Detroit Lions: Re-Drafting the Martin Mayhew Era
By Mike Payton
2012
Dec 21, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Detroit Lions tackle Riley Reiff (71) during the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Iowa. Riley Reiff. 1. player. 50. <em><strong>Original Pick: Riley Reiff</strong></em>. Offensive Tackle
This pick still makes sense to me. The Lions needed a tackle to come in and replace the retiring Jeff Backus and Riley Reiff was and still is the best option left on the board in this draft. You can pretty much expect the Lions to address the offensive line in this spring’s draft. Likely taking a left tackle in the first or second round will move Riley over to right tackle where, frankly, he belongs.
September 14, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Antonio Smith (94) against Houston Texans guard Ben Jones (60) during the second quarter at O.co Coliseum. The Texans defeated the Raiders 30-14. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
50. <em><strong>Original pick: Ryan Broyles</strong></em>. Center. Georiga. Ben Jones. 2. player
Ok Ben Jones isn’t the greatest center in the NFL. But as it stands, he’s a much better option than Travis Swanson. Right now Jones starts at right guard for the Texans, but came into the league as a center and was the back up for many years until he moved over to the right. The Lions need someone to protect Matthew Stafford, Jones and Reiff are a decent start.
Oct 1, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker (9) is congratulated by holder Sam Koch (4) after kicking the game-winning field goal against the Pittsburgh Steelers during overtime at Heinz Field. The Ravens won the game, 23-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports
50. <em><strong>Original pick: Bill Bentley</strong></em>. Kicker. Texas. Justin Tucker. 3. player
I know what you’re thinking. “A kicker in the third round? What’s Mike drinking today?” The Lions have gone through five different kickers since 2012. While they do have Matt Prater now and he’s pretty much automatic most of the time. The Lions can erase all the previous kicking woes by taking one of the best kickers in the NFL here in the third round. Say what you will about kickers, but they are people too.
Other notable players Lions missed: Alshon Jeffery, Bobby Wagner, T.Y. Hilton, Alfred Morris.
Next: 2013