Roy Williams, WR, Texas Longhorns
Kevin Jones, RB, Virginia Tech Hokies
Teddy Lehman, LB, Oklahoma Sooners
Keith Smith, CB, McNeese St. "Who Cares"
Pretty solid draft if you ask me. Looks like we got three day one starters with this draft. I'm very excited over the prospects of our passing game. These guys are going to be able to stretch the defense and make big plays. And Kevin Jones should be a great running back. I'll admit I liked Steven Jackson a little more because of his hands out of the backfield, but I also like the speed Jones possesses. He's could break a couple big ones, especially running behind an improved line (see Damien Woody).
If this team plays well, and does what it should: dare I say playoffs? We've got so much more speed and athleticism all over the field than we had just two years ago. Also, I read Killer talking about how Dirty Davis put on some weight and is still flying around. Possibly replacement for Earl Holmes?
Just look at our nucleus:
Joey Harrington
Charles Rogers
Roy Williams
Kevin Jones
Jeff Backus
Damien Woody
Stockar McDougle
Shaun Rogers
Boss Bailey
Teddy Lehman
Dre Bly
Tell me that isn't something to be excited about for the future....
Everything I am reading about Keith Smith I like! He has a solid attitude and I think will be a great backup corner for us. I too like the ideas of Joey Harrington throwing to Charles Rogers and Roy Williams. We could have the fastest WR duo in the league. And Kevin Jones out of the backfield? That's something we didn't have at all last year. He was a consistant 100 yard rusher at Virginia Tech. They didn't use him as a receiver, but he nearly doubled his total receptions on the season in his one bowl game, when they did throw to him (6, 10). Teddy Lehman is someone who fits the Pistons motto "Going to Work." This guy will just flat out come to play, every week.
It's too bad we don't have a fourth rounder because there are still some quality guys avaliable. Someone I still hope we pick up somehow is Isaac Sopoaga from Hawaii. He is a first or second round prospect and I can't believe he's slipped this far. Some team is going to get a real steal...
Look for Millen to make a couple "less meaningless" trades tomorrow. Something like shipping Scotty Anderson out for a 6th or 7th round pick.
QB: Joey Harrington
WR: Charles Rogers
WR: Roy Williams
RB: Kevin Jones
TE: Casey Fitzsimmons
We have finally put targets all the way around Joey and it is time for him to break out. Scouts say your 3rd season in the West Coast offense is where you truly start to shine. Well we've got 2 of the Top 3 WR's in the draft the past two seasons combined, and a legitimate running back. Look for Joey to have a big season...big season.
Williams and the Lions' first-round choice last season, Charles Rogers, should combine to give Joey Harrington a dangerous young receiving tandem to throw to. This is a great pick for the Lions at this point. The Lions had the worst offense in the NFL in '03. How can this not help? Yeah, the Lions still need a running game -- last season, they averaged 83.6 running yards a game, worst in the league -- but they picked up a second-round pick in swapping places with the Browns, so look for Detroit to look at some running backs there.
Trade, trade and trade again. The fourth straight one. The Lions stepped into this spot, swapping with the Chiefs, to get their second first-round pick. And what a pick. After grabbing wideout Roy Williams with the No. 7 overall selection, the Lions grabbed Jones, a speedy guy with great moves and strength to burn. They've upgraded their poor offense to good, or better. Wow. They're the leaders in the clubhouse as best draft so far.
We love the Lions' picks. They went with Lehman here, and you could almost hear the champagne corks popping in Detroit. This guy turns on the switch and never turns it off. He's relentless. Not as talented as some of the other linebackers, but he makes up for it with his high-revving motor. The Lions will love this guy, and so will Detroit fans.
ESPN:
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This was a surprise. The Lions made out like bandits, getting the Browns' second-round pick (No. 37) in order to move down a single spot. The tradeoff was they didn't get Winslow or a running back, but they did get a receiver to play opposite Charles Rogers and give them one of the best young wide receiving corps in the NFL.
This is shaping up to be a great draft for the Lions and beleaguered GM Matt Millen. After ignoring the running back position for WR Roy WIlliams with their first pick, they traded back into the first round to draft RB Kevin Jones, the second-rated back behind Steven Jackson in this class.
Corey Chavous:
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On surprises: The first big surprise of the draft was Roy Williams falling to the Detroit Lions at No. 7. Pairing Williams with last year's No. 2 pick overall Charles Rogers could give the Lions one of the best receiving tandems in the history of the game if they both work hard enough. The Lions now have a ton of speed at receiver and two guys who'll compete for the No. 1 receiving spot, which should only make them better. Another surprise was St. Louis taking RB Steven Jackson. This move doesn't help the Rams take the step to the next level, which is what a veteran team should be trying to do.
Randy Mueller - CbsSportsline:
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Detroit Lions (from Kansas City)
The Lions desperately needed a back, and after passing on one earlier in the round, they made a bold move to go up and get Virginia Tech's Kevin Jones, the top back on our board. We love this move by the Lions, especially after they added Roy Williams earlier in the round. Joey Harrington has to be one happy quarterback.
Grade: A+
NFL.com:
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7 Roy Williams WR Texas
Vic Carucci's Analysis
His stock was on a steady climb in the days leading up to the draft. I thought there was a possibility he could go as high as No. 2 to Oakland, but his joining the Lions makes perfect sense. He is an extremely disciplined route runner, which is the exact quality Steve Mariucci wants in a receiver in his horizontal passing game. Williams will definitely help make Joey Harrington a better quarterback
30 Kevin Jones RB Virginia Tech
Vic Carucci's Analysis
You have to love what the Lions have done in this draft so far. They manuevered well to get a great receiver in Roy Williams with the seventh overall pick and made another impressive move by going up from the second round to get Kevin Jones, who some had rated as the best running back in the draft. His outside speed will be put to good use by Steve Mariucci.
37 Teddy Lehman OLB Oklahoma
Pat Kirwan's Analysis
Lehman is a versatile outside linebacker that can also play inside. He has good first-step quickness, good key and diagnose and if he plays weakside linebacker in the 4-3 defense, he will have over 100 tackles once he becomes a starter. With Barrett Green gone, that could be sooner rather than later. The Lions are having a very good draft.
73 Keith Smith CB McNeese State
Gil Brandt's Analysis
Smith is a "Yes, sir, no, sir," kind of guy thanks to his military background in Louisiana. He gained weight this past year and probably didn't play as well this year as he did last year.
ESPN: John Clayon
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Winners
Detroit Lions: Matt Millen is having his best offseason. He paid big money in free agency for guard Damien Woody and cornerback Fernando Bryant. He maneuvered in the draft aggressively, filling out the offense with wide receiver Roy Williams and halfback Kevin Jones.
Fox Sports:
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The Cardinals had bigger needs than receiver, but it's difficult to argue against their pick. Roy Williams, who went to Detroit at No. 7, has more high-end potential than Fitzgerald, but Fitzgerald is a safer selection. Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin will make a fantastic combination and help Josh McCown become an effective NFL quarterback.
The Lions played their hand perfectly, forcing the Browns to give up the ridiculous price of a second-round pick to move up one spot so they could take tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. Even if the Lions had not traded down, they probably would have selected Williams ahead of Winslow.
Williams, the receiver from Texas, was a great value at the seventh pick. In time, it's going to be nearly impossible to defend him, Charles Rogers and Joey Harrington. In Williams and Virginia Tech's Kevin Jones, whom the Lions selected later in the first round, Detroit got the best receiver and running back in the draft. What a day.
__________________
Quote:
Originally posted by PacersGuyUSA
Beer-Guy should be MVP for the Pistons this year. Way to go guy, you accomplished more than you set out for.
SELECTED BY DETROIT , ROUND 5, PICK 8, OVERALL PICK 140
OLB | (5'11", 228, 4.54) | WISCONSIN | COLLEGE STATS
Data from Scouts, Inc.
Grade: 49
Comments: Lewis is and upfield player with excellent bulk, strength, speed. Tough, physical, aggressive. Good pop at point of attack. Will jar a lot of balls loose. Best when turned loose upfield. Very good initial quickness. Explosive speed, closing burst as pass rusher. Excellent instincts, anticipation of snap when rushing passer. Short. Lacks instincts, football intelligence. Poor at reading keys. Takes false steps. Takes poor angles. Out of control at times, must be turned loose to be successful. Great speed, but merely a decent athlete. Too stiff in hips. Has trouble changing directions, turning and running. Will be limited in coverage in the NFL. Lewis took over the starting inside linebacker spot next to Jeff Mack as a senior in 2003. Lewis led the team in tackles for a loss and sacks in '03. Lewis is not as consistent as Mack against the run but is faster and a much bigger threat as a pass rusher. Lewis is rated higher than Mack and has a better chance of getting drafted because of his speed, burst and playmaking skills. Lewis is a poor man's Rosevelt Colvin with the upside to contribute as a rush linebacker in the right scheme. Lewis also should be a terrific special-teams player because of his size, toughness, power and speed.
The Daily Times: After the selection was announced, Jones ripped off his white shirt with vertical pink stripes and flexed his arms while the excited gaggle of people high-fived, cheered and shouted into the cameras: "Here’s the best running back in the league right here." ... When Chris Perry was picked ahead of him: "In the bathroom, I was bawling my eyes out," Jones said. "I was real frustrated, but I had no control over (the draft). Now, I have something to prove. I don’t know who the (starting running back) is, but I am going to start when I get there."
In a poll conducted by NFL.com, fans were asked "Which of the teams had the best Day One draft?"
The response was overwhelming. After 82,561 votes, the Lions got the nod from 34.9 percent of the voters. San Diego was next with 10.9 percent and New England was third with 9.2 percent.
Best pick: Getting Kevin Jones late in the first round is just what this team needs. He will be a star.
Questionable move: Surprisingly, there weren't any.
Steal: Second-round pick Teddy Lehman, a linebacker from Oklahoma, is going to be Pro Bowl player. Love the way he plays.
Overall grade: A+. Yes, Matt Millen deserves credit for this draft. They get a big-time receiver in Roy Williams, a star runner in Jones and fill some holes later on. This was a great draft.
__________________
Quote:
Originally posted by PacersGuyUSA
Beer-Guy should be MVP for the Pistons this year. Way to go guy, you accomplished more than you set out for.
Originally posted by froggyvk!
In a poll conducted by NFL.com, fans were asked "Which of the teams had the best Day One draft?"
The response was overwhelming. After 82,561 votes, the Lions got the nod from 34.9 percent of the voters. San Diego was next with 10.9 percent and New England was third with 9.2 percent.
This will be Harrington's make it or break it year in Detroit. In previous years he was young and didn't have a good supporting cast but that has all changed this off season. He will have one of the better WR corp by the end of the year and both the OL and the RB are improved. This team better win at least 8 or 9 games.
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