Apr 26, 2013; Allen Park, MI, USA; Detroit Lions first round draft pick Ezekiel Ansah arrives at the Lions Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Now that the draft has been over for a week and we’ve watched the replay’s a couple of times (What? You don’t watch the draft again after it’s over?), let’s sit back and take an unemotional look at the Detroit Lions first pick in this extremely important make-or-break draft for the Lions front office. I have to make a confession right out of the box. Even though it would have been prudent to take an offensive tackle to protect “the franchise” Matthew Stafford, I really, really wanted Ziggy Ansah in the worst way. I think the Detroit Lions coaching staff felt the same way I did.

Ziggy’s rise to fame is the stuff of Hollywood legend. While Ansah’s story is captivating to the fans like myself, the scouts are more than a little skeptical of a guy who dominated for only one year. I just don’t think that Martin Mayhew and Jim Schwartz see this as much of a gamble. The entire coaching staff spent the entire Senior Bowl week working with Ziggy, and came away convinced that he’s the real deal.

The defensive line coaches are probably salivating over the possibility of teaching Ziggy the finer aspects of hand to hand combat NFL style because the kid is likely to see a lot of single coverage, as Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley demand so much attention. If the guy is all he is advertised to be, then it shouldn’t take him long to make his presence felt.

My main concern about drafting Ziggy is that we’re left with Riley Rieff as the starting left tackle. Doing some research on left tackles since the draft left me feeling better about the Lions decision to forgo taking a left tackle in the draft. It seems the importance of the left tackle position has been in decline for some time. Andy Benoit of Football Outsiders wrote a great article about how because of the evolution of the game, the left tackle position has been rendered ‘almost’ just another offensive lineman. It’s physically impossible for a defensive end to get to the quarterback on the three step drops that dominate the NFL, and the left tackle doesn’t spend that much time on a island like they used to. He’ll get help from TE’s or running backs.

Mayhew said that Ziggy was the third highest rated on his board, meaning that if Lane Johnson was there at five, the Lions STILL would have drafted Ansah. I think Mayhew’s eyes lit up when watching Ansah practice, and with Luke Joeckel likely going first, only Eric Fisher was going to keep him from drafting “The Answer”.

It really makes all the sense in the world to draft Ezekiel Ansah. Mayhew and Schwartz are gambling on the strength of their defensive line to be a difference maker and take them to the promised land. By drafting Ziggy, the’re doubling down on their bet.

Nov 03, 2012; Starkville, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs defensive back Darius Slay (9) points out where he needs a block after making an interception during the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Davis Wade Stadium. Mississippi State Bulldogs defeated the Arkansas Razorbacks 45-14. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden–USA TODAY Sports

Ziggy Ansah- I love Ziggy Ansah. The more research I do about him the more I like him. We all know about his outstanding measurables, 6’5, 271 lbs, with 4.63 speed. Aside from what I’ve seen on the field and at the combine, what really makes me a believer is his outstanding work ethic and humble yet hungry demeanor. He really wants to be the best and he certainly has all the tools physically and mentally to reach his goals.

The top three tackles were off the board so drafting Ansah was the only logical pick the Lions could make at five. With Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley commanding double teams in the middle of the defensive line Ansah finds himself in the perfect situation to succeed while working on his craft.

Grade: Great fit, fills a position of need, and drafted a player in the top five with one of the highest ceilings we’ve seen for defensive end. A-

Darius Slay Some may question why the Lions addressed the cornerback position in the second round with young talent like Bill Bentley, Chris Greenwood, and Jonte Green already on the roster, but I really like this pick. Each of the players listed above are unproven and Slay could very well end up the best cornerback in this draft class. He’s got all the physical tools at 6’0, 200 lbs and he ran a 4.36 forty. He only played two seasons at Mississippi State, but he progressed considerably each year finishing with five interceptions his senior year in the battle tested SEC.

Grade: Much like Ansah, Slay is a bit of a risk based on his lack of football experience, but I’d bet on him to be one of the best cornerbacks in the class, because he has great instincts and a solid NFL frame needed for the position. B

Larry Warford- I don’t think there is an analyst or Lions fan out there that doesn’t like this pick. I projected Warford as a mid-second round pick and for the Lions to pick him up in round three and address an area of need makes this a great value pick. Of the guards in this year’s draft Warford was my favorite because his tremendous size and outstanding run blocking which is exactly what the Lions needed.

Grade: A

Devin Taylor: Picking up a player like Taylor in round four makes a lot of sense. He has the measurables of a first round pick, 6’7, 266 lbs, 4.72 forty time, but his production in college didn’t add up with his physical attributes. With Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley commanding double teams and Ansah and Jones likely starting at the ends, this is a great situation and scheme for Taylor that I ultimately expect him to excel at and eventually start in the next few years. If not, it was worth the risk picking up Taylor that late in the draft.

Grade: B

Sam Martin: There isn’t a whole lot to talk about with Martin, because we don’t know much about him. He had solid stats at Appalachian State, but most of us are curious as to why he was drafted so high. He had a pre-draft visit with the Lions so he obviously impressed the coaches enough for them to select him so high. It will be interesting to how this pick plays out, because getting a punter that can turn the field is a huge asset.

Grade: C-

Corey Fuller: I questioned the Lions addressing the wide receiver position so late in the draft with solid options in rounds 2-5, but given the Lions lack of success in recent drafts in taking receivers early I don’t blame them. In all honesty, the best option for the Lions to draft a receiver early was Justin Hunter, who I believe they would have drafted had the Titans not jumped ahead of the Lions to select him. With that said, Fuller could have a very productive career in Detroit in the Lions vertical offense playing alongside Calvin Johnson, Nate Burleson, and Ryan Broyles. Only real problem is when the Lions will see that production from Fuller who has great size and speed, 6’2, 204 lbs 4.43 forty, but isn’t a great football player yet.

Grade: I envision Fuller starting the season as mostly a return man and special teams player who should get more opportunities as the season progresses. Good developmental player and good value for a sixth round pick. B.

Theo Riddick: Riddick is a good pick up, but hopefully a player we don’t see much of. He has great hands, can line up in the slot, he can run between the tackles, and he may be a a candidate to be a return man, but his role on the team will likely be as a sub for Reggie Bush because of his similar skill-set or in case Bush receives an injury.

Grade: Lions were smart to add another dynamic back and he could work his way into the rotation if Mikel Leshoure or Joique Bell have down years. B

Michael Williams: A productive tight end in the most competitive conference in college football, Williams will be a great asset blocking in the run game and filling the H-back role that Will Heller has played the past few seasons. He should also be a strong option in the red zone with his surprisingly good hands for his 6’5, 278 lbs frame.

Grade: Williams should have a huge impact in the Lions who have struggled scoring touchdowns in the red zone. Just having him on the field in those situations will help the run game, and give the Lions play action game a little more spice. I really like this fit. A

Brandon Hepburn: We don’t know much about Hepburn. He’s got great size for a linebacker at 6’2 ,240 lbs, he ran a 4.68 forty, and he recorded 86 tackles, 5.5 sacks, seven pass break ups, and a forced fumble, and he is a biochemist, a very interesting resume’ to say the least. What I can gather from the limited information I have on Hepburn is that he’s highly intelligent and a good athlete with ideal size. I wouldn’t sleep on this guy, he could pick things up fast and be a very productive football player.

Grade: I expect Hepburn to contribute on special teams right away. With an opening at linebacker thanks to Justin Durant’s departure and Hepburn’s skill-set he may be a sleeper candidate to enter the rotation at linebacker. If he turns out to be nothing more than a special teams player it was still a good pick up and an interesting one to say the least. I have may eye on this kid. B

Overview: This could be the best draft class in the Martin Meyhew era, because of the potential each player has. With that said, these players with high ceilings could turn out to be very average NFL players, bottom line is we just don’t know. Basically Meyhew has bet on his coaching staff to develop these players and I believe that they will. As of right now the Detroit Lions draft class receives a B+.

Best Pick: Ziggy Ansah, DE, BYU round one

Best Value Pick: Larry Warford, OG, Kentucky, round three

Most questionable pick: Sam Martin, P, round five

Most intriguing pick: Darius Slay, CB, Mississippi State

Best NFL career: Ziggy Ansah. He’s the biggest boom or bust player the Lions drafted simply because of where they drafted him. I’m leaning towards him being more boom than bust, because of the situation he’s in. His talents fit perfectly for a 4-3 defensive end and he’ll be playing with two of the most talented defensive tackles in the NFL in Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairely, which should put him in an ideal situation for success.

Worst NFL career: This has to go to Brandon Hepburn. As intrigued as I am about him there are a lot of talented linebackers on the Lions roster already in Tahir Whitehead and Travis Lewis. He played at a small school and small school players have an uphill battle transitioning to the NFL. Odds are against him being anything more than a special teams player.

July 28, 2012; Allen Park, MI, USA; Detroit Lions quarterbacks Shaun Hill (14), Kellen Moore (17), and Matthew Stafford (9) during training camp at the Detroit Lions training facility. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

The 2013 NFL Draft has come and gone, and the Lions came away with eight new players. While filling holes at some positions, others were left alone. Where exactly does this draft leave the Lions depth chart?

The Lions brass seems content to let the coaches continue to develop Kellen Moore as a third quarterback behind Matthew Stafford and Shaun Hill. Quarterback talent dropped in this draft, leaving intriguing prospects such as Tyler Bray (Tennessee) and Matt Scott (Arizona) as undrafted free agents. This may indicate confidence in Moore, or simply may indicate a greater perceived need at different positions in the draft.

The free agent signing of Reggie Bush to complement the likes of Mikel Leshoure and Joique Bell did not leave much space for another running back, but the Lions went ahead and picked up Notre Dame’s Theo Riddick in the sixth round. Initially it appears as though he may spend some time in the Stefan Logan type role as he has experience returning kicks for the Irish. He also spent some time playing slot receiver while at Notre Dame.

The wide receiver position holds a bit of uncertainty for Detroit, despite the return of Calvin Johnson. Both Nate Burleson and Ryan Broyles return from leg injuries, and it is uncertain at this point how much they will be ready to contribute come the regular season. They also return Mike Thomas and Kassim Osgood, though Osgood will serve primarily on special teams. Detroit added Corey Fuller out of Virginia Tech in the sixth round. The Lions view the former track star as an outside complement to Megatron, though he has a long way to go. He does, however, have the size (6’2”, 196) and speed (4.43 seconds in the 40) to compete in training camp.

The Lions added Alabama tight end Michael Williams in the seventh round, and he figures to play third on the depth chart behind Brandon Pettigrew and Tony Scheffler. He’s a block-first tight end and will likely play H-back in Detroit. As of now, he is no threat to replace either Pettigrew or Scheffler in passing situations.

Many fans (including myself) hoped to see an offensive tackle drop the Lions’ first round pick. After missing out on the top three, the Lions did not take a tackle with any of their picks and seem content to let Riley Reiff, Corey Hilliard, and Jason Fox battle it out for the two tackle spots. They did find a great pickup in Larry Warford in the third round and he should battle with Bill Nagy for the right guard spot throughout camp. Rob Sims will hold down the left guard spot, while it looks like Dominic Raiola will be around for another season as the starting center.

As if the defensive end position were not enough of a concern, former Lion Lawrence Jackson signed with the Minnesota Vikings and second-year player Ronnell Lewis was arrested back home in Oklahoma. The Lions have been strong in support of free agent pickup Jason Jones, and many felt Willie Young was primed for a big season last year. Martin Mayhew selected BYU’s Ezekiel “Ziggy” Ansah with the fifth pick of the draft in hopes that the Ghana native can turn some of his athleticism into production in Jim Schwartz’s wide-9 defense. With their fourth round compensatory pick, Detroit added former South Carolina Gamecock Devin Taylor to the mix. Right now I give the slight edge to Ansah and Jones for the starting positions, but Willie Young should push for significant playing time with two years in the system. Ronnell Lewis and rookie Devin Taylor should find themselves battling for the other second string position.

Though Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley remain, the defensive tackle position does not have the same depth we have seen the last few years. Sammie Lee Hill is now a Tennessee Titan and Corey Williams is currently a free agent. Jason Jones spent some time in Seattle playing tackle, while free agent signee CJ Mosley started 13 games for Jacksonville a year ago. Both figure to push for time in the rotation. Practice squad players Jimmy Saddler-Mcqueen and Ogemdi Nwagbuo are outside contender for the fourth defensive tackle spot.

The outside linebacker position has bodies, but not necessarily experienced ones. Tahir Whitehead and Travis Lewis showed some promise last year as rookies, but it looks as though Ashlee Palmer and DeAndre Levy are the favorites to start heading in to camp. They did select Brandon Hepburn out of Florida A&M in the seventh round, but he will have a tough time making it out of camp on the active roster. Stephen Tulloch will be the starting middle linebacker, with perhaps a guy like Carmen Messina pushing for time with the special teams.

The defensive backfield saw a big boost with the addition of Darius Slay via the draft and Glover Quin via free agency. Resigning Louis Delmas was huge, and if (and it’s a big if) he can stay healthy, these three along with Chris Houston could form a very solid defensive backfield. Bill Bentley showed promise last year and I think he is best suited to play in the nickel. Second year guys Jonte Green and Chris Greenwood also have the potential to push for playing time. Amari Spievey returns as a backup safety along with Don Carey, Ricardo Silva, and John Wendling. All four are formidable backups with special teams potential.

Newly signed David Akers and Havard “Kickalicious” Rugland will compete for starting kicking duties, though I personally see Akers winning this position battle pretty easily. Newly acquired fifth round pick Sam Martin should be the day one starter at punter and could win the battle for kickoff duties. Expect Theo Riddick, Joique Bell, and perhaps even Ryan Broyles to compete for return duties.