Evaluating the Lions Draft
*All quotes are verbatum from Coach Stokes
On not having a first rounder:
“You know, it was a conscience decision to trade our first for a player we felt would fit our scheme and provide us with an impact down the future (on DE Aaron Lynch). We really wanted a pass rusher last draft, and got one in Malik Hudson (DT) but he is an interior guy. Lynch is still a young guy at only 25.” (Lynch 96 ovr DE, 25)
On trading up to grab Penn State CB James Garner:
“We had some guys play very well for us last year in Milliner, Slay and Carter. James was a guy we had a first round grade on and when the opportunity to trade up to grab him appeared, we did it. During the interview process he was a guy that impressed us with his knowledge and passion for the game. He should come in right away and compete for the nickel back with Alex (Carter). James isn’t the most athletic but he is the type of CB we look for here in Detroit.” (Fast dev, 79 ovr 86 zone 87 press 73 hit power 78 str)
On second round pick Texas G Kenan Quarles:
“Kenan was a guy we had rated highly. He’s a G that can get out and move in space and is a punisher in the run game." ( 77 ovr 93 str 67 speed 80 acc 83 run 81 impact)
On third round pick Nebraska HB Denard Mendenhall:
“What it comes down to with Mendenhall is integrity. We talked a lot to Ameer about this kid before the draft who knew him through the program at Nebraska. He’s strong, he's fast and he’s quick. He knows how to keep his balance and doesn’t shy away from contact. He was an every down back at Nebraska. His brother had a productive career for the Steelers so he is familiar with what it takes to suceed in this league.” (90 speed 76 str 94 agi 93 acc)
On drafting two WRs in the fourth round:
“It’s no secret that we’ve had a void at the position since we decided to give into Calvin’s demand to trade him to a playoff team (throws under the bus). In Ratliff, we got a guy that’s big and knows how to high point the ball (6’4 227 95 jump 81 catch 81 spec). At Boston College they’d always throw the ball up to him when he had one on one coverage and more times than not he’d come down with it.
Boatwright is a guy that can flat out run. (94 speed 97 acc 77 return) We liked what we saw on his tape from Bowling Green… he’d consistently be able to get behind the coverage but his hands are something he’s going to have to work on if he wants to get any meaningful offensive snaps this year.”
On fourth round pick Cincinnati CB Marcus Jones:
“He’s a guy that made a lot of splash plays for Cincinnati last year. He’s a bit of an athletic freak (6’2 88 speed 89 agi 91 acc 75 str) and can catch (73). I think people underestimate his ability to turn his hips and run with receivers. However, there were a lot of mental lapses in his final year so it’s an area he will have to work on going forward (39 awr).”
On drafting two Ss in the fifth round:
“Safety wasn’t a huge concern going into the draft but we saw value there. Scott (88 spd 89 acc 87 agi 82 cth 82 hit) and Beck (90 spd 86 acc 84 agi 75 cth 82 hit) are guys that made big plays for their respective teams in college. They are both fast, can lay the wood and can come down with a fly ball. They both fit our scheme.”
On fifth round pick Wyoming T Patrick Lowe:
“Lowe (76 ovr Star RT) was a guy our offensive line coach, Hawg Molly, was really high on. He played Center in college but we think he can play all five positions in the NFL. We don’t have a large need at C at the moment with Larry (Warford) there. He didn’t get a lot of buzz coming out of Wyoming but anytime you can find an immediate starter in the fifth round… its a good time.” (69 spd 86 str 84 acc 85 run 83 imp 77 pass)
*Lowe is also the nephew of actor Rob Lowe
Sixth round pick OLB DeMarcus Wilson:
“Wilson was another small school player (N’western St.) that we thought dominated his competition. When you put on the tape… the kid flashes. We think he can come in and contribute at a high level on special teams right away.” (6’2 234 84 spd 90 acc 87 agi 78 hit)
Seventh rounders James Cooper (C) and Derron Carey (DT):
“Cooper was another guy that coach Molly was really high on coming out of East Carolina. We knew we wanted to add depth along the offensive line and were surprised to see him there still in the seventh (95 str 76 pass 79 run 67 awr).
Last year at Oregon, Carey underwhelmed. He’s got the physical gifts (92 str 89 acc 72 spd) and the hands to fight at the line (77 pwr 81 pur) we like out of our DTs but he wasn’t able to put it all together (47 awr 61 fin 66 shed) and may have come out a year early (21).”