Who do we take if we trade down?
Twon82 made a FanShot with this website on it, which I loved using last year:
http://espn.go.com/nfl/draft10/features/draftmachine/
Now, Scouts, Inc. has some relatively ludicrous rankings on here (Gerald McCoy is their #1 prospect in the draft, among others) but it's awesome to be able to physically see a draft board develop as you create it, and also get a great gauge on most of the talent in the draft.
With that said, a lot of talk has been around IF the Lions trade down, who do we take? I think everyone has basically said "If Berry or Okung are there, I take them.". So, what if the pretty likely scenario occurs and they AREN'T there? I assume a trade with Cleveland, now that Seattle has spent a decent amount of money on a random QB. Consider this:
1 - STL - S. Bradford, QB
2 - CLE - J. Clausen, QB (via trade with DET)
3 - TB - N. Suh, DT
4 - WAS - R. Okung, OT
5 - KC - E. Berry, S
6 - SEA - G. McCoy, DT
In this situation, Seattle takes McCoy simply based on him being there to take, and the talent being to hard to pass on. I think they could definitely use a force on their DL, and that pick makes it easier to make my point, whether it happens or not.
Here's the question: at pick #7 overall, with Eric Berry, Russell Okung, and both top-flight DT's off the board, who do we take? Here are my picks, in order of personal preference:
Rolando McClain, ILB, Alabama - 6'4", 256 lbs
2009 Stats:
105 total tackles, 53 solo; 14.5 TFL; 4 sacks, 2 INT; 6 PD, 4 PBU, 14 QBH
Scouting Report (Courtesy of everyone's favorite website, WalterFootball.com)
My personal favorite to go to us, however unlikely, in the mid-early first, McClain shined in the BCS Championship game. The obvious similarity he would draw is to that of Ravens' ILB Ray Lewis, however, I think with his prototypical size and head for the game, some better comparisons would be to guys like Brian Urlacher and Patrick Willis. From what I've read, his lateral quickness leaves something to be desired, and may be better suited as an SLB in our scheme, which wouldn't end up being a bad move. I think Schwartz (along with myself) places a premium on players with a lot of heart and leadership ability, and McClain absolutely brings that to any team he's drafted by. Shift Levy to WLB for a while or just trade JP and stick McClain at SLB, and I think we've got a stalwart to go with our new MLB for quite a while.
Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech - 6'4", 270 lbs.
2009 Stats: 55 total tackles, 39 solo; 18.5 TFL; 12.5 sacks; 1 PBU, 2 QBH; 2 FF
Lots of people may say this is a reach here, but I honestly think that at his position, and behind McClain, Morgan is the premier defensive talent left at this point in the draft. Once again, great size for a DE, with a good deal of speed at 270 pounds. Very versatile and well rounded. On the line, it's great to have guys who are ridiculously good at what they do, whether it's penetration or run blocking, but many players end up being a liability in the other when they excel at one. Morgan is an extremely safe and talented player who could really help us out with his ability to get to the opposing QB. I draw some similarities to a guy like Aaron Kampman, who really isn't fit to cover, but can dominate on the defensive line.
Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State - 5'10", 190 lbs.
2009 Stats: 42 total tackles, 30 solo; 1 sack; 3 INTs, 2 TDs; 4 PD
Yes. I did it. I advocated drafting Kyle Wilson at #7 overall, and here's why: I did an entire write up, picture and all of Joe Haden here, until I realized that he and Wilson are almost the exact same. Same size, similar stat lines from last year (although I would argue Wilson's 2 TD's and production over his career are greater) and both are pretty much guaranteed 1st round locks. The difference? Haden plays for an (now exposed) overhyped Florida defense, and had much more national attention than Wilson. Kyle had as many INT's in his junior and senior years as Haden had in his career. Yes, I know that Boise State doesn't play the same level of competition that Florida does, but Wilson also didn't have the assistance of the level of teammates Haden enjoyed. I honestly think it's a wash, so in my humble opinion, if you're going to go CB, you go with the guy who you know better, who has better intangibles, and, of course, the dreadlocks. I know everyone is going to tear my head off for this, but I wouldn't personally be upset at all with Kyle Wilson here, and I don't know how you can say that it's a reach if you think Haden is good here as well.
In conclusion, what I realized in this writeup was that in a trade down scenario, defense is really the only choice. Our choices are pretty limited here, and as with our #2 pick, I don't really think we can lose either way. I'm beginning to realize that just accepting our fate and drafting Suh could be as good of a choice as any, but if we are able to trade with Cleveland or anyone else, and pick up some extra picks in the ultra deep draft while drafting a player like Wilson or McClain at the top, I'll be ecstatic.
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pride of Detroit or its writers. FanPosts are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable fans.
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My option: Trade Again because I don't like the options.
I projected the same scenario in my FanPost in answer to a “Trade with Cleveland” supporter. Ideally I would trade back again to a spot where Kyle Wilson made more sense, like # 14 to # 20. Or even farther and take McCourty around # 26 to # 30. Then use the three second round picks to really upgrade a few positions: RB [J. Best], LG [Saffold/Pouncey], and another Safety [Nate Allen] and add depth with the other third and/or fourth round pick ups.
Personally, I don’t really want to trade with Cleveland. Haden is the best player there but I would rather have Suh or Okung.
I have been for the trade down again for a LOOOONG time too.
I am not against Suh and I think if he is there and we dont trade down then its a no brainer. We need so much more on this team at other positions that I think Suh alone is not what we need. Unless say we get at least a LG in FA before the draft. O-line, CB, RB and SS is what we need, I know Suh is what we want.
Wilson
We need Corners we don’t need another linebacker morgan is intriguing but we are desperate for secondary players.
How do you keep a running back out of your secondary? You put up a LEVY.
+1
Honorary Driver of the Kyle Wilson Bus and Keeper of the Dreadlocks!
The 313 Missile Squadron: Delmas, Berry, Wilson, Houston......seek and destroy!
Hey, as long as Zack Follett keeps hitting people, he can rap to Barney the Dinosaur for all I care.
Bryan Bulaga
He’s basically got honorable mention for me here… I don’t think we take a depth player with our first rounder, but if he could fill in at guard for a year or two I think he has a shot. I actually like him better than Okung.
I like Bulaga too, more so because of what we get at trading down.
There is not much diffrence between Okung and Bulaga to me. So getting a extra 2nd rounder and Bulaga at a lower pick is great to me. I say trade next years #1 for one in this year. Then we could still get Wilson and have two 2nd rounders. Take Pouncey and McCourtney if they can or something close to that.
C.J. Spiller
and i hope like hell we dont trade down. I want Suh at 2, or Okung if hes gone, either way we get a good player.
Wilson or Hayden, voted Wilson
I really like him and I am not against us getting him if that is what the coaches think. I will leave that to them. I would although like to get next years 1st rounder into this years so we could get both Hayden and Wilson. Or at least get a O-line and 1 of these 2.
McClain
I was really tempted to go with Kyle Wilson, but McClain is a beast who is a nasty mofu and will knock you the f**k out. He’s the 3rd best player (IMO) in the draft behind Suh and Berry. A LBer corps of Peterson, McClain, Levy, Sims and Follet would scare the shit out of any opposing RBs.
Life is a waste of time and time is a waste of life... so lets get wasted all the time and have the time of our lives!
sure if we ran a 3-4 d
but since we dont have the line to do that it will not be a good choice unless you trade sims or peterson
Lions fan for life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wonders how you produce 8 seasons of below .500 football and mange to keep your job as a gm.. here's 1 man wondering what kind of black mail Millen had on the Ford family.
by lionsfan_772 on Mar 18, 2010 6:12 PM EDT up reply actions
In the post, that's what I said...
Drafting McClain would allow us to either trade JP or dedicate him to a rotational DE/OLB, or move Levy to WLB and trade Sims. Either way, it gives us even MORE flexibility.
in a trade down senerio..
players i like are: S Mays and Thomas OL Bulaga.. think Spiller is not worth a top 10
Lions fan for life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wonders how you produce 8 seasons of below .500 football and mange to keep your job as a gm.. here's 1 man wondering what kind of black mail Millen had on the Ford family.
by lionsfan_772 on Mar 18, 2010 6:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Too early for Mays
unless the GMs name is Al Davis
Life is a waste of time and time is a waste of life... so lets get wasted all the time and have the time of our lives!
my pick for the 7pick is earl thomas at ss he has the same skill as eric berry and is rated in the top teninthis draft..also like bryan bulage ot and he should also go in top ten draft.
thomas would be..
an awesome pick in a trade down senerio…i think he is not under rated just over shadowed by berry and the over hyped mays
Lions fan for life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wonders how you produce 8 seasons of below .500 football and mange to keep your job as a gm.. here's 1 man wondering what kind of black mail Millen had on the Ford family.
by lionsfan_772 on Mar 18, 2010 6:18 PM EDT up reply actions
no way
do we go LB. as for wilson being a top 10 not in this draft. that will be a BIG reach. it will be an OL BPA or mays at safety
Lions fan for life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wonders how you produce 8 seasons of below .500 football and mange to keep your job as a gm.. here's 1 man wondering what kind of black mail Millen had on the Ford family.
Haden
He is the best CB wat is the obsession with wilson in the top 10. If he is there in the 2nd round fine but Haden is by far the best CB in the draft. I rather not trade down and take Suh.
Not from what I've seen
At the beginning of the season, I’d have agreed with you about Haden, but it’s looking more and more like he was just another overhyped Florida product… Look at the two players stat lines. Look at combine performance. Look at intangibles. If they aren’t neck in neck, Wilson is a half step ahead.
Yes, I’m a Kyle Wilson homer, but I just can’t see how you can possibly say either is a league ahead of the other, and if you can justify taking Haden at 7, then I don’t see how Wilson can’t be in the same discussion.
I agree.
I don’t really think one has any significant advantage over the other. I do believe Haden’s 40 at the combine is not as significant as many people believe, regardless of whether he had a back injury or not. If you’ve watched him play, it’s clear that his speed is not an issue.
However, the point about their teammates talent level is what sticks with me. Kyle Wilson didn’t have the luxury of having one of the best, if not THE best front 7 in college football last year to pressure QB’s into making bad decisions/throws.
And of course, the dreads are a nice touch. Now we just need to find a SS with dreads and we can have an all-dreads secondary.
I was reluctant
……but given the choices, I went with Morgan because I am thinking along the lines of sending in fresh legs to penetrate the line. I completely agree with Mr. Northleft’s suggestion of trading down in that scenario. His ideas and opinions are always so cerebral that it is hard to disagree with him. I have always held his opinions in the highest regard, as he seems to back up his opinions with facts, links, and suggestions that are very intelligent. I wish he could work along side Mayhew.
Bulaga or Haden
Inclined to go with Bulaga and pick up a corner later.
Just give me 25 guys on the last year of their contracts; I'll win a pennant every year....Sparky Anderson
Haden would be my pick
Or possibly Morgan. Bulaga would be a decent pick as well.
"Zack Follett: he will hurt your mind." - Pride Leader, Sean Yuille, wielder of the Ban Hammer.
2010 Wests Tigers : Current record - 1-0 : Current Position - 8th : Last game - Defeated Manly Sea Eagles 26 -22

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