Even with Calvin Johnson breaking a NFL record, the 2012 season was a disaster for the Detroit Lions. The issue, is their defense which couldn’t stop the run or pass.
Here’s a look at how the team will draft.
First Round No.5: Ezekiel Ansah, DE, BYU
The Lions lost Cliff Avril to the Seattle Seahawks who led the team with 9.5 sacks in 2012 and in February Kyle Vanden Bosch got released. Meaning that Ansah is the likely pick here. For BYU he was in on 62 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, broke up nine passes, recorded an interception and forced a fumble.
Second Round No.36: D.J. Hayden, CB, Houston
Needing an upgrade in the secondary Hayden will offer that. There are concerns about his health as he nearly died from a hit he took in practice and is now back at 100 percent. Played in nine games recording four interceptions, 61 tackles, eight passes broken up, 1.5 tackles for loss and forced a fumble.
While he intercepted two passes in 2011, Hayden forced five fumbles, picked up a sack, broke up 11 passes, returned an interception for a touchdown and recovered a fumble.
Third Round No.65: Marquess Wilson, WR, Washington State
His time at WSU ended in controversy the Lions might overlook that as Wilson adds another tall receiver to the mix and makes it more difficult for teams to focus on Johnson. Wilson excelled as a freshman in 2010 with 55 receptions for 1006 yards, a 18.3 yards per reception average and six touchdowns.
Wilson’s best year came as a sophomore catching 82 passes for 1,388 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Fourth Round No. 132: Chris Faulk, LSU, OT
Faulk played in the 2012 opener before being lost for the remainder of the season due to injury. The season before was an excellent one and he blocks well.
Fifth Round No.137: Tharold Simon, CB, LSU
Got the chance to start when four of the five members of the LSU secondary didn’t return for the 2012 season. Simon recorded 45 tackles, nine passes broken up and four interceptions. The season before he picked off two passes, was in on 42 tackles including 2.5 for loss, broke up 10 passes and forced a fumble.
Sixth Round No.171: Quanterus Smith, DE, Western Kentucky
An injury ended his season prematurely in 2012, yet Smith impressed with 38 tackles including 18.5 for loss, 12.5 sacks, three fumbles forced and a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown. He also dominated D.J. Fluker who is one of the better offensive tackles in the draft.
Seventh Round No. 211: Travis Long, OLB, Washington State University
Long had a solid 2012 season recording 8.5 sacks, 12 tackles for loss, in on 61 tackles, forced a fumble and intercepted a pass.
Seventh Round No.245: Ryan Allen, P, Louisiana Tech
The Lions need a punter and Allen had a great season for Louisiana Tech. He had 45 punts for 2,162 yards, good for an average of 48 yards per punt, a long of 85 and he also completed a pass. In 2011 he punted 83 times for 3,828 yards and averaged 46.1 yards per punt.
