Analyzing The Last 30 Years of Detroit Lions 1st Round Picks

Tackle. . Stockcar McDougle. 20. player. 50. Seriously that’s his real name. He wasn’t around for very long, but he played very well near the end of his stay and help the Lions reach a franchise record of just 11 sacks in a season.

18. player. 50. The only way to sum up Backus’s career in Detroit is to say that half the time everyone hated him, and the other half everyone loved him.. Tackle. Michigan. Jeff Backus

Oregon. Joey Harrington. 3. player. 50. The most hated quarterback to ever put on a Lions jersey. He was just terrible and there really is no other way to put it. He will always be remembered as a bust and for the tie he came back and beat Lions that one time.. Quarterback

player. 50. The man with the glass clavicle is regarded as one of the biggest busts in NFL history. What’s worse is that Watch Mojo recently ranked him in their top 10 busts in sports history in general. Charles was what Titus Young would later strive to be.. Wide Receiver. Michigan State. Charles Rogers. 2

7. player. 50. “Roy we’re down by 35 points, you don;t have to continue to do that stupid first down celebration anymore.” Roy was once considered a successful pick. He an amazing season where he led the NFL in receiving yards and made the Pro Bowl. It’s too bad that the other seasons surrounding that one year left a lot to be desired. Wide Receiver. Texas. Roy Williams

50. Kevin Jones was the first in a line of rookies that everyone thought could finally remedy the loss of Barry Sanders. The problem as you’ll learn with most of these guys is that they just can’t seem to stay healthy.. Running Back. Virginia Tech. Kevin Jones. 30. player

player. 50. Everyone said “don’t do it Matt.” But Matt said “you’re crazy. Of course I’m going to select this guy that hasn’t played football in a year.” It was a bust as expected when Williams couldn’t catch a cold and suddenly got Jamarcus Russell fat out of nowhere.. Wide Receiver. USC. Mike Williams. 10

50. Ernie wasn’t anything special. The best way I can put it is to say that Ernie Sims was a good part of a horrible situation. He had tons of tackles, but the Lions still had tons of losses. Chad Greenway would have been a much better piece.. Linebacker. Florida State. Ernie Sims. 9. player

Wide Reciever. Georgia Tech. Calvin Johnson. 2. player. 50. I still don’t want to admit that it’s over. Calvin was a sight to behold and frankly one of the best receivers to ever step foot on the field. Nice pick Matt. Cray to think that you almost traded it away.

Tackle. Boston College. Gosder Cherilus. 17. player. 50. In retrospect, letting Gosder walk was not the greatest plan ever. The Lions definitely could have used him in the past few years. He wasn’t a world beater or anything, but he’s a better option than Waddle, Lucas and Ola.

He is definitely a polarizing figure. But Matthew Stafford was the right pick then and he’s the right pick now. It’s crazy to think that this guy is still only 28 years old. It’s a good thing he’s finally starting to show that he can be great instead of just good.. Quarterback. Georgia. Matthew Stafford. 1. player. 50

Oklahoma State. Brandon Pettigrew. 20. player. 50. Complete opposite of Stafford. He was the wrong pick then and he’s the wrong pick now. Pettigrew’s unbelievable decline has you wondering every year how he keeps making the team.. Tight End