Lions NFL Draft Selections:
1st Round, 10th Overall – Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina (9.1)
2nd Round, 40th Overall – Kyle Van Noy, OLB, BYU (8.8)
3rd Round, 76th Overall – Travis Swanson, OC, Arkansas (8.1)
4th Round, 133rd Overall – Nevin Lawson, CB, Utah State (6.9)
4th Round, 136th Overall – Larry Webster, DE/TE, Bloomsburg (7.5)
5th Round, 158th Overall – Caraun Reid, DT, Princeton (7.5)
6th Round, 189th Overall – T.J. Jones, WR, Notre Dame (7.5)
7th Round, 229th Overall – Nate Freese, PK, Boston College (–)
Overall Grade: 6.5
For our full NFL Draft Coverage, please click here.
ESPN’s SportsNation poll results following the draft pretty much says it all. Michigan’s poll registered a state-high 29% “pessimistic.”
Having never made it to a Super Bowl in the game’s 48 year history, the Lions’ equivalent has been the NFL Draft, at least in the eyes of the fan. If that’s the case, the team was just dealt a crushing defeat on Thursday night. By drafting North Carolina TE Eric Ebron, the team has demonstrated that they are looking to emulate the New Orleans Saints offense, which utilized TE/WR Jimmy Graham under the guidance of new offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi. However, the issue here is twofold.
The Lions had just re-signed TE Brandon Pettigrew, who was also a first round pick in 2009, to a four-year, $16 million contract, and already had another developmental TE on the roster in Joseph Fauria. Ebron fits on the team in terms of his skillset; he is a detached vertical TE, whereas Pettigrew is a blocking and short area receiver, and Fauria is a red zone target. However, the one thing that has plagued the TE position in past years, the number of drops by Pettigrew, is likely to continue with Ebron, as he has tendency to lose focus, despite being able to make fantastic one-handed catches.
The other issue is one of value. The Lions selected Ebron at 10, when they could have traded back several picks, added an extra selection in the later rounds and saved money on Ebron’s rookie contract. While the claim has been that no teams were looking to trade up, that might have something to do with the fact that the team wasted no time in turning in the pick after they were announced on the clock after the Browns selection. Other teams could have leapfrogged the Lions in the event of a trade-down, but the likelihood of that happening would be slim, given that teams had been expressing concern over Ebron having an irritating personality.
In the past ten years, Ebron is only the ninth TE selected in the first round of the draft, and only the third taken in the top 20, two of those three being Lions selections, not to mention the team the Lions are attempting to emulate drafted their TE in the late 3rd round. Looking at the great TEs around the league, the majority of them have been drafted after the first round, such as Rob Gronkowski (2nd round), Jason Witten (3rd round), Jordan Cameron (4th round), and Antonio Gates (undrafted). Furthermore, Graham was a much better value for the Saints in round three. In his rookie season, Graham made under $500,000 and after incentives made a scant $1.5 million last season. While Ebron has yet to sign a contract, the 10th overall pick of last season, Chance Warmack made a hardy $2.2 million on his rookie deal. Given that Ebron is a skill position player and factoring in inflation, he will likely make twice as much his rookie season as Graham made as an All-Pro. Even if Ebron meets Graham’s stats, which is highly unlikely as a rookie, he will never be as valuable as Graham was his first four seasons.
On a better note, the Lions rebounded fairly well on days two and three of the draft. Kyle Van Noy brings plenty of athleticism to the Lions linebacking corps as an immediate upgrade over incumbent OLB Ashlee Palmer. New defensive coordinator Teryl Austin wants to add more blitzes to the team’s gameplan and Van Noy is a capable standup rusher, as well run defender and cover linebacker. Overall, Van Noy is the best value pick in the team’s draft, and should expect to see immediate playing time Monday night against the Giants in week one.
Travis Swanson out of Arkansas should become the team’s starting center next season, after over a decade of Dominic Raiola manning the pivot. Swanson can also play guard in the event that Larry Warford is injured or he manages to outplay Rob Sims. Swanson is a strong, powerful center, a far cry from Raiola’s undersized and gritty game. He has the potential to be a ten year starter.
Nevin Lawson could also contribute early on in dime packages. Lawson is fast, fluid, and instinctive and should be capable of hanging with some slot receivers. The concern is that Lawson is very undersized at only 5’9” 190 lbs. and is still a raw talent. I viewed Lawson as more of a priority free agent, but he does have the skills to compete for a roster spot. However, he only adds to the glut of mediocre secondary members the Lions already have under contract.
Larry Webster is an interesting selection as he brings a ton of athleticism as a former basketball player and son of a former NFL player. Webster is still raw but he fits the Lions mold of long athletic defensive ends, similar to last year’s selection Devin Taylor. Webster was worked at during the draft process as a TE, but that is a position he should never have to play given the team’s depth at that position.
Caraun Reid brings some depth to the middle of the defensive line, as he is capable of shooting through gaps in the run and pass game. He should become a valuable rotation member, but does not have starter traits. T.J. Jones also brings depth, but to the receiving corps. Jones is a polished route runner who has very good hands and should be a nice check-down option for Matthew Stafford.
Finally, the team drafted Nate Freese in the 7th round, a player who few had on their radar. The Lions had a definite need at the position, and addressed it with their final selection. Given that the Lions managed to pull Sam Martin out of Appalachian State last year, who was not viewed as a draftable player at time, they deserve the benefit of the doubt on this selection.
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