Detroit Lions Weblog

Lions 2006 Draft Analysis

RD 1 Ernie Sims WLB Florida State
RD 2 Daniel Bullocks S Nebraska
RD 3 Brian Calhoun RB/KR Wisconsin
RD 4 Traded to New England ‘05
RD 5 Jonathan Scott OT Texas
RD 6 Dee McCann CB West Virginia
RD 7 Fred Matua G USC
RD 7 Anthony Cannon LB Tulane

With the 2006 NFL Draft completed, it is apparent that Rod Marinelli’s fingerprints are all over the draft selections that were selected by Matt Millen. The first two draft picks were devoted to the immediate needs that the team will have in installing their new Tampa Cover-2 zone defense. The third round pick, Brian Calhoun, could evolve into a poor man’s Marshall Faulk in Mike Martz’s offensive scheme and may help the Lion’s in addressing some future personnel needs. The late rounds saw the Lions drafting players who could possibly upgrade the Offensive Line and a player who could press into the personnel mix at Cornerback.

The one aspect of the draft that absolutely signifies that it is one of Millen’s is his continued obsession with selecting players from the major football factories around the country (i.e. USC, Texas, et al). Very rarely have we seen Millen select a player from a mid-major school or an extremely small school since drafting David Kircus in the 6th round of 2003( or DE John Tayor in ‘02). My suspicion is that a large part of selecting Kircus had to with his being from a regional school (Grand Valley State).

Ernie Sims is an exciting selection for the Lions. He fits like a glove as a weakside LB in their new defensive scheme. The Lions hope to cultivate their very own Derrick Brooks in Sims. Sims’ athleticism, ferocious hitting, and nasty competitive attitude all factored into the Lion’s selecting him. He does come with some concern. He has suffered multiple concussions at FSU, was charged in a domestic assault case, and is undersized (he could easily be a strong safety). The concussions are a major concern yet Sims has not missed a game due to concussion. It remains to be seen what ability Sims will display in avoiding being engulfed by offensive linemen who will usually have a huge height and weight advantage over him in the NFL.

Daniel Bullocks should perform well in the Lion’s new defense. He is very stout in run support and has the athleticism necessary to develop into a good coverage safety, which is very important in the cover-2 zone defense. If there is a knock on Bullocks, it is that his coverage skills aren’t completely developed and the Lions will have to work very hard to bring him up to speed. At the very least, the Lions have enhanced the competition amongst players like Jon McGraw, Terrence Holt, and Idrees Bashir for playing time/roster spots with the selection of Bullocks. I still have some concerns about Bullocks as a future player and thought that the Lions may have been better served drafting a Guard, off-the-edge pass rushing Defensive End or a Cornerback in the second round.

Brian Calhoun is a productive, undersized back who may be able to fit into the mold of a poor man’s Marshall Faulk under the tutelage of Coaches Mike Martz and Wilbert Montgomery. Calhoun has excellent hands and will likely used be used in the slot as well as in the backfield in the Lions new offensive scheme. According to Tom “Killer” Kowalski at MLive.com, the selection of Calhoun is a signal of potential impending doom to a couple of Lion’s veterans. Kowalski says that the Lions are unhappy with Return Specialist Eddie Drummond because he has not performed well as a slot receiver. A major motivation in extending Drummond’s contract was that he would become a contributor on offense, as well as special teams. Also Kowalski reports that Artose Pinner is unhappy with his role on the team and hasn’t participated in offseason workouts. Calhoun could logically take either of these players roster spots if the Lions chose to explore a different direction. Pinner could possibly be an addition to the Joey Harrington trade with the Dolphins since the Dolphins need an additional running back to backup Ronnie Brown after the suspension of Ricky Williams. The selection of Calhoun could also mean using more formations where Shawn Bryson or possibly (going out on a limb here) Casey FitzSimmons will play FB and the impending release of Corey Schlesinger and/or Will Matthews. Fullback will be a highly devalued roster spot in the Lions new offensive scheme. Of all of the Lions picks, this was easily the most controversial and will be heavily questioned. The Lions have so MANY obvious needs to address before the beginning of next season, it is stupefying that they would select a running back so high in the draft. If Calhoun is not an immediate contributor this pick will be very costly, even with Kowalski’s recent reports considered.

Jonathan Scott will add depth to the Lions offensive line and could conceivably provide immediate competition with Right Tackle Kelley Butler. Scott is massive and will be a very good road-grading type of blocker. However, there has been issues in his pass blocking and his effort has been questioned in the past. I like the selection of Scott and hope he contributes immediately. I am very concerned that the Lions should have considered an offensive line selection a round or two earlier than the 5th round.

Dee McCann will compete for a roster spot at Cornerback. He is a larger, cover-2 type of corner who will provide solid run support and will have a better chance of NFL success in a zone defense than in man-to-man press coverage. With the health questions surrounding Fernando Bryant, the losses of R. W. McQuarters and Andre Goodman, and the questionable preparedness to contribute of Keith Smith and Stanley Wilson, Jr. , McCann will add to the roster competition and could be a diamond in the rough in this scheme.

Fred Matua will figure into the Guard competition amongst Rick DeMulling, Rex Tucker and Barry Stokes. Matua is a tough player who many analysts project as a capable backup as opposed as someone who will emerge as starter. Since the Lions have been so terrible at Guard in recent years, Matua may have been gifted with his best opportunity to be given a chance to start in the NFL.

The Lions final selection was LB Anthony Cannon. Cannon is an undersized LB who fits into the team’s new defensive scheme but faces long odds at having a chance of making the team. He may be able to hang on as a special teams player but the Lions are particularly deep in special teams-type LB’s with players like Donte Curry, LeVar Woods, Nate Wayne, James “Dirty” Davis and Alex Lewis all currently holding roster spots. I believe that it is quite likely that McCann, Matua and Cannon could be placed onto the team’s practice squad in hopes of them all developing into future contributors.

I am very concerned that the Lions have only added two obvious immediate contributors in this draft (Bullocks and Sims). Calhoun should be able to become a contributor with his obvious versatility. Beyond that, none of these players are even guaranteed a future roster spot. I find it very interesting that the team has done nothing to improve their edge rush in the offseason either via free agency, trade, or the draft (except re-sign Kalimba Edwards). Unless the team’s defensive coaches can work miracles with Kalimba Edwards, James Hall and company, Defensive End will remain a very serious concern for this organization.