Would the Detroit Lions select Chance Warmack or Jonathan Cooper fifth overall in the 2013 NFL Draft? Photo Credit: USA Today Sports Images

With just one week remaining until the 2013 NFL Draft, it seems that most Detroit Lions fans have zeroed in on an offensive tackle (most likely Eric Fisher) as the preferred fifth overall pick, with BYU defensive end Ezekiel Ansah as the preferred backup plan.

But a report from Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports says that an entirely different position could be in play:

If the Lions can’t trade down, they are seriously looking at guards — and, again, think safe. Alabama’s Chase Warmack is considered by some to be one of the best talents in this draft, and Jonathan Cooper of UNC would both be in play at that pick, and though interior offensive lineman usually are pushed down the draft board, that may change for this unusual class.

The current CBA makes picking a guard financial viable but many still wonder if it makes sense from a positional value standpoint. Teams picking high in the draft are looking for players that can have a big impact on their team, is guard really an impact position?

Draft history says no. It was just last year that David DeCastro was talked up as a rare prospect who could break into the top ten. It didn’t happen; the Steelers took DeCastro 24th overall.

Feb 1, 2012; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Christian Barrett poses in front of a mock NFL draft set during Play 60 Kids Day at the NFL Experience at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

This scenario only makes sense if both Luke Joeckel and Eric Fisher are already off the board by the time that the Eagles pick  fourth overall, which seems unlikely as the Chiefs are the only team drafting one through three that has a serious need at tackle. That leaves the Dolphins with two trade partners: the Eagles and Lions. Both teams aren’t necessarily set on who they want to draft so both would be intriguing trade partners. My guess is that if the Dolphins had a choice of who they’d rather trade with it’d be the Lions, because of Lane Johnson’s tremendous upside.

So the question is, is trading down still a viable option for the Lions with all the shuffling along the offensive line?

Left tackle Jeff Backus retired, the Lions lost right tackle Gosder Cherilus to free agency and guard Stephen Peterman was released. So to answer the question above, no, trading down would not be a viable option unless you think there’s a chance that offensive guard Chance Warmack is still around, who visited with the Lions on Monday. Would that be worth the risk for an extra second round pick?

The 2013 draft is filled with talent along the offensive and defensive line and the Lions could certainly use help both places. But when you have a chance to draft a player that’s as close to a can’t miss prospect as Eric Fisher then I don’t think you should trade it away.

One more trade partner the Lions could have is the New York Jets who currently have the ninth overall selection and may add the 13th pick from the Buccaneers in exchange for Darrelle Revis. Would the Lions be willing to trade back four spots and acquire an additional second round pick in exchange for missing a franchise left tackle in Luke Joeckel or Eric Fisher? I’m not sure, but there is a ton of talent along both the offensive and defensive lines in the draft and if the Jets lose Revis they would likely want to replace him with someone as talented as Milliner. We also know that Rex Ryan’s defense is predicated on pressure and I the top two defensive ends in Dion Jordan and Ziggy Ansah may not be around if the Jets stay put, making the Jets one of the most likely teams to trade up.

Let’s see how things shake out on draft day.

Feb 22, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Alabama offensive lineman Chance Warmack speaks at a press conference during the 2013 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Consider this from a recent NFL Draft prospect evaluation:

He could be one of the highest draft picks at the guard position in recent years, and he could easily go in the top 10.

Sound like Chance Warmack? Think again, that’s from last year’s combine profile on David DeCastro. Those that watched the television coverage will remember Mike Mayock waxing poetically about DeCastro as the guard was routinely used as an example when the group moved to a new position drill.

Now, Warmack is the highly-touted guard making draftniks wonder if he is worthy of a top ten, even top five, pick. Will it happen? You never know, but based on the way the draft went last year, it would likely take a team to believe Warmack is a significantly better prospect than DeCastro, who “fell” to the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 24th pick.

Forgive me for not buying into the hype but there isn’t anything being said about Warmack that wasn’t said about DeCastro a year ago. Every draft is its own beast and without a solid group of top quarterbacks, maybe this is the year it could happen if it ever will again.

As for me, I’ll believe a guard can go in the top five or top ten when I see it.