Detroit Lions Weblog

Broncos MLB Wilson Next Step in Broncos/Lions Pipeline? Duckett Wants to Compete for Feature Back Role

The Broncos are rumored to have made All-Pro MLB Al Wilson available for trade.   The Lions, along with the Eagles and Giants, appear to be on a short list of potential trade partners for the Broncos.   Wilson’s acquisition would immediately shore up the middle linebacker spot for the Lions, which has been somewhat of a roster void during recent seasons, in what many consider to be the most difficult, and important, position to fill in the Tampa Cover-2 defensive scheme.

It is not immediately clear what the Lions would have to give up for Wilson, although the second overall draft pick would be a convenient starting point for the Broncos, and it is also not clear what the Lions would receive in return besides Wilson. 

The Lions have been rumored to be quite enamored with Ole Miss MLB Patrick Willis. Any future trade for Wilson would mean that they are no longer in need of a player to play MLB, and likely rule out drafting Willis.  Willis has tremendous upside, but Wilson could contibute immediately and would significantly reduce their list of pre-draft needs, which makes the trade so appealing. 

At this point, the upcoming month for the Lions will be the most important, and intriguing, during Matt Millen’s 6-yr. tenure.   If Millen can seize the full value of their draft pick by trading for additional draft picks or players, the team could experience a dramatic, quick turnaround.   I definitely have more confidence in Millen’s decision-making with the presence of both Mike Martz and Rod Marinelli within the organization to help shape a more well-defined vision of what exactly the team needs add/change to improve.  That considered, the Lions can’t afford to whiff over the course of the next month.  Any Harrington, Rogers or Mike Williams-type draft disasters would set this organization back several years further in their attempts to achieve any parity-fueled success.

T.J. Duckett has made it known that he would like to compete for a feature running back role, as opposed to occupying short-yardage, goal-line, situational role.  Duckett, who isn’t perceived as a great blocker and is not known for posessing great hands, would overcome long odds if he were able to garner a feature role.   Duckett carrying the ball often would also be a clear indicator that Marinelli has instructed Martz to shift to a more power-oriented running attack in his playcalling.  

The addition of Duckett, at the very least, gives the Lions the opportunity to more effectively preserve third and fourth quarter leads by grinding it out with Jones and Duckett.  The other positive element of adding Duckett, in my eyes, is that providing Mike Martz with another tool for his bag of tricks, can only help and not hurt the Lions.