wouldn’t be all that smart selecting Suh (even if he’s BPA)..the Lions wouldn’t be all that smart either.

Sackus sucks, regardless of what the team thinks. Russell Okung was an elite OT his whole career for the most part, and proved he’s an elite athlete at the combine (with his arm length and bench reps…basically the strongest player in the draft)

Positional value is basically QB #1, LT #2. The Lions can help their secondary and DL out in the 2-4 range.

Only team that lucks out is the Bucs (at least they should) They have a decent OL (Donald Penn is pretty good at LT even if he looks like a walrus) and they could use bascically any of Suh, McCoy or Berry

Master of the squeegee

by FreeBradshaw on Mar 16, 2010 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Lions talking to Hargrove

If they can address their DT needs by picking up an RFA that frees them to take Okung, who is the cream of the tackle crop. I do believe there is a drop in tackle quality after Okung. The rare thing this year is the clump of second tier guys, but still will they be around by the Lions next pick?

by bigblue777 on Mar 16, 2010 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions

I doubt it

Okung, Bulaga are locks.

Trent Williams and Bruce Campbell had too good of workouts to go drop that far.

Charles Brown weight in at 303, which was his only concern..he’s too good to slip (played at 285lbs at USC).

Anthony Davis may be Andre Smith’ing around, but he’s also too good.

Unless they really wanna reach for someone like Saffold (..if he’s there, Colts may draft him if no one’s left from the top) or maybe they wanna keep Sackus at LT (…why, I dunno) and draft an OG.

They should go Okung and then go with someone like Cam Thomas in round 2 (I’ve heard the Lions only want gigantic DT’s, and Cam is Big)

Master of the squeegee

by FreeBradshaw on Mar 16, 2010 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions

I like that strategy, but are the Lions picking too high in the second for Thomas?

Bleeding Blue since 1962

by sunlion333 on Mar 16, 2010 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Cam Thomas is 6"4 330

and isn’t just a fat pile. Teams seems to reach for the bigguns like that.

I’ve seen him in the 2nd to the Bills, Dolphins or Broncos (depending on who got Dan Williams in the first.

Most have him ahead of Terrence Cody..tho Cody could be the pick too.

I was just going by the idea that Gunthar Cunningham was quoted saying he likes gigantic DT’s, so I’d think they’d draft Thomas or Cody over someone like Lamarr Houston.

Seems dumb to me to draft based on weight…..but Gunther’s a bit out dated as a DC anyway.

If they like Cam, they go in round 2.

Master of the squeegee

by FreeBradshaw on Mar 16, 2010 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, philosophy of the guy making the personnel decisions weighs heavily.

I like Cam Thomas and seriously wouldn’t mind the pick for US in the second. I just think we have more leverage trading with 3-4 teams if they want to move up to grab a big Fat Boy, and we could steal Houston later in the round.

Cam just grades a tad lower then #34.

Bleeding Blue since 1962

by sunlion333 on Mar 16, 2010 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions

But with all the 3-4 teams and teams converting

Every Fat Boy may have a suitor earlier than expected.

Bleeding Blue since 1962

by sunlion333 on Mar 16, 2010 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions

exactly

if they want Cam Thomas…simply, they gotta go round 2.

Cuz I think Cam’s floor will be the Chargers in round 2. No lower then that.

I don’t even think my 3rd round gem, Linval Joseph, will fall. The athleticism a 6"5 320lbs dude showed at the combine will make Al Davis’s salivate.

Master of the squeegee

by FreeBradshaw on Mar 16, 2010 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Its good for us

because athletic guys like Houston and Arthur Jones are more likely to drop for us to take.

by mclaren_is_the_best on Mar 16, 2010 5:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Some are talking Houston as a NT/3tek hybrid.

I like it. His off field stuff just drops him into our laps.

Bleeding Blue since 1962

by sunlion333 on Mar 16, 2010 5:42 PM EDT up reply actions

I think he is definitely better as 3-tech

by mclaren_is_the_best on Mar 16, 2010 6:14 PM EDT up reply actions

He seems like a 3 tech to me

I think sometimes people are stretching and reaching to find a NT because there just aren’t that many beasts.

by bigblue777 on Mar 16, 2010 8:54 PM EDT up reply actions

I think the Lions take Okung. You have to protect your investment from last year. Plus there are plenty of DT’s to be had in this draft.

by Giants56 on Mar 16, 2010 2:29 PM EDT reply actions

I agree free

The Lions better take a LT unless they expect Stafford to tough it out and risk re injuring that shoulder every 2 games. Okung is right there and i would snatch him up…… Plus the Lions D might be better once the offense scores more. There is no point of having that fast RB (forgot his name), Pettigrew and C.Johnson if you cant even keep stafford up right.

But dont tell em i told you that !!!!!

by Blue Gates on Mar 16, 2010 3:21 PM EDT reply actions

Also for what it's worth

Okung and Pettigrew played with each other a few years. They played along side each other as well and that transition might just be a little easier with Pettigrew on the line with him.

by RIPShea on Mar 16, 2010 3:47 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Suh is the big splash pick here, but Okung would've been the smarter pick.

There’s a ton of DT depth in this draft and a franchise LT doesn’t fall into your lap that often. Draft Okung and he will anchore that line for 10 years +.

Bleeding Blue since 1962

by sunlion333 on Mar 16, 2010 3:54 PM EDT reply actions

Wait

So they’re not using their top 5 pick on a WR this year? They must be serious about winning 3 games in 2010!

by DukBudr on Mar 16, 2010 4:20 PM EDT reply actions

I think that's a tenet of the post Millen years.

Bleeding Blue since 1962

by sunlion333 on Mar 16, 2010 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions

How come I am not on that spreadsheet what am I..Woody Johnson?

"When I was a boy and had no sense I got my pecker stuck in an electric fence..Well it curled my hair and tickled my balls, and made me shit in my overalls"

by Bobbiblue on Mar 16, 2010 4:28 PM EDT reply actions

If you're picking for the Bears, Bobbi, you don't have a pick in Rd. 1

Bleeding Blue since 1962

by sunlion333 on Mar 16, 2010 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh..well..

This is my first draft segment with you guys so I don’t know how it works..I guess I’ll just watch and learn..

"When I was a boy and had no sense I got my pecker stuck in an electric fence..Well it curled my hair and tickled my balls, and made me shit in my overalls"

by Bobbiblue on Mar 16, 2010 9:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Do we really have to wait for I_formation's pick?

Just put McCoy’s name in there and get it over with. We know Tampa was going to take Suh or McCoy, so……..

Bleeding Blue since 1962

by sunlion333 on Mar 16, 2010 4:34 PM EDT reply actions

you'll wait and like it bwahahaha

by I_Formation27 on Mar 16, 2010 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions

LOL!

Bleeding Blue since 1962

by sunlion333 on Mar 16, 2010 5:22 PM EDT up reply actions

I emailed my pick already though...

Ed is probably writing up some juicy draft prospect profiles for us to read or something!

by I_Formation27 on Mar 16, 2010 5:30 PM EDT up reply actions

I think G_fan has got his in already as well.

Bleeding Blue since 1962

by sunlion333 on Mar 16, 2010 5:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Not yet

Still deciding if I am Dan or Mike.

by G Fan in England on Mar 16, 2010 5:35 PM EDT up reply actions

I believe Dan had to take a back seat to get Shanahan to come on board.

It’s all Mike, all the way.

Bleeding Blue since 1962

by sunlion333 on Mar 16, 2010 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Now I have

that cleared up I am down to 3 or was it 4 players to choose from!

by G Fan in England on Mar 16, 2010 5:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Not sure

about those two first picks. I think that the Rams should go Suh first, he is much superior talent and will have an impact right away and make their d pretty formidable with Long, Carriker, Laurenitis and Suh. And it would be pretty silly to put a fragile quarterback behind an invisible o-line that allowed Bulger to get beaten like a rented mule. They can just get Colt McCoy with their second round pick and let him blossom into their franchise qb. Then go with DB’s and OL the rest of the draft.
And for the Lions, provided the Rams take Suh, I think should go with an OL. They have their franchise QB and need to give him much more protection. Their is plenty of depth at DT that they can get someone later in the draft.

by TomCarvel on Mar 16, 2010 4:40 PM EDT reply actions