Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive back Logan Ryan (11) against Temple Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

With Martin Mayhew and his staff carrying over some of the draft strategy from the previous regime, er circus, of Matt Millen and friends, the irony shouldn’t be lost that the Lions actually may need another wide receiver with the injuries to 2011 second round pick, Ryan Broyles, steady veteran Nate Burleson’s broken leg, and 2010 second round pick Titus Young immaturity.

Let’s pretend Burleson’s right leg fully heals and he makes good on his word that he wants to retire in Detroit, albeit at a pay cut. Furthermore, assume Broyles is fully healed and jumps right back in and continues developing his rapport with Matthew Stafford. What happens with Titus Young is anyone’s guess. Despite what appeared to be the former Boise State standout seemingly pouting his way out of town, it’s still possible the team takes him back.

If those things happen, and even if Burleson and Young don’t return, its obvious Mayhew must do what he’s never done before—spend his first two picks on the defensive side of the ball.

If I had my druthers, this is how things will play out over the three-day bonanza in late April, known as the NFL draft.

1^st round – Manti Te’o, LB, Notre Dame
Height: 6-2
Weight: 255

Forget for a moment all the talk about the leadership and character makeup this Hawaiian will bring to the Lions locker room and huddle. Never mind the unbelievable resolve he showed in East Lansing when he man-handled the Spartans after the passing of both his grandmother and girlfriend within 24 hours only days earlier. Manti Te’o is the best defensive player in this draft. Period.

He has the chance to do for this defense what Chris Spielman did, and then some. Singing the praises of everything Te’o does well could easily fill a couple pages here. To put it rather succinctly, he doesn’t miss tackles. He adds a certain level of intimidation in the middle of the field and he’s very effective on blitzes but just as capable dropping back in coverage.

Te’o is an every-down high impact player. If he’s there at No. 5 overall, the only thing that could screw this up is if Mayhew tries to get cute and stick to his “best player available” theory if he somehow believes the BPA is someone other than Te’o.  Outside of quarterback, wide receiver, and defensive tackle, it would be hard to argue against Mayhew’s normal BPA strategy because the Lions simply lack the talent at so many positions. However, if Te’o is there he simply can’t be passed up.

For all the naysayers, especially those quick to jump off the Te’o bandwagon after a pretty average showing against Alabama in the National Championship game, ‘Good Riddance’, I say to you! Even though he still came up with 10 tackles, Te’o missed more tackles in this game than he did all season.

Who knows, maybe everything takes a fortuitous turn in the Lions favor, and the hype slows down come early spring and Mayhew can add that elusive fourth rounder by moving back a few spots by swapping picks with the Buffalo Bills or New York Jets, 8^th and 9^th overall, respectively.

Dec 9, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; Detroit Lions DE Cliff Avril (92). Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

It wasn’t easy. Going back through the Lions last 20 years of drafts merely confirmed what Lions fans know all too well—year after painstaking year of a systematic failure to build the core of a competitive roster through the NFL draft.

The criteria for this list was straightforward:

1. Player had to be drafted in the last 20 years between 1992-2011. Too soon to tell the impact Riley Reiff and his fellow Lions’ draft picks will have
2. Player must have enjoyed some sort of longevity in his career (i.e. more than one or two seasons)

1^st round – Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech (2007)

You don’t earn the nickname “Megatron” unless you are, well, a well-oiled robotic machine tuned for superior athletic prowess. Johnson just broke Jerry Rice’s receiving yards record and about a half-dozen others in his 225-yard explosion against Atlanta—in Week 15. Next up is the very real possibility of eclipsing the 2,000 yard mark—scary good.

2^nd round – Dominic Raiola, C, Nebraska (2001)

Raiola has his fair share of critics but it’s hard to argue against some of the positives this former Cornhusker has brought to Motown:

• Dependable and Tough: Raiola has only missed four games to injury (2008) throughout his 12-year career
• Leadership: Being outspoken, albeit too much at times, and not afraid to call out aloof teammates has earned him the role of unofficial clubhouse leader by default via the media and fan base and even his teammates as a team-voted captain since 2006.

3^rd round – Cliff Avril, DE, Purdue (2008)

Avril is one of the league’s upper echelon pass rushers who, at 26, is just now entering his prime. He will be one of the very difficult personnel decisions awaiting Martin Mayhew and Jim Schwartz this offseason after receiving the franchise tag last offseason. Team President and salary cap wizard Tom Lewand does not have much wiggle room under the cap next year.

With prototypical size (6-3, 265) to go with his elite speed and quickness, Avril has continuously raised his level of production every season since his debut in 2008 in which he was named to the Sporting News All-Rookie Team. In 2011, Avril totaled 36 tackles, 11 sacks, six forced fumbles, three fumbles recovered, and an interception which he returned for a touchdown.

4^th round – Sammie Lee Hill, DT, Stillman College (2009)

Helping the pride of Stillman College appear on this list is partially due to the fact the Lions three most recent General Managers, mostly due to previous years or draft-day trades, have been without a 4^th round selection. Hill, only 26, is just now rounding into form as a dependable  part of one the league’s best defensive line rotations. As a lane-clogging defensive tackle, he could start for a handful of teams right now but has his snaps limited by the dominating Ndamakong Suh and emerging young star, Nick Fairley.

5^th round – Stephen Boyd, LB, Boston College (1995)

Being the backup and heir replacement to one of the most iconic and beloved players is not an easy position to be in. But Boyd stepped in to fill the void Chris Spielman left in 1996 when he signed with Buffalo. The Lions defense didn’t skip a beat as Boyd went on to lead the team in tackles four consecutive years while being selected as a Pro Bowl alternate in three of those seasons.

6^th round – Corey Schlesinger, RB/FB, Nebraska (1995)

When he wasn’t initiating, and mostly winning, head-on collisions as a road-grinder fullback Schlesinger was a special teams dynamo. A humble, bring your lunch-pail to work kind of work ethic, Schlesinger endeared himself to gain the affinity and respect of Lions fans. He eventually earned more national recognition being named to three consecutive Pro Bowls (2003-2005) as an alternate. He currently teaches a CAD and drafting class at Allen Park High School—the same Allen Park the Lions team facilities are located. Talk about a fan favorite riding off into the sunset as a local high school teacher—great way to transition back into a community by a beloved former Lions player at a time when too many people, former athletes and everyday citizens alike, left that area at their first opportunity.

7^th round – Since there are no noteworthy Lions players taken in this round in the last 20 years, an exception was made to include the 8^th round

8^th round – Willie Clay, DB, Georgia Tech (1992)

Willie “Big Play” Clay had a nice career—certainly one that far surpassed expectations reserved for prospects drafted much earlier. The Pittsburgh native went on to play three seasons in New England (1996-1998) and New Orleans (1999).

Clay started all 16 games in the 2004 and 2005 seasons for Detroit at strong safety. He was outstanding as he tallied 109 tackles, 11 interceptions, and three forced fumbles combined.