Detroit Lions Weblog

Lions Re-sign CB Cash, LB Rainer

The Lion’s front office continues to perform a yeoman’s job this offseason in free agency. Going into the draft, this is the deepest and most talented roster they have fielded in the Millen era. That being said, the Lions are still a 6-10 team who have numerous positions that can and should be upgraded. Still, the team will have a number of different choices they can make with their pick at #10. In years past, with their lack of depth and with the additional economic pressures of the salary cap-era accounted for, the team would have been forced to draft more for immediate needs. With the signings of players like Cash and Rainer, Millen can really seize the opportunity he has been given this upcoming season in the poor NFC Central Division.

With just over 2 weeks until the draft (April 23rd), it is really unclear what direction the Lions may been heading with their first round pick. They have mentioned that they will be seeking to draft a mid to late round QB to develop as a 3rd stringer. They have also mentioned that they believe that the draft is a deep draft for offensive lineman and it is their belief that a quality linemen could also be added in the mid to late rounds who may not be of the quality to start immediately but could provide needed depth.

With the premium placed on pass rushing Defensive Ends and Kalimba Edwards inability to remain healthy and perform up to expectations, Defensive End would appear to be a likely 1st round draft choice. Erasmus James has had several scouts question his durabilty (extensive injury history), lack of experience, and the fact that he appeared to slow down as the season progressed last year. Many of the DE’s who are highly touted are DE/LB tweeners better suited as Linebackers for the 3-4 defense (Shawne Merriman, David Pollack, Justin Tuck, DeMarcus Ware) or are bigger Defensive Ends are who also more suited for the 3-4 (Marcus Spears, Chris Canty). That leaves the Lions with some desirable options in conventional 4-3 Defensive Ends like the pernicious Matt Roth (Lion fans would love this guy, the coaches had to be careful so that he didn’t hurt his teammates in practice) and USC’s Dan Cody who could be selected later in the draft.

Speaking of the draft, their are three players who would reside at or near the top of my wish list to fall into the Lions laps: WR Mike Williams, LB Derrick Johnson and QB Jason Campbell. Williams and Johnson will probably unavailable, unless the Lions decide to trade up. Campbell projects as an late 1st round or early 2nd round selection, again highly unlikely a player the Lions will be able to draft. Conventional thinking, it would appear, has the Lions selecting DE Erasmus James, DE/LB Shawne Merriman, OT Alex Barron, or if they trade down, TE Heath Miller.