Lion's Draft Grade (Scotto version)

1st Round- #1- #1 overall

QB- Matthew Stafford - Georgia Pick grade: B-

Until the Lions have an O-line, I can’t grade Stafford any higher than this; thru no fault of his own. He’s got the size, and the arm strength to be a good NFL QB. He grades high in all the measurables, and also has the intangibles that can make him successful. I’m still not sold that the Lions needed to take a “franchise” QB at this point, with the lack of talent that permeates the roster. Say “goodbye” to Drew Henson’s NFL career.

1st Round -# 20- #20 overall

TE – Brandon Pettigrew- Oklahoma State Pick grade: B

I give this pick a low-ish grade, thru no fault of Pettigrew, like Stafford above. Taking a TE with the 20th overall pick in the draft is a move that a team that had a bad season due to injuries to starter’s makes, when they are close to making the playoffs. As a player I love Pettigrew, he’s a complete tight end. He can block and catch. He immediately becomes the starter, and possibly a force in the passing game and an asset to the running game for Kevin Smith. With all the holes on the Lions roster, Pettigrew practically has to become an All-star TE to justify this selection, considering who was available to fill other needs.

2nd Round - #1 – #33 overall

Safety – Louis Delmas- Western Michigan Pick grade: B

I’ve watched Delmas for 4 years at WMU. He’s a fiery leader, and very capable player. He’s got the “stuff” you want from a FS on the field. He’s aggressive, a big-hitter and can also make the pick for you. A knock on Delmas is that he goes “all out” all the time so durability can become an issue. Another knock is that he sometimes gets too aggressive going for the knock-out hit, instead of making the safe play and just wrapping up the ball carrier. Considering that I didn’t think the Lions needed a safety, this pick confirms that the Lions front-office was going for “best talent” available.

3rd Round - #12 - #76 overall

OLB- DeAndre Levy – Wisconsin Pick grade: D

The Lions have Ernie Sims at one OLB spot, and added Julian Peterson in an off-season trade. Levy is considered a back-up and late round prospect by everything that I have read. Taking him in the 3rd round at a position where we already have 2 solid NFL starters doesn’t make any sense to me at all. Reports say the Lions are going to move him to the inside. There’s a problem, he’s awfully light for that position.

3rd Round - #18 - #82 overall

WR- Derrick Williams – Penn State Pick grade: B+

Hey! a WR named Williams, and the Lions are on the clock. No brain-er right?? Sorry, I digress. Despite the fact that the Lions signed former PSU receiver Bryant Johnson in the off-season, I still think Derrick Williams gives the Lions good value with this pick as he was considered a slightly higher round pick. He’s small and doesn’t have top end speed, and his route running skills might need work, still he’s got good hands and will go over the middle for the catch. His return skills also give this pick added value.

4th Round #15 - #115 overall

DT- Sammie Lee Hill – Stillman College Pick grade: D

Small school prospect that has good size and measurables. My guess this is a Jim Schwartz project pick. (Schwartz turned Courtland Finnegan into a pro-bowl player.) How quickly Hill adjusts to the increased size and speed of the competition at the NFL level is going to determine how good or bad this pick will end up being. There will be a steep learning-curve. At least the Lions did finally address the D-line issues. Granted, Hill is a project that might turn out dividends down the road. My guess is we won’t see him on the field till late 2010. Sorry he’s just too much of a project for the 4th round.

6th Round # 19 - #192 overall

RB – Aaron Brown – TCU Pick grade: C

Projected as a low-round pick. Brown has decent size, but is relatively slow for an NFL back. Given the options behind Kevin Smith (Brian Calhoun, Aveion Cason) I can’t fault the Lions for going after a back-up, but that is all that Brown will be if he ends up sticking come opening day. If he plays, it means that Smith is out of action.

7th Round #19 - #228

OT – Lydon Murtha – Nebraska Pick grade: C-

Prospect with excellent size and measurables. Too lean and plays too up-right for the pro-game. Most reports have him as a developmental prospect, who might be drafted late. Two positives here with this pick, first the Lions picked a player were he was projected, and second, they finally addressed the O-line. Granted, if he makes the roster and plays, everyone else is hurt.

7th Round #26 - #235

OLB – Zach Follett – Cal Pick grade: D

Projected as depth LB and special teams player, with good energy, and a high motor. Once again, Lions have starters already and this is the 2nd OLB picked. Most scouts have him as a good rush LB for a 3-4 defense. I’m not sure the Lions are running that scheme.

7th Round #46 – 255

TE – Dan Gronkowski Pick grade: D

Once again the Lions pick a 2nd player at the same position. Gronkowski grades out as a good blocking TE, and #3 TE on the roster. Having already drafted Pettigrew, my take is that Michael Gaines, and Casey FitzSimmons must be looking over their shoulders with this pick. If Gronkowski makes the roster one or both of the above will be gone. I still don’t see how Gronkowski fits into what the Lions are trying to build.

While I like how the Lions handled the Stafford negotiations, “here’s your offer, take it or leave it, because Curry has accepted the one we gave him”. The toughness shown in negotiations quickly disintegrated, as they gave Stafford the largest rookie contract ever.

The Lions had a need at MLB, D-Line, O-Line and CB. Of those positions they potentially addressed only MLB, and that is unlikely, for the 2009 season with this draft.

By drafting Murtha, and Hill, technically the Lions “filled” holes on the lines. Neither player will or should be starting, if even making the roster for 2009. Both players should end up on the developmental squad.

Levy and maybe even Follett will be moved from OLB inside so again technically the Lions addressed a need. Once again, neither player should be on the field.

I want to like this draft because in all likely-hood, the Lions will have 4 starters for the 2010 season coming out of the first 3 rounds in this draft, Stafford, Pettigrew, Delmas and Williams. If that happens, I’ll call the first half of this draft a success, and change my grade accordingly.

There were players available at 20, 33, and 76 that would have helped this team address bigger needs for the 2009 season, so that’s why my grade for this draft is a C- .