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April 28, 2009

James Cook: Who wouldn't fill a need

By JAMES COOK

Grading drafts shortly afterward is pretty much an exercise in futility.

Just go back and read glowing reviews of Matt Millen's picks of Joey Harrington, Charles Rogers and Mike Williams to see why.

But the Detroit Lions appear to have selected a solid draft class when all things are taken into consideration.

They landed what were rated as the top players available at their respective positions with their first three picks -- quarterback Matt Stafford, tight end Brandon Pettigrew and free safety Louis Delmas.

But some Lions fans aren't happy that the team didn't address certain needs via the draft. But look at it this way: When you need help everywhere, taking the best player available fills a need.

The only player the Lions reached for was Wisconsin linebacker DeAndre Levy, who they could have gotten in the fourth round. But the Lions didn't have a fourth-rounder, so they traded back a little, picked up a few extra picks, and took the guy they wanted to play middle linebacker in the mid-third.

Mammoth defensive tackle Sammie Hill has drawn comparisons as a not-lazy version of Shaun Rogers, Nebraska tackle Lydon Murtha could be a steal in the seventh and Detroit added two productive and active linebackers in Levy and Zach Follett.

Throw in a pair of players who can return kicks in receiver Derrick Williams and running back Aaron Brown and a blocking tight end near the end of day and the Lions added what could be 10 players who will make the team. Add that to about 20 players brought in via free agency and trades, and the turnover from an 0-16 squad could be nearly 60 percent of the team's 53-man roster.

When you're bad, change is a good thing.

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