Detroit Lions: Re-Drafting the Martin Mayhew Era
By Mike Payton
2010
Oct 3, 2015; London, United Kingdom; Miami Dolphins president Tom Garfinkel (L) films defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh (93) with a GoPro camera at the 2015 NFL International Series Fan Rally at Trafalgar Square. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
player. 50. <em><strong>Original pick: Ndamukong Suh</strong></em>. Defensive Tackle. Nebraska. Ndamukong Suh. 1
Pretend if you will, that Suh never takes his talents to South Beach and stays in Detroit. Frankly even if Suh still leaves it’s still a can’t miss pick. Suh is best defensive tackle in the NFL. Some will argue that Aaron Donald is the best now, we’ll get to that later though.
Suh is the way to go, even if you now conveniently realize how dirty he is.
Oct 18, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) attempts to catch a pass in the end zone in front of Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) during the second half at Heinz Field. The Steelers won the game, 25-13. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports
Antonio Brown. 2. player. 50. <em><strong>Original pick: Jahvid Best</strong></em>. Wide Receiver. Central Michigan
Let’s be clear here. Everyone missed on Antonio Brown until the Steelers picked him up in the sixth round. Brown is now considered to be one of the best receivers in the NFL today. The Lions would have one heck of a one-two punch with Johnson and Brown and would shore up the Lions classic lack of receivers issues that plagued them until the arrival of Golden Tate.
Oct 18, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks tight end Jimmy Graham (88) reacts after making a reception for a first down against the Carolina Panthers during the second quarter at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Jimmy Graham. 3. player. 50. <em><strong>Original pick: Amari Spivey</strong></em>. Tight End. Miami
Yes Lions fans, this totally could have happened. Graham wound up going late in the third round and the Lions took Amari Spivey. A man that’s made you angry on multiple occasions. The Lions need a tight end after taking McCoy instead of Pettigrew in 2009. Imagine Johnson, Brown, Graham and McCoy. That’s a pretty formidable group.
Other notable player the Lions missed: Rob Gronkowski, Golden Tate, Emmanuel Sanders, NaVorro Bowman, Kam Chancellor, Aaron Hernandez. Ok maybe that last one wasn’t a miss, more of dodge if anything.
Next: 2011