September 22, 2012; Gainesville FL, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Larry Warford (67) and guard Zach West (75) block against the Florida Gators in the second quarter at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

“This is an awesome Pick”, wrote WalterFootball.com. “This is one of my favorite football players in the entire draft”, shouted Mike Mayock on TV when the Lions drafted him. “This is possibly my favorite pick the Lions made in the 2013 draft”, says Chris Katje of Rant Sports. You would think this universal praise was for when the Lions drafted Ziggy Ansah with the fifth overall pick in last month’s draft, it’s not. All this and more praise has been heaped on the Lions third round choice Larry Warford. It’s crazy that a third round choice is getting so much ink, but to top it off, he plays the most anonymous position on the team, guard. Most casual football fans couldn’t name a guard on their team if their life depended on it.

In all my years watching the Lions, I’ve never seen a third round pick come into town to more hoopla than Larry Warford did last week. Dominic Raiola has already requested that Warford’s locker be placed next to his. Raiola is probably entering his last year as the starting Center and he wants to impart his wisdom on the mammoth rookie every single day. I gotta admit, when the draft was on and they announced the Lions third round pick was Warford, I jumped up and cheered like the Lions just scored a touchdown.

So why is a third round rookie guard being treated like a rock star? He represents a new beginning in Detroit. The birth of a running game. The Lions just couldn’t run the ball when they needed to. The opponents knew it. The fantasy footballers knew it. The Detroit Lions fans surely knew it. When Martin Mayhew said the the offensive line needed upgrading over this past off season. Warford was exactly the kind of guy he was referring to. A refrigerator with legs. Warford represents the new kind of athlete that Mayhew zeroed in on this years draft. The bigger the better.

I think the smart football fan knows that the Detroit Lions have been relying on Matthew Stafford ever since he set foot in this town. The Lions thinking appeared to be, we have a gunslinger and we intend to use him. They spent so many resources on surrounding Stafford with weapons that they neglected the hogs up front who make the running game work.

The previously one-dimentional Lions showed the NFL that by drafting Larry Warford they are no longer just paying lip service about needing to improve their running game, they actually put some weight behind their actions this time.

May 10, 2013; Allen Park, MI, USA; Detroit Lions defensive end Ezekiel Ansah (94) during rookie mini camp at Lions training facility. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

The Lions also added nine players with their picks in the 2013 NFL draft. Let’s take a look at the rookies who have the best chance to succeed this season.

Ziggy Ansah- I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Ziggy Ansah and the Lions are a perfect fit. Most analysts see Ansah as a project with gobs of potential, but question how quickly, if ever, he’ll reach that potential. I see a player with gobs of potential playing alongside two of the best defensive tackles in the NFL in Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley. Ansah may or may not have a huge sack season, but the fact that those three players will be on the field at the same time will create more sacks for a defense who underachieved in that department last season.

Darius Slay- First let’s talk about the surgery he just had and get that out of the way. Forget that Slay just had a surgery on his torn meniscus, it’s a minor procedure that will affect him very little if at all in terms of playing and in terms of learning the system. Last season the Lions dealt with Louis Delmas in and out of the line up due to nagging knee injuries. The surgery should prevent that from being an issue for Slay during the season and should help insure his career in the long run.

Now that that’s out of the way, I expect Slay to be a contributor on the team. I expect him to win the starting job at corner, but even if he doesn’t he should see the field in rotation and in nickle packages and have opportunities to impact games. Another plus in Slay’s game is his elite speed, which the Lions will likely use in kickoff and punt returns. With that said, Slay should have plenty of opportunities to make his presence felt on the field.

Larry Warford- Warford hasn’t played a snap in the NFL or even participated in a training camp, but he seems to be the favorite to take over at right guard and rightfully so. He’s a monster of a lineman at 6’3 330 plus lbs and a prototypical guard, and should greatly improve the Lions mediocre run game. Another area I look for him to improve is in the Lions pass game. Last season, Matthew Stafford received a ton of pressure up the middle in the passing game and with Warford’s massive frame and solid strength he should be able to by Stafford a little more time to get to his playmakers down the field.

Chris Greenwood- He may not be a rookie as he was taken in the fifth round in the 2012 NFL draft, but he didn’t participate in training camp and he didn’t play a down in the NFL due to an abdominal injury. He may be a second year player, but he’s got as much experience on the field as the 2013 rookie class and a ton of potential. Greenwood is one of the most athletic players on the roster at 6’1 with 4.3 speed and a 35 plus inch vertical. He’s had a full season to study the Lions’ playbook and scheme and I expect him to push Slay and Bill Bentley for the starting cornerback job. If Greenwood can stay healthy, I expect him to be an impact for the Lions this season and make a name for himself.

Honorable Mention: Corey Fuller- Fuller gets a mention because Nate Burleson and Ryan Broyles are coming off injuries and because he’s the only receiver currently on the roster who is a vertical threat down the field outside of Calvin Johnson. Fuller should get an opportunity in training camp and in preseason to earn playing time, but I’m concerned about how far away he is in his routes and experience to competing at the NFL level. It will be interesting to watch him develop in the offseason. Who knows, maybe he’ll burst onto the scene like Victor Cruz did two years ago.

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.