Detroit Lions: Re-Drafting the Martin Mayhew Era
By Mike Payton
2011
Oct 18, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Justin Houston (50) celebrates a sack during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at TCF Bank Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Chiefs 16-10. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
<em><strong>Original Pick: Justin Houston</strong></em>. linebacker. Georgia. Justin Houston. 1. player. 50
The Lions are much better off staying as far away as possible from Nick Fairley. Many pundits will point to Fairley as a loss. But most Lions fans know that Fairley was injury prone and lacked motivation in his time in Detroit. Selecting Houston gives the Lions a linebacker that can defend the pass and the run and even line up as a defensive end. Houston is exactly what the Lions want Kyle Van Noy to be.
Oct 11, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (25) against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 27-24. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Cornerback. Stanford. Richard Sherman. 2. player. 50. <em><strong>Original pick: Titus Young</strong></em>
That’s right Lions fans, arguably the best corner back in the NFL fell all the way to the 5th pick in the draft. As crazy as it sounds, this one pick likely means the Lions don’t have to draft three cornerback’s they would likely cut later on, in 2012. Imagine Richard Sherman and Darius Slay along with Jarius Byrd and Glover Quin. That’s quite a dream secondary.
Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
<em><strong>Original pick: Mikel Leshoure</strong></em>. Wide Receiver. Kentucky. Randall Cobb. 3. player. 50
This angers me so much. The Lions had a clear shot at Randall Cobb and decided to go with Titus Young. Cobb is now a Pro Bowl wide receiver and god knows where Titus Young is right now or what he’s doing. At this point the Lions don’t need to select Cobb after selecting Antonio Brown already. I’m doing this pick out of spite.
Other notable players the Lions missed: Mike Pouncey, Cameron Jordan, DeMarco Murray, Jordan Cameron, Julius Thomas.
Next: 2012