Daniel Thomas (Photo: The Wichita Eagle)

ESPN draft expert Todd McShay released his latest mock draft earlier in the week. It was a three round mock with the Lions selecting Prince Amukamara and Bruce Carter in the first two rounds, two players we’ve already profiled on this site. His pick for the Lions in the third round brought a new name into the discussion, Kansas State running back Daniel Thomas.

Daniel Thomas, RB, Kansas State
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 230 lbs.
Arm Length: 32 3/8 in.
Hand Size: 9 in.
Bench press: 21 reps

NFL.com combine profile overview:

Thomas the combination of size, strength, burst and vision to become a solid NFL starting running back. A lot of his production comes in-between the tackles, picking his lanes, bursting through the hole, staying behind his pads and finishing runs by falling forward for additional yardage. Good in short yardage and goal line situations. Has enough agility to shake some defenders, get the corner and get upfield but isn’t a true home-run threat. Does a very good job in pass protection but may never become a difference-making pass-catching option at the next level. Thomas carries a second round grade and could contribute immediately.

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19 days remain until the event that will bring in a new crop of players that will be expected to contribute to the organization’s ascent. This draft figures to be heavy on the defensive side of the ball. The team’s biggest needs are on defense but that didn’t keep the 2010 Lions from turning in the best defensive performance in recent memory.

The Lions defense had become known for giving up points in bunches. that started to change last season; the team ended ranked 19th in points allowed. That still ranks in the bottom half of the league but is a leaps and bounds improvement compared to the last several seasons. No one gave up more points than the Lions in 2009, 2008 or 2007 and it has been since 2004 that the Lions ranked better than 19th in points allowed.

Players drafted number 19 overall by the Detroit Lions:
Ralph Heywood (1944), Dick Stanfel (1951), Mike Rabold (1959), Steve Owens (1970)

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Detroit seems to be a sinkhole for talent, allowing bright, talented individuals to sink to obscurity within the inept organization. Here are the five worst draft busts the Lions have ever suffered.

From sports.yahoo.com (share this quote)

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