Options For The Detroit Lions On Draft Day
The NFL Draft is finally here fans and in a few hours we will finally find out what the Detroit Lions do with their first round pick. There has been a lot of speculation that the Lions will take Eric Fisher, Ziggy Ansah, or Dee Milliner, but as we know anything can happen on draft day. Here are a couple of directions I think the Lions may go in the 2013 NFL Draft:
Apr 26, 2012; New York, NY, USA; A general view of the 2012 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports
Lions stay put at five:
If this is the case the Lions will be hoping that either Eric Fisher or Luke Joeckel falls in their lap at five. If neither of those tackles are on the board that leaves the Lions looking at either Cornerback Dee Milliner and defensive end Ziggy Ansah.
My guess is that both tackles are off the board and the Lions choose to fill a position of need with the best player available, and that is Dee Milliner.
Lions Trade Back:
I think this is the most likely scenario tonight. The Jets have two picks, the 9th and 13th overall and the Bills have the 8th overall pick. Both teams are rumored to be interested in Ryan Nassib so it’s possible the Jets could try to make a move to leap-frog the Bills to pick up Nassib and use their other pick to address an area of need.
I also think the Lions could swing a deal sending the 5th overall pick and future or current high round picks to the Jets in exchange for the 9th and 13th pick.
Why would the Lions do this?
I think the Lions are going to be in play for Tavon Austin on draft night, and making this move puts them in great position to draft Tavon Austin and add a player in a position of need like Barkevious Mingo or Dee Milliner. Call me crazy, but I think there are just too many players in the Lions organization that are enticed by Austin and the idea of pairing him with Reggie Bush, Matthew Stafford, and Calvin Johnson.
In an article last week, I had this to say about Austin, “His cutting ability and creativity is unparalleled. It’s the closet thing we’ve seen to Barry Sanders since his days in Detroit.” I’m not the only one that’s high on Austin here are a few quotes from some experts about Tavon Austin:
“He’s the second coming of Barry Sanders” -Stephan A. Smith
“He’s the best offensive player in this draft” -John Gruden
“He’s the most sudden athlete I’ve ever evaluated, ever. Speed combined with quickness.” – Todd McShay
I think that it is most likely the Lions trade back. There’s a strong chance that one or two quarterbacks shoot up the draft boards leading me to believe that trading back will be the Lions best option and the most likely with both tackles likely off the board.
When it’s all said and done I think the Lions take Tavon Austin and either Dee Milliner or a top pass rusher.