NFL Team: Detroit Lions 2008 Picks
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| NFL Team: Detroit Lions 2008 Picks | ||||
| RD | PK(OVR) | NAME | POS | SCHOOL |
| 1 | 17(17) | Gosder Cherilus | OT | Boston College |
| From Vikings through Chiefs | ||||
We understand the pick in the sense that Detroit needs an offensive tackle. Still, we are surprised to see Cherilus come off the board before Pittsburgh's Jeff Otah. Although they are both expected to be effective run-blockers at the NFL level, Cherilus is more of a developmental prospect in our opinion. The greatest concern with him is that he needs to learn to keep his pad level low and get under defensive ends. On the other hand, he's capable of becoming an excellent starter on the right side if he progresses as expected. Video  Complete analysis  | ||||
| 2 | 14(45) | Jordon Dizon | OLB | Colorado |
| Looking at Dizon in street clothes or watching him run, you wouldn't think he could be an NFL linebacker; he lacks ideal size, doesn't have great range and can be a liability in man coverage. But Dizon is a classic overachiever. He makes up for his lack of burst by reacting quickly. He takes sound pursuit angels and he's an excellent open-field tackler. In addition, he rarely gets caught out of position when dropping into zone coverage. Complete analysis | ||||
| 3 | 1(64) | Kevin Smith | RB | UCF |
| From Dolphins | ||||
| Smith can dance in the backfield too much and he's a little bit of an upright runner, so he takes some big hits. However, he does an excellent job of reading his blocks and shows good burst in the hole. He also has good vision and enough lateral mobility to make defenses pay when they overpersue. Complete analysis | ||||
| 3 | 24(87) | Andre Fluellen | DT | Florida State |
| From Browns | ||||
| Detroit is very happy to get Fluellen at this point; the Lions fell in love with him after seeing him work out, but he doesn't have great size or the frame to get substantially bigger. He also has to learn to shed blocks quicker. However, he locates the ball quickly and has the burst to get into the backfield. He also is a good motor guy who works from the snap to the whistle. Complete analysis | ||||
| 3 | 29(92) | Cliff Avril | DE | Purdue |
| From Cowboys | ||||
| Avril doesn't have great size and plays with a narrow base, so he has problems holding his ground when teams run at him. However, there's a lot to like about his ability to get to the quarterback. He has very good initial quickness and great closing speed. We thought he would come off the board in the second round, so the Lions did well to get him here. Complete analysis | ||||
| 5 | 1(136) | Kenneth Moore | WR | Wake Forest |
| From Dolphins through Chiefs | ||||
| Moore is an undersized receiver who doesn't have great top-end speed. But he is a fluid route-runner who catches the ball well. He is a sub package receiver who fits in as a No. 4 wideout. | ||||
| 5 | 11(146) | Jerome Felton | FB | Furman |
| From Saints | ||||
| Felton isn't a dominant lead blocker and will not put linebackers on their backs. He isn't an explosive open-field runner either, but is adequate in both areas. Felton can reach linebackers at the second level and is an effective short-yardage runner. | ||||
| 7 | 9(216) | Landon Cohen | DT | Ohio |
| Cohen is a one-gap defensive tackle who is at his best disrupting running plays, making plays in the backfield and rushing the passer. The biggest knock on him is that he's vastly undersized for the interior defensive line, which could mean that teams will have success running at him. | ||||
| 7 | 11(218) | Caleb Campbell | S | Army |
| From Saints | ||||
| Campbell shows good range in zone coverage, but is limited in man. He is a physical player who does a good job in the box in run support. Takes very good pursuit angles and plays hard. Shows vocal leadership on the field. There are some durablility concerns, though, due to a knee injury. Does not change direction adequately. | ||||