Pat Caputo: Lions Should Move Up In The Draft
Traditionally, the most overused cliché prior to the NFL Draft is, "The best player available."
Every team claims they don't draft for a particular position. And most teams, on draft day, make several picks that are based on position of need.
The past several years, though, the Lions have been the exception. That's because, frankly, they needed every thing.
This April will be different. It's unlikely, with the 13th overall selection in the draft, the Lions will take "the best player available." That's because it will likely be a defensive lineman, probably a tackle. It's projected that eight-to-10 of the players selected in the first round will be defensive linemen. It is easily the position with the greatest depth in this draft.
And defensive line is the Lions' obvious strength. Tackle Ndamukong Suh is a truly great player. Corey Williams isn't much behind him. Massive Sammy Hill provides excellent depth. The Lions have a small fortune invested in end Kyle Vanden Bosch, the ultimate "character" player. Cliff Avril and Lawrence Jackson are both capable ends.
