Earlier this week, I looked at what the Lions might do in the NFL Draft on offense. So now, obviously, it is time for me to turn my attention to defense. While the Lions defense was good this season, and they have a lot of talent, there is still room for improvement at a few positions. I don't see any glaring needs in their defense, but almost every position would benefit from the use of an early draft pick or two.
As I mentioned in the last piece, free agency will impact what the Lions will do in the Draft. Free agency seems more likely to shape the defense as well due to the players who will be free agents on Detroit, most notably Cliff Avril, who really emerged this season. Hopefully the Lions will be able to keep him. If they can't, then taking a defensive end would be a good decision. Even if he stays, taking a defensive end in the first couple of round would still be reasonable. Kyle Vanden Bosch is getting older, and behind him and Avril are a handful of solid, but unspectacular, players such as Lawrence Jackson.
In the first round, if Melvin Ingram from South Carolina manages to be there at 23, he would be perhaps the best pick available for them. He's a good athlete, and he's looked good at the Senior Bowl. Nick Perry from USC should be there, and he's another possibility. However, with my already mentioned desire for the Lions to take an offensive lineman in the first round, maybe taking a defensive end in the second round would be better. Whitney Mercilus from Illinois or Vinny Curry from Marshall would be intriguing prospects if still available. Marshall is apparently a player on the rise, as well.
The Lions don't need a defensive tackle, and they probably don't need a middle linebacker either. Maybe they could take an outside linebacker like Zach Jones from North Carolina or Lavonte David from Nebraska in the second round. Although, the notion of the Lions taking Vontaze Burfict, an inside linebacker from Arizona State is intriguing if he is there at 23, which he likely will be. He's super talented, but he takes a lot of dumb penalties. Sounds about right for the Lions, eh?
Detroit could definitely use another cornerback, although they may not need a starter. However, with so many high powered pass offenses out there, you need depth at the position. They could possibly take Alfonzo Dennard from Nebraska in the first round, although his stock is apparently slipping. I think taking somebody like Chase Minnifield from Virginia in the second round would be a better idea. It is also possible that Janoris Jenkins will slip to their range in the second round, given the fact he had to leave Florida due to marijuana related issues. They could consider taking a safety, but I like what Amari Spievey has done so far.
Again, free agency will impact things, but right now a defensive end and a cornerback should probably be taken in the first three rounds, along with an offensive lineman. None of these needs are particularly pressing, which is a nice situation to be in, but all of them should be addressed in Detroit's quest to take their team to the next level. As the 2012 NFL Draft gets closer, and after free agency has happened, the picture will get clearer for the Lions. For now, however, these are just some early possibilities.
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