The FanSided Network is proud to introduce Draft Pulse, an innovating way to look at the NFL Draft. It isn’t about predicting what will happen, per se, it’s about listening to the masses. From the Draft Pulse “about” section:

We are tracking all of the prospects in the 2012 Combine / Draft across multiple media. Every time a prospect is mentioned in context with an NFL team a relationship is created.

Not all “mentions” are positive and Draft Pulse understand that:

Finally we are doing some sentiment analysis on every mention to generate a media reception indicator. This gives you an idea of an overall positive or negative perception.

What players are generating a lot of buzz as far as the Lions are concerned?

Janoris Jenkins leads the way with over 600 connections between him and the Lions recorded by Draft Pulse. Dre Kirkpatrick comes in second with 410 while LaMichael James is a surprise number three with 380. James won’t be a player for the Lions at 23rd overall but the strong buzz suggests he could be at target on day two. Mike Adams (259 connections), Stephon Gilmore (244), Jonathan Martin (205) and Whitney Mercilus (181) round out the list of first round options with strong ties to the Lions.

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Phil Sears-US PRESSWIRE

The NFL Combine gets underway in just a couple days. I reached out to Jesse Bartolis, co-editor of NFL Mocks, to give us a quick primer on what we should pay attention to from a Detroit Lions perspective. As you will soon read, Jesse was quite thorough and packed in a lot of information for us (thank you, Jesse!). That’s why I decided to split the Q&A into two parts. Part two has also been posted.

Zac Snyder: Who are a few offensive lineman Lions fans should pay attention to during the Combine and what would constitute a good showing for each?

Jess Bartolis: First, the things you want to pay attention to with offensive linemen are different than other prospects.  The “40 yard dash” of offensive linemen is the weigh-in. As boring as that sounds. Arm Length and hand size are a NFL linemen’s speed. You just want to make sure in the drills that players don’t look stiff. Measuring long is important though.

The first to pay attention to is Mike Adams out of Ohio State. Adams looks the part, he’s big, long, and has pretty quick feet. Teams will makes sure that Adams is in shape. They’ll be watching closely to see if he is truly athletic enough to play LT, many consider him more of a RT. And he’ll also have to impress in the interviews. He was apart of the Ohio State Scandal. I like Adams’ talent and think he ultimately ends up a top 20 pick, but he could fall to the Lions.

Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Konz is not getting enough publicity, but I think he is much better than Mike Pouncey was last year. Interior OL have been going higher and higher in the draft so he might not be available when the Lions pick 23rd overall, but he could be. A good showing for him is again to show better than anticipated athleticism. He’s a big center, more in the mold of a Nick Mangold.

Kelechi Osmele and Cordy Glenn, OL

Each team has to decide if these players are guard or tackles.

Glenn has to be in shape. He’s a very big man a guy many think can only play guard. He has to show that he has the lateral ability and explosiveness to play tackle. He played LT at Georgia I think he fits best as a RT in a power scheme (like the Jets want to be).

Osemele is from Iowa State. He’s a long athletic guy, how strong is he? How well does he bend? I’d expect him to run pretty well. It’s the strength and technique you’re looking a

Amini Silatalou and Matt Mcants

Hailing from Midwestern State and UAB respectively but few have seen them play. This is their chance to showcase their stuff. Silatlou especially.

Matt Reynolds, T, BYU

Is an experienced strong player who at one point had 1st round label, but now is seen more as an early day three pick. If he has long arms and looks athletic he can get back into the day two conversation. He is really functionally strong. A right tackle prospect.