We attempt to rank the five best and worst draft classes by the Detroit Lions in the past 30 years. Where did we go right? And where did it all go wrong?all go wrong?
We here at SideLion Report decided to rank the five best and worst draft classes the Detroit Lions have had over the past thirty years.
Today, read what I consider to be the best five Lions drafts in recent memory.
5. 2009 NFL Draft
Round Selections: (Overall Pick)
1st. Matthew Stafford: QB (1)
1st. Brandon Pettigrew: TE (20)
2nd. Louis Delmas: S (33)
3rd. DeAndre Levy: LB (76)
4th. Sammie Lee Hill: DT (115)
6th. Aaron Brown: RB (192)
7th. Lydon Murtha: T (228)
7th. Dan Gronkowski: TE (255)
Yes, it’s true that the 2009 Draft was one of the least successful in league history, particularly the first round. As you can see, however, the Lions got some key players, most importantly selecting quarterback Matthew Stafford. It may look like no-brainer now, but at the time, fans and analysts felt Detroit was reaching for Stafford instead of building the core of a team that was seriously devoid of talent after an 0-16 season in 2008.
After Stafford, the Lions grabbed Brandon Pettigrew, a player that was solid for a number of years — 301 catches for 2,965 receiving yards — just not quite the Jason Witten clone that he was billed to be. Safety, Louis Delmas, was a fan-favorite when he was healthy. His knees kept him from hitting his full potential but Delmas was an immediate upgrade in his rookie season.
One of the most overlooked picks of Martin Mayhew‘s first draft as Lions general manager was DeAndre Levy, the recently-released linebacker out of Wisconsin, selected in the third round. Levy did whatever Detroit asked him to do, playing both middle and outside linebacker at high levels.
The Lions also got solid contributions from Sammie Lee Hill and Aaron Brown at positions that previously had very little depth. Overall, this draft had several misses, but Detroit found the best quarterback they’ve ever had and a number of contributors — something fans weren’t accustomed after eight seasons of Matt Millen.
4. 1988 NFL Draft
Round Selections: (Overall Pick)
1st. Bennie Blades: DB (3)
2nd. Chris Spielman: LB (29)
2nd. Pat Carter: TE (32)
3rd. Ray Roundtree: WR (58)
4th. William White: DB (85)
5th. Eric Andolsek: G (111)
6th. Carl Painter: RB (142)
7th. Jeff James: WR (169)
8th. Gary Hadd: DT (196)
9th. Kip Corrington: DB (223)
9th. Todd Irvin: T (234)
In 1988, Detroit hit on talented defensive back, Bennie Blades, with the third overall pick. The more memorable pick, though, is Chris Spielman, the four-time Pro-Bowl linebacker. Blades and Spielman were good core additions to what was a pretty decent Lions defensive unit during the 1990s.
Outside of those two, Detroit was quietly effective. Pat Carter turned out well enough for a second-round tight end in a then run-heavy NFL (107 catches, 1,117 yards, 9 touchdowns). The best value in 1988 was fourth-round defensive back, William White, totaling 20 interceptions during his career, after coming out of Ohio State.
Eric Andolsek was a decent pick, starting three seasons at guard. Outside of that, the Lions acquired some depth with Carl Painter, Gary Hadd and Kip Corrington. Blades and Spielman combined for five Pro-Bowls, but not much stands out other than that. White probably doesn’t get the credit he deserves for being a very good player.
3. 1995 NFL Draft
Round Selections: (Overall Pick)
1st. Luther Elliss: DT (20)
3rd. David Sloan: TE (70)
5th. Stephen Boyd: LB (141)
5th. Kez McCorvey: WR (156)
6th. Kevin Hickman: TE (186)
6th. Cory Schlesinger: FB (192)
7th. Hessley Hempstead: G (228)
Luther Elliss is one of the better picks Detroit has ever made when selecting in the twenties of the first round. Elliss made two Pro Bowls and compiled 29 sacks while playing on the interior of the Lions’ defensive line. Tight end David Sloan, along with linebacker Stephen Boyd, each made the Pro Bowl as well. These three combined for five Pro Bowls during their careers.
The real gem was fan-favorite, Corey Schlesinger, a bruising fullback known for breaking facemasks while blocking on a regular basis. While Schlesinger wasn’t the touchdown machine you’d expect, he was highly underrated as a pass catcher out the backfield — 197 catches for 1,445 yards receiving, and 14 total touchdowns.
Outside of those four players, Detroit didn’t get much other than depth out of this draft. The fact that the 1995 Draft is this high speaks to the Lions’ inept drafting ability for so many years. When you hit Pro Bowlers with your first three picks, however, you deserve some credit.
2. 1992 NFL Draft
Round Selections: (Overall Pick)
1st. Robert Porcher: DE (26)
2nd. Tracy Scroggins: DE (53)
2nd. Jason Hanson: K (56)
3rd. Thomas McLemore: TE (81)
6th. Larry Tharpe: T (145)
8th. Willie Clay: DB (221)
11th. Ed Tillison: FB (306)
In 1992, the Lions significantly upgraded their pass rush in the first two rounds. Fans will never forget the great Robert Porcher, but it’s Tracy Scroggins that doesn’t get the recognition he deserves for playing an effective ten seasons for Detroit. Scroggins and Porcher combined for 156 total sacks during their NFL careers.
Perhaps the most memorable player from this draft was Jason Hanson, a kicker the Lions somewhat questionably drafted in the second round. Selected just three picks after Scroggins, Hanson became one of the most successful players in Lions history, playing for 19 seasons. The biggest value pick was 8th-round selection, Willie Clay, the former defensive back that picked off 27 passes.
This draft helped Detroit build a team that, despite limited success, helped drive a couple of playoff appearances in the nineties. The Lions netted three defensive studs and a kicker for almost twenty years. Once Matt Millen took over, drafts like this didn’t exist, which makes 1992 stand out all the more.
1. 2013 NFL Draft
Round Selections: (Overall Pick)
1st. Ziggy Ansah: DE (5)
2nd. Darius Slay: DB (36)
3rd. Larry Warford: G (65)
4th. Devin Taylor: DE (132)
5th. Sam Martin: P (165)
6th. Corey Fuller: WR (171)
6th. Theo Riddick: RB (199)
7th. Michael Williams: TE (211)
7th. Brandon Hepburn: LB (245)
First place? For as much criticism as Martin Mayhew gets, he really nailed it in 2013. At the time, some thought it was a slight reach to be using the 5th overall pick on an extremely raw Ezekiel Ansah, but it turned out to be arguably the best pick of Mayhew’s tenure as GM. Ansah stands out from an unimpressive first round and has blossomed in Detroit. The reason I believe this was the best draft of the past thirty years for the Lions is because of the volume of hits all the way through.
Darius Slay was an unknown that’s turned into the best corner of the entire 2013 class, arguably. Larry Warford was phenomenal as a rookie, plus filled a huge need along a then-bare Lions offensive line as just a third-round pick. Warford cashed in with the Saints during free agency. Devin Taylor has been serviceable, at times starting for the Lions opposite Ansah at defensive end. Punter Sam Martin was not a popular pick, yet he’s turned into a top-3 player at his position.
Theo Riddick is quite possibly the best receiving back in the league, something increasingly important in today’s game. Ansah, Slay, Martin and Riddick all appear to be part of Detroit’s long-term plans. That’s a good thing since they are also some of the best players on the team. A few more drafts like this and Mayhew would still be here in all likelihood.
Next: Detroit Lions: 15 best first-round draft picks of all-time
It may be slightly premature to put 2013 at number one, but in terms of the number of hits consistently throughout the draft, I believe it stands alone.
-Stats and information provided by Pro Football Reference and NFL.com.