The Detroit Lions have certainly helped themselves again this offseason, but I still don't think they are a playoff team just yet. While the return of Matthew Stafford will certainly be a boost to this offense, I think the Lions are overrated offensively.

Mikel LeShoure figured to be an important piece in Detroit's offense, but we won't be able to see how he fits in this year. Jahvid Best is a mediocre back, and I think Jerome Harrison will win the starting job. He isn't a special player by any means, but Harrison is a better rusher than anybody on this roster.

The Lions strength on offense is easily their group of receivers. There's no doubt that Calvin Johnson is one of the top five most talented and dangerous receivers in the NFL today. Titus Young, Nate Burleson, and Rashied Davis are all serviceable wideouts to compliment Johnson. Although Brandon Pettigrew's stats are inflated, he is a very good pass-catching tight end who gets a ton of targets. Last year, Shaun Hill proved that he is among the best backups out there in Stafford's absence. The Lions would obviously really like Stafford to play every game this year, but they can feel comfortable knowing that they have a backup who isn't all that bad.

Even though the passing attack is solid, the offensive line likely won't be helping out Stafford and Co. enough in 2011. Left tackle Jeff Backus is decent, but you don't want your best offensive lineman to be just "decent". Left guard Rob Sims is poor, Dominic Raiola is mediocre, Stephen Pearman was great in 2009 but was awful last year, and Gosder Cherilus is extremely close to being considered a bust. They are subpar in pass protection and are a horrible run blocking unit.

I count seven players on the Lions' defensive line who can make a sizeable impact. Collectively, they are one of the best three defensive lines in the entire league. Cliff Avril is far too underrated, and he is the best pass rusher on this line (better than Suh and Vanden Bosch). Avril is athletic and explosive, and he is one of the best third down pass rushers in the game. Lawrence Jackson is a capable backup, and Kyle Vanden Bosch is the veteran who everybody loves.

On the interior, rookie Nick Fairley figures to make an impact behind veteran starter Corey Williams. I am glad that the Lions chose to start Williams over Fairley, even though Fairley has more hype. Last season's Defensive Rookie of the Year Ndamukong Suh is one of the best interior pass rushers in the game, but he definitely needs to work on his run-stopping ability. Sammie Lee Hill will rotate in frequently and is an overlooked player who was terrific last year after a terrible 2009 campaign.

In yet another productive offseason, the Lions completely revamped their linebackers and no longer have one of the worst back sevens in the league. They still have an awful secondary, but they now have a very nice looking group of LBs. Expert run-stopper/tackling machine Stephen Tulloch was signed as a free agent, as well as another great run-stuffing linebacker in Justin Durant. One of those two players will likely be a 2 down linebacker, and that guy is probably going to be Durant. Neither of these two can cover at all, but both are very valuable linebackers.

I have no idea why Chris Houston is currently listed as the starter over Eric Wright. Right now, Wright is the team's only solid corner. He's a pretty good player, but I can't say the same for Houston. Alphonso Smith is listed as the other starter, but Smith is terrible. He can make big plays from time to time, but he is absolutely terrible in coverage. He gambles all the time, and his backup- Nathan Vasher- is even worse. Remember when Vasher used to be good though?

Free Safety Louis Delmas is a little overrated, but he's still a good player overall. Jim Schwartz says that Amari Spievey is poised to break out next year, and the Lions better hope that he does. They need some more production out of their secondary; although a good season from Spievey will never negate terrible cornerback play.

The Lions have made progress, but they are an overrated team. I think they're going to end up being 8-8 at best, and I don't see them making the playoffs. However, they will be a playoff team if they make serious upgrades in the secondary and add a solid tackle and guard to the offensive line.

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2011 NFL Draft Team Grades Part 2

May 3rd 2011 14:29

Detroit Lions B minus- Nick Fairley slipped, and the Lions knew that his value at the 13th pick was too good to pass up on. While he doesn't fill a need- the Lions are already beastly at D-Tackle with Suh, Corey Williams, and Sammie Lee Hill- Fairley was far too talented to not pick. Titus Young will definitely help out Matthew Stafford because Detroit's third receiver last year- Bryant Johnson- was horrendous. Mikel LeShoure will spell the end of Kevin Smith in Detroit.

Green Bay Packers B minus- Derek Sherrod was needed to bulk up the tackles, and Randall Cobb was a nice selection at the end of the second round. He's a playmaking receiver that will most likely replace James Jones. Cobb will probably handle returns, and he will also make an impact in the passing game because the Packers love their four receiver sets.To me, Davon House was the best pick the Packers made. Although they are already stocked at corner, House was a steal as a compensatory pick in the fourth round. House fits what Dom Capers does defensively, and he is another one of those really good press corners. D.J. Williams was a solid 5th round choice at tight end.

Houston Texans B I thought the Texans did a good job in the first round by making the safe choice and getting J.J. Watt. His pass rushing abilities will alleviate the pressure put on the corners to perform their pass coverage duties. Brooks Read is a huge upgrade over the Texans' other outside linebackers, and he will also make an early impact as a pass rusher. Brandon Harris was a solid pick, and he should be better than Kareem Jackson.

Indianapolis Colts A minus- I thought the Colts did a great job in this draft. Anthony Castonzo and Benjamin Ijalana were huge upgrades on the O-Line, and Delonte Carter brings another body into the running game. Drake Nevis is a great one-gap DT that fits the Colts' scheme perfectly. Getting him in the third round was a steal. Bill Polian is such a beast.

Jacksonville Jaguars D plus- I really didn't like this draft for the Jags. While Blaine Gabbert is good, and William Rackley is solid; there was nothing else I liked in this draft for them.

Kansas City Chiefs A I thought Scott Pioli and the Chiefs turned in another really good draft. Jonathan Baldwin was a huge risk, but he'll finally give them a big-play receiver. Justin Houston will give the Chiefs a nice pass rusher next to Tamba Hali. Rodney Hudson gives the Chiefs O-Line depth and will be a solid starter once Casey Wiegmann retires. Wiegmann will also mentor Hudson. Allen Bailey gives the Chiefs depth, and he fits their system well. Jalil Brown will give the Chiefs a lot of depth at corner, and Ricky Stanzi will develop into a good backup.

Miami Dolphins F plus- Mike Pouncey will come in and be a solid starter, and Edmond Gates is a sleeper receiver. However, there was nothing else that I even remotely liked about the Dolphins' draft.

Minnesota Vikings A If you think a QB can be that guy for your team, then take him the first chance you get to. Bill Musgrave runs a strict West Coast Offense filled with PA's and bootlegs. Ponder will succeed there, and he's the best WCO QB prospect we've seen in the last few years. Kyle Rudolph gives the Vikings another tight end option. Christian Ballard was a steal in the fourth round, and he can play end or tackle although his true position is tackle. 6th rounder Brandon Fusco is one of my sleepers. The center out of Slippery Rock gives the Vikes another O-Lineman on a terrible line, and I think he has a chance to start and play well at the end of the year.