Mock Draft Sites

You are at Lion Lair Forum>Lion Lair Draft>Lion Mock Draft Sites, Page 1

Actual Pick

Mock Draft Sites

Date

1st

Pos

Player

Their Rationale

My Analysis

What Really Happened

2nd Rd

Player

Their Rationale

My Analysis

3rd Rd

Player

Their Rationale

My Analysis

#19

Niner Fanatic

04/23/05

Alex Barron, Florida State (LT)

Barron will come in and either force Backus to the right side or can man the right side himself.

I cannot get over the hump with this one. I know everyone loves this guy, but I have never been able to see what they're talking about. To me he's a mid-round talent (which I guess isn't THAT far away from #10, but still). IMO he looks like Stockar McDougal with longer arms.

Apparently I wasn’t the only one to have qualms about him. He dropped to St. Loius at #19. My guy at OT, Jammal Brown, was the first OT taken at 13.

None

#15

About.com version

04/22/05

OLB

Derrick Johnson, Texas

With Teddy Lehman and Boss Bailey on this team, the Lions really don't need another young linebacker, but Johnson is just too good of a talent to pass up at No. 10. A pass-rushing defensive end and offensive tackler are bigger needs for Detroit, so Merriman or Florida State offensive lineman Alex Barron are also possibilities. However, the addition of Johnson could have a huge impact on what is already a pretty solid front seven.

Like he says, Merriman is a bigger need. It would be tough to choose between the two, but I think DJ goes in the top 5 picks and makes it a moot point.

I still think Merriman was the right choice for the Lions. Everything got messed up by taking Mike Williams instead of trying to trade down. DJ, did not go top 5 and speculation is that it’s because of position devaluation and problems with tackling.

Justin Tuck, DE, Notre Dame

None

Good temptations at this stage.

None

#15

Ask the Commish (Computer)

04/22/05

Derrick Johnson, Texas

None

Computers are only as smart as the person operating them. And the more I work with them, the more stupid I think I am. For instance, this computer originally picked OT Barron for the Lions at #10. With a little tweaking, they have since made it possible that the Lions will pick DJ, but still have Shawne Merriman dropping to SD at #12. Interestingly, however, is that Carlos Rogers now goes at #11 to Dallas, when he was originally slated by the program to go late in the round. Tweaking is good, but I think they need one more tweak for the Lions.

Maybe it’s the Lions’ scouting department that needs tweaking. I know that trading down was hard to do in this draft, but 3 top 10 WRs and a struggling defense=move down. 2 Minutes while they got the card in, isn’t enough to gage the interest.

Brandon Browner, CB, Oregon St

None

Okay, really! Maybe the computers really are stupid. Browner before Bullocks (their #50)? I think Browner could be a decent FS at some point, but he is a project right now. Bullocks is more ready to contribute at FS right now.

Ronald Bartell Jr., CB, Howard

None

They can afford to be choosy and pick they type of CB they want or go elsewhere for value. This IS a deep draft for CBs and they could get a pretty good CB to challenge Cash, Goodman or Echols for 4th CB here. On the other hand, LB is not nearly as deep. LB Matt McCoy (#124) and MLB Alfred Fincher (#103) are two of the LBs who probably won't be taken high in the 1st or 2nd round. But their stock has been moving up, and they definitely won't be available the 2nd day. Lions visited with McCoy and I've heard all kinds of buzz about him becoming a popular player with scouts. If they do take DJ with their first pick, you can disregard the LB comments. The third round is where teams are most likely going to start the run on offensive linemen, and if there is one thing I've learned from fantasy football; it's never good to be caught at the end of a draft run. The Lions could start thinking about starting the run and improving the depth even more for the o-line. Perhaps that would include OC Chris Spencer (#77), OC Ben Wilkerson (#83), OG Chris Kemoeatu (#100), or an OT they like. Adrian McPherson would also a good person to take as he has 1st round talent IMO, & I believe he's grown up since his gambling problems. I also see a lot of RBs dropping in this draft and it would be very tempting to pluck one of them off the RB tree, as well. TE is very scant and if Kevin Everett (#87) is available here, he might be a nice pick for the Lions (despite the shoulder surgery). The WRs IMO have the best value in this mock: Courtney Roby (#88), Craphonso Thorpe(#106), Vincent Jackson (#85), or Mark Bradley (#109) could vie with Kevin Johnson for #3 WR and would bump Kircus and/or Vines off the depth chart.

CBS sportsline (Dodd)

04/22/05

Antrel Rolle, Miami

Nothing Applicable

I hate the way this guy thinks, so now I'm worried that I might actually agree with one of his picks. Okay, Merriman revives my sense of self. Whew, that was close.

Rolle was taken by Arizona. He’ll work out well there.

None

#15

CBS sportsline (Judge)

04/22/05

OLB

Derrick Johnson, Texas

It's a coin flip, with Demarcus Ware losing.

It may be a coin flip between Merriman & DJ, but DeMarcus Ware doesn't fit into the Lion defense. He's a very good player, but Ware's true value is in the 3-4 defense. The Lions need on a full time DE, and Merriman is, and Ware isn't. DJ would also represent a considerable upgrade in regard to providing some kind of QB pressure, as well. However, he isn't going to be able to go after the QB on every down. From an economic viewpoint, the Lions would get more bang for their buck with Merriman than DJ. Plus when the years roll around, people will wonder why Merriman wasn't a top 3 pick. These CBS guys clung to the Spear to Lions pick for a long time. It figures, but I was hoping better from a news agency not in league with the devil. :)

Ware was taken with Dallas’ next pick, #11, and fits into their 3-4 defense. Merriman went one more pick to SD at #12 and winds up playing in the 3-4 as well.

None

#12

CBS sportsline (Prisco)

04/22/05

Shawne Merriman, Maryland

They need an edge rusher at defensive end, and go with this guy over Demarcus Ware because he is bigger.

Ding, Ding, Ding. We have a winner.

Well, I wasn’t the ONLY moron who thought Merriman fit the need and value for a DE, edge rusher. Merriman goes to SD at #12.

None

#15

Consensus Draft (reg)

04/22/05

Derrick Johnson, Texas

Derrick is a ferocious competitor and an intimidating tackler. There have been reports of his stock on the decline since the combines, but he is still the excellent football player that he was at the beginning of the season. He's better, actually. Over the last year he's improved his on-field awareness, as well as polishing his fundamentals in preparation for the NFL. He is another Mack Brown product who finished his education at UT before leaving for the NFL. Detroit is in need of defensive playmakers now, as the offense seems primed to explode onto the scene in 2005-06. Adding Johnson will allow Detroit to move Lehman inside and increase the sped and versatility of their front seven. Look for this to be a formidable defensive unit next season. Other possibilities: Alex Barron, Shawne Merriman, Travis Johnson, and Marcus Spears.

Other than refuting the three possibilities of Alex Barron, Travis Johnson, and Marcus Spears; what more can I add?

DJ is a steal for KC at #15. I can’t believe Carolina took Thomas Davis at WLB (in a transition move) before DJ.

None

#15

Draft Board Insider

04/22/05

Derrick Johnson, Texas

None

Another bandwagon fan.

Playing it safe makes teams and mockers do strange things. DJ goes to KC at #15.

None

Yuck. He lacks a 2nd gear, much like Terrence Holt who can't get on the field. Yet he had a better Senior Bowl week than what I've seen from him in any games before. I think he got lucky more than he was good. Steals that follow in this mock draft: WR Courtney Roby, DE Jovan Haye, WR JR Russell, DE Bill Swancutt, CB Darrent Williams, WR/TE Vincent Jackson, OC Jason Brown, WR Mark Bradley, DT Jonathan Babineaux. Guys this mocker has dropping out of the 3rd who could be 3rd round picks for the Lions: OT Ray Willis, DT Sione Pouha, QB Adrian McPherson, MLBs Alfred Fincher, Robert McCune, Boomer Grigsby, WR Craphonso Thorpe, Fred Gibson, Dominique Foxworth.

#18

Draft Gurus

04/22/05

Erasmus James, Wisconsin

None

This has become a disappointment. He went from Derrick Johnson (now #9) to Shawne Merriman (now #13) to Erasmus James. Why? The horror!

At #18 Erasmus James was a value pick. At #10 he would not have been good value.

Adam Terry, OT, Syracuse

None

I will guess that Alex Smith (#45), the TE, is the Lions target in the 2nd round, especially if they get their DE in the first round. But there are 7-8 players that could vie for a role with the Lions in the 2nd round. Josh Bullocks (#61) would be MY pick. You probably guessed that by now, huh? Unless one of the big three OTs fall to their position at #41, I think they'll go another route.

None

#20

Draft Icon

04/22/05

Marcus Spears, LSU

None

I would like to hear a rational argument for taking Spears hee.

Never have really heard a rational argument for taking Spears, and may never again. He fits better as a DE in Dallas’ new 3-4 Def.

Josh Bullocks, FS, Nebraska

None

Good pick!

Attiyah Ellishon

None

In this mock draft DTs Luis Castillo, Mike Patterson, & Sione Pouha are all still available. Castillo and Patterson would be steals in the 3rd round. Courtney Robe is still sitting there.

#15

Draft King

04/22/05

Derrick Johnson, Texas

None

DJ is BPA and the Lions are in a perfect position to take BPA. I think Millen would take extra pleasure in picking Derrick Johnson so he doesn't go to Dallas (#11). In fact, I think he would enjoy foiling Jerry Jones as much as actually getting DJ on the field with Boss and Teddy…if that's possible.

Apparently the teams running the 3-4 defense were devaluing DJ, because he doesn’t fit the rush mode as well as some of the others do. DJ will look good in Gunther’s system.

None

#15

Draft Season: Lupiga

04/22/05

Derrick Johnson, Texas

I think DJ should go much higher but if he falls this far, the Lions should grab him.

In prior scenarios 4 of 5 of the Lions primary players have already been taken. However, in this version Shawne Merriman is still available.

Most of know-nothings thought DJ should go higher. And I still think teams like Cleveland missed the boat on him. I guess we’ll see soon enough.

Marcus Johnson, OT, Mississippi

The Lions grab this big man to bolster their o-line.

He's decent value for the 2nd round. And Johnson is a good player, but Mike Patterson, Luis Castillo, Chris Spencer, Stanley Wilson, Josh Bullocks, and Alex Smith are better fits.

None

East Coast Sports News.com

04/23/05

DeMarcus Ware

None

This makes no sense. Ware may be the best pass rusher in the draft, as has been suggested, but he is clearly more of a 3-4 OLB than a 4-3 DE. Merriman should be the pick because he’s a bigger DE, more capable of full time 4-3 duties, yet with almost identical pass rush abilities.

This is the only guy who projected the Lions taking Mike Williams at some point, and he changed it to DeMarcus Ware on his last revision. Too bad, he could have been crowing.

Dominique Foxworth, CB, Maryland

None

This might be as far as I would be willing to let Luis Castillo fall. I don't think the steroid thing is an issue, and he is one heck of player (which seems to be something people are forgetting. Finding DTs with this capability is hard enough, and he would be BPA here. FS Josh Bullocks would fill their need better, though. Nevermind Domonique, a CB may be an option here because some very good ones are still going to be here at 41, but a small CB who duplicates what they already have doesn't really seem like a good pick.

None

#18

FF Toolbox (Cavallo)

04/22/05

Erasmus James, Wisconsin

Anyone they pick here will be a bit of a reach.

The comment about anyone being a reach here almost helps me feel better about their EJ pick ... NOT. EJ may have a great first step, but he has had too much trouble staying on the field? In fact he eerily reminds of Kalimba Edwards. Watching the first half of last year, he was a man amongst boys. Watching the last half, after his ankle injury, you couldn't tell he was even on the field. DJ (to Tennessee) and Shawne Merriman (to Minnesota) are disappointingly gone, but that still leaves Antrel Rolle & Carlos Rogers as the next best picks.

EJ is the one player I think would have truly been a reach, since Merriman is going to be the DROY of the year in 2006. In this case I think it would have behooved the Lions to reach past Mike Williams for another player. When he doesn’t have a 1000 yards next year, Mike W. will be labeled a bust.

None

Inside The Eagles.com

04/22/05

Pac-Man Jones, West Virginia

Super quick cover guy. Great playmaker who likes to get physical. Light out kind of guy who also doubles as a punt return man. Other needs: SS, OG, TE, DE, CB, OT.

Pac-Man doesn't seem like a good fit for the Lions for many reasons, size being one of the big concerns. The "Lights Out" guy is Merriman, In this mock draft they have Merriman dropping to 15. Pac Man is a duplicate of what the Lions already have at CB.

I stand by my comment that Pac Man wasn’t a good fit. Merriman only dropped 2 spots to SD, and Pac-Man went earlier to Tennessee (who should have taken Rolle).

Alex Smith, TE, Stanford

Second best TE in the draft. Elusive and skilled receiver who gets up field quickly.

He made a good fix on his mock draft here. Now he just has to revisit the whole Pac-Man thing. BPAs at 41 for this mock: WR Roddy White, DE Justin Tuck, CB Justin Miller, QB Charlie Frye, OC Chris Spencer, WR Terrence Murphy, DT Mike Patterson, LB Kevin Burnett.

None

#15

Jeff's NFL Draft (Chad)

04/22/05

Derrick Johnson, Texas

Lions are said to love this quy and his playmaking abilities although said to draft Erasmus James with this pick I think they go DJ here. With using their last four 1st round picks on top offensive talent its about time they bring in someone on the defensive side of the ball to produce. Derrick Johnson could be the best player in the draft but only time will tell.

I wouldn't be hurt if they take DJ here if Merriman is gone already, but this mocker had the Lions originally taking Merriman and now have joined the throngs (not thongs) who are projecting for Merriman to last until the Cowplops. IMO a big-time DE pass rusher beats the big-time LB every time. I think years from now people will be talking about Merriman in the same way as they talk about some of the greats.

I guess the Lions didn’t love him enough. A big-time DE may beat out a big-time LB, but apparently a big-time WR trumps them both…sigh.

Ray Willis, OT, Fl. St.

None

This is way, way too high for Willis IMO. Justin Tuck (DE), Mike Patterson (DT), Luis Castillo (DT), Josh Bullocks (FS), Vincent Jackson (WR) are the guys I see offhand who he has getting picked after the Lions #41.

None

#15

Jeff's NFL Draft (Jeff)

04/22/05

Derrick Johnson, Texas

None

He's coming around. Sooner or later he'll get to putting Shawne Merriman up one pick to the Lions.

When Dallas gets sick of the 3-4 defense, they aren’t going to have a place for Ware to play, and then they’ll with Merriman had been their pick. Stupid CowTippers.

None

#15

Joey's Mock Draft

04/22/05

OLB

Derrick Johnson, Texas

None

I've no complaint on this.

I would have had even less complaint if they’d actually done it.

Atiyyah Ellison, DT, Missouri

None

Ellison is an interesting player, that played in a 1-gap system but he may be more suited for 2-gap. The problem I have is that there is so much value in the second round and the Lions can fill a need here. But which one is it going to be. With Bell re-signed DT wouldn't be a need pick, but you never bypass value at DT. With Patterson still available, I don't think the Lions would reach below him for Ellison. Patterson is unstoppable sometimes. FS is as big a need as there is on this team, and this year in particular it's very difficult to find FSs. Because of the changing rules a centerfielder type FS is becoming more and more of a priority, as are CBs with better coverage skills than physicality. Therefore Josh bullocks makes a better fit from that standpoint. But TE Alex Smith, OC Chris Spencer, DE Justin Tuck, are comparable values .

Courtney Roby, WR, Indiana

None

Roby is one of the WRs I have my eye on for the Lions' #3 WR, though he may not last this long.

#15

KAC Sports

04/22/05

OLB

Derrick Johnson, Texas

Alex Smith could even fall here, as the Lions are far from happy with Joey Harrington. If Smith is gone, the Lions jump all over the safest defensive player overall.

I don't think Smith is really an option here. DJ, as I've been hyping, is. With Merriman gone (at #7) this is the next best pick.

Alex Smith went #1, though Rodgers fell all the way to Green Bay (which forced them to also change their draft plans). Neither team improved their defense all that much.

Alex Smith, TE, Stanford

Made a recent visit into Lions camp

Wouldn't it be weird if the Lions really took 2 Alex Smith's in the same draft? I wonder if that's ever happened before. This Alex seems a lot more likely than the other Alex.

Marcus Johnson, OT, Mississippi

None

With Kosier from 49ers, and the lost 7th rounder I think the Lions will go a different direction. They are in a position to take BPA at DT, WR, QB, or maybe even a non-need position where a player falls further than he should.

#12

N2FL

04/22/05

Shawne Merriman, Maryland

None

Merriman, Merriman, Merriman. Wow this is so much better than Dan Cody.

I guess I didn’t chant loud enough.

None

#12

NFL Draft Showcase

04/22/05

Shawne Merriman, Maryland

The Lions, for a top 10 team, don't have many glaring needs. Getting a pass rushing DE is of some importance, so they nab Merriman here.

He's right you know

I don’t know if pass rushing DE is a “glaring need” either, but it was one of their bigger needs. Mike Williams is going to have to play defense I guess. J

Brodney Pool, FS, Oklahoma

None

Many would feel this is a better pick than Bullocks. Not I. But he's got the right position to look for, from a needs perspective.

Courtney Roby, WR, Indiana

None

You know, it's almost like he's reading my mind … except for that Pool vs Bullocks thing.

#20

NFL Smackdown

04/22/05

Marcus Spears, LSU

Mooch goes defense here with both CBs gone. Spears is going to be a solid player on the defensive line and the Lions are going to love him.

The problem is there is a difference between solid and stone-like. Detroit has seen more than it's share of the latter. The Lions need a playmaker on defense, not just a solid player. With Merriman gone at #8, I say Derrick Johnson would be the call here.

Spears fits best into the 3-4 defense, though he had some value as a 4-3 DE. Unfortunately the Lions then got a similar player in the 2^nd round.

David Baas, OG/OC, Michigan

Dave stays home and plays for the NFL Detroit Lions. His friends, family and the fans of Michigan love this pick.

Can Baas play RT? That may be a stretch for him. He is a very good player, and I would never boo a Michigan guy. Nevertheless, the pick at #41 should be able to contribute early, or else they need to trade down for additional picks. FS Josh Bullocks (#51), TE Alex Smith (#48), DE Justin Tuck (#63), DT Mike Patterson, Luis Castillo, WR Fred Gibson (#43), Reggie Brown (#45), WR/TE Matt Jones (#62) would be reasonable alternatives to his choice of Baas. Maybe Charlie Frye would even be an option here, though he's not this high on my board.

None

#15

nflmockdraft.4t

04/22/05

Derrick Johnson, Texas

They lost Claiborne and Johnson is the best OLB in the draft.

Ancient history on Claiborn. Merriman would also improve the front seven, but on every snap.

Not many of us saw Thomas Davis getting drafted at OLB before DJ.

David Baas, OG, Michigan

None

Too many other guys are going to push the OGs down in this draft.

None

#15

On the Clock

04/22/05