Marko Mitchell Claimed By Lions

The Lions have used the waiver wire yet again to make a claim on another talented prospect. On Monday the Redskins released wide receiver Marko Mitchell, today, he finds himself employed by the Detroit Lions.

A former seventh round pick out of Nevada, Mitchell is 6’4″ tall with decent hands and what scouts have called playmaker ability. At the 2009 combine, Mitchell ran a 4.46 40 yard dash.  According to FFToolBox, Mitchell could develop into an NFL talent.

"Has a big frame, but is slim and needs to add weight. Good speed for size (4.48). Good separation speed and technique. Will out leap defenders. Good balance. Big, strong set of hands. Very confident. Is very raw. Needs to improve his route running. Blocking leaves a lot to be desired. Not the most physical player out there. Could use more time in the weight room.Mitchell is a big time prospect. He possesses the physical ability to excel at the next level. He is a big play WR; his route running and blocking needs work, but you can teach these traits. If he continues to mature, Mitchell could find himself at the upper echelon of the 2009 class of wide receivers."

According to Clinton Portis, Mitchell has the ability to show up even some of the best corners in the league. During last year’s training camp, Portis came out and told the local media that Marko Mitchell was just the surprise the team needed, and that he was beating corner Carlos Rogers all camp long.

"“He killing him,” Portis said. “They keep trying to fight him. He ain’t backing down. He done dogged Smoot, he dogged D Hall, now he making an example out of Carlos.”"

Mitchell averaged 18 yards per catch at the University of Nevad, but was considered one of the biggest dissapointments during the East-West Shrine game in 2009.  He played in ten games last season for the Redskins and made for catches for a total of 32 yards.

Martin Mayhew has made it clear he will add talent if he thinks it will improve the team, but this begs the question, “why didn’t you draft a receiver higher in the draft?”

Many fans are upset that there was no outreach to Blair White, a local receiver who grew up in Saginaw and has quickly developed into quite a talent. White is now a member of the Indianapolis Colts.

The Lions undoubtedly needed more depth at the position and Mitchell could still even provide a great weapon on the practice squad if he doesn’t make the team. This move also makes veterans Bryant Johnson and Dennis Northcutt a lot more expendable.

Lions Prowl:

— The Bengals are reportedly close to signing Adam ‘Pacman’ Jones to a multi-year deal according to Pro Football Talk.  If I were to guess, the Lions were probably never even close to considering a deal with him. The text messages between Jones and head coach Jim Schwartz just don’t seem anything close to recruiting talks.

— Jahvid Best is excited for his possibilities here in Detroit. Best showed his thoughts on his roles today in the Detroit News.  “I like being able to be put in any position on the field. It’s a challenge, but it’s one I look forward too,” Best said of the role the Lions have planned for him. In the article, Best explains the meaning behind his first name, which is rather interesting.

From The Detroit News: http://www.detnews.com/article/20100505/SPORTS0101/5050344/1126/sports0101/Jahvid-Best-is-excited-for-possibilities#ixzz0n55ZZscF