2003 Draft

Player who will have a better NFL career than many drafted higher than him.

The Lions' draft was erratic.  There were a couple of good moves, but some questionable ones as well.  For example, I believe Dizon is not strong enough or big enough to be effective in the middle.  He will make tackles from that spot, but it will be too far from the line of scrimmage.  He is a good football player, but needs to be an outside linebacker in a defense like Tampa Bay or Indianapolis.  He is miscast in the middle for Detroit.  For that reason, Detroit should have gone running back in round two (Ray Rice) and looked for a middle linebacker later in the draft.  I'm sure Detroit wanted Forte in round two, but he was grabbed by Chicago just before they got on the clock.  Smith is okay, but a step down from either Forte or Rice.  To top off some missed opportunities and bad position decisions, Detroit did not have a very productive college street free agent signing period.

DRAFT PICKS

The Lions started the draft off very well.  Cherilus is a tough kid, a mauler, and maybe the top pure right tackle in the draft.  He will start from day one, provide a mean streak for their line, and make Pro Bowls before he is done.

Dizon in round two was a bit of a reach.  However, as a middle linebacker he was a major reach.  Dizon is a hustler who pursues plays sideline to sideline with his above-average speed, and excellent change-of-direction skills.  The only thing that stops Dizon from getting in on plays are big bodies.  He is not a player who is very effective taking on blocks, or taking on action run right at him.  He needs to operate in space to chase down ballcarriers.  His game is more like Derrick Brooks than Brain Urlachler, not that I expect him to reach those lofty heights.  By the end of the year Buster Davis could be the Lions starting middle linebacker.  And if Dizon doesn't start in the middle, there is no way he can challenge Sims to start on the weak side.  As I said in the intro, my pick here would have been running back Ray Rice.

By the time the Lions were on the clock in round three, most of the top running backs were gone.  However, while Smith will be okay, I think the Lions choose the wrong back.  I liked Tashard Choice for Detroit more than Smith.  However, if Detroit went Rice in round two, they could have drafted Connor or Wheeler at this spot, both of whom project as better 43 middle linebackers than Dizon.

Fluellen is a bit undersized, but has good speed and quickness for a man his size.  He should make the roster and be a rotation player this year.  He will never be a star, but should be a contributor.

Avril is the second player drafted by Detroit that I like a lot.  He has excellent speed, quickness, and athleticism, and will play immediately in the nickel as a pass rusher.  I can also see him adding a few pounds and developing into a starter, becoming the player the Lions hoped Kalimba Edwards would become.

Kenneth Moore is a slot receiver with good hands, decent speed and adequate quickness.  In my opinion there were better receivers available at this spot than Moore.  As a receiver with upside, I liked Paul Hubbard much more.  As a slot receiver who could also serve as a solid return man, I liked Kevin Robinson more.  For better roster depth I liked corners Bowman or Scandrick, defensive tackle Okam or Shirley, or tight end Kellen Davis or Barnidge more than a receiver at this spot (the grab a receiver in Cohen's spot in round seven).

Felton has weight-room strength and could develop into an excellent lead blocker.

Cohen has possibilities.  He slid under the radar despite a good strength/speed/quickness ratio because he weighed only 278 at his Pro Day. However, he was supposedly up to the 290's when he visited the Lions so he was worth a shot late in the draft.  He is an ideal practice squad candidate.

Campbell was a great story on day two of the draft and has a very good shot of making the Lions' roster.  He will be a top special teams player and can backup at both outside linebacker and strong safety.

COLLEGE STREET FREE AGENTS

The Lions did not sign any college street free agents on my priority list.  Martin has a shot to play in the NFL because of his versatility.  He started for three years at Syracuse and played multiple positions on their line.