This is a grade for the Detroit Lions 2009 NFL draft, in which they had the number one overall pick. Keep in mind that you can’t really grade an NFL draft for at least 2 years. I won’t feel safe grading the Matthew Stafford pick for at least 3 seasons. It takes longer to judge a quarterback in my opinion. All information on players used in the Detroit Lions 2009 NFL draft grade come from NFL.com. If you want to read more on the Lions free agent moves and team needs then click here.
I am lukewarm on the pick of Matthew Stafford as they are going to lose and get him killed if he plays. Better quarterbacks will be available next season and they would have done better going for offensive line or defense.
The Detroit Lions draft grade goes up a tad with Brandon Pettigrew who may be a top flight tight end in the NFL. The former Oklahoma State player is 6ft 5 inches tall and is a talented receiver. If Stafford plays right away he will need a good tight end to throw to.
I love the Lions 3rd pick which was Louis Delmas from Western Michigan. Delmas is a hitter and will be an immediate upgrade in a weak Lions secondary. Hell the Lions tried to trade for Ken Lucas with the Panthers. Lucas was burned more than my daughter’s toast last season in Carolina.
DeAndre Levy may be a good pick, the 6ft 2 inch linebacker from Wisconsin may be a day one starter. I do think the Lions could have went offensive line here but Levy is a good fit.
The Lions can never pass up drafting a wide receiver and Derrick Williams from Penn State is this year’s project. Williams will be used on special teams at least during 2009. Don’t expect much on offense as rookie wide receivers usually struggle.
Sammie Lee Hill has a cool name if nothing else. Look for him to be a possible practice team player as he learns the pro game. Frankly I have never heard of his school, Stillman. But a 6ft 4 320 pound defensive tackle can be a good run stuffer if he learns the NFL game.
Aaron Brown a running back out of TCU may have been a bit of a reach for the Lions in the 6th round of the 2009 NFL draft. Look for him to make the roster with special teams play if he makes the team.
I love the size of 6ft 7 offensive tackle Lydon Murtha out of Nebraska. The Lions waited a long time to address their offensive line though and that lowers their 2009 draft grade with me.
Zach Follett a linebacker from California is a nod to the special teams if he makes the roster.
Dan Gronkowski was a good pick as a tight end out of Maryland. He is a better blocker than Pettigrew and I expect him to be on the opening day roster for the Detroit Lions.
The 2009 NFL draft grade for the Detroit Lions is a C+ depending on how Stafford works out. I love the Delmas pick but they waited too long to address their offensive line issues. Of course they could always move wide body Daunte Culpepper to guard.
Sources
NFL.com
