SideLion Report
FanSided

Ranking the Detroit Lions’ first round picks since 2010

By Jeremy Friedrichs

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 25: Ezekiel Ansah of the BYU Cougars stands with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell (L) and Pro Football Hall of Famer Barry Sanders (R) as they hold up a jersey on stage after Ansah was picked #5 overall by the Detroit Lions in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 25, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 25: Ezekiel Ansah of the BYU Cougars stands with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell (L) and Pro Football Hall of Famer Barry Sanders (R) as they hold up a jersey on stage after Ansah was picked #5 overall by the Detroit Lions in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 25, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
11 of 11
Next
Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images
Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images /

Number One – 2010 (Part Two)

Selection/Position: Jahvid Best / Running Back
Draft position/School: 30th overall / California
Tenure with Lions: 2010 – 2011
Lions statistics: 26 games played, 15 starts, 945 rushing yards, 774 receiving yards, 9 total touchdowns

Best was taken near the end of the first round, yet another tailback whom the Lions hoped could jump-start a rushing attack that had been lacking a star since Barry Sanders’ retirement. A former track star in college as well, Best displayed some explosive, big-play ability in his rookie season, using his speed as a dual threat out of the backfield.

Best was off to a great start in his second season, averaging over 100 yards from scrimmage as part of an explosive Lions offense that seemed like they were ready to stake their claims as one of the NFL’s best. They started 5-0, with Best leading the charge out of the backfield as a rising star. Then it all went south.

Best’s concussion issues were no secret coming out of college. He suffered at least one documented concussion at Cal, but the Lions looked past these issues in favor of talent and the ability to give Matthew Stafford another weapon.

After suffering another serious head injury in a preseason game against the Cleveland Browns, he was stricken with yet another concussion in a Week 6 loss against the San Francisco 49ers. Best would never suit up in the NFL again, and the Lions would release him two years later.

It’s hard to argue that general manager Martin Mayhew made a questionable choice not just in drafting Best at the time, but in not having a solid backup plan. Best flashed his ability to help make the Lions’ offense almost unstoppable at times. However, in a later poignant self-assessment, Mayhew admitted that neglecting to make provisions for Best’s potential downfall was one of his biggest gaffes.

On talent and pound for pound transformative ability alone, this first round ranks above the rest. In their two years together on the roster, Suh and Best helped the Lions add four more wins to their record in consecutive years, breaking a long playoff drought in the process.

As the Lions close the books on their drafts for the decade, they would be well served to try and land the same level of production from their first-round haul in 2010, since the collective output from the other years has been average at best. Some longevity would be nice too.

Next. Ranking the 5 best Lions draft classes of the past 30 years. dark

Who’s your choice for the best Lions first-round pick of the 2010s? Let us know in the comments section below.

For more grades, advanced statistics and more at Pro Football Focus, subscribe to PFF’s EDGE or ELITE subscriptions at ProFootballFocus.com.

Home/Lions All-Time Lists