The Detroit Dilemma

With the draft approaching, Detroit Lions general manager Matt Millen and second year head coach Rod Marinelli have many decisions to make. Should they draft offense or defense? Are they looking for starters or depth at a certain position? But the question that will loom over their heads come draft day, if they should be put in the position to answer it, is:

If Calvin Johnson becomes available at number two overall, will the Detroit Lions draft another wide receiver?

Over the past five years, the Lions have drafted a wide receiver with three of their first round picks and an offensive player (RB Kevin Jones in 2004 and QB Joey Harrington in 2002) in four of those five years. If you want to go back further, the team has draft an offensive tackle the two years in a row previous to Harrington's arrival from Oregon. Only last year, under Marinelli, did they draft a defensive player, linebacker Ernie Sims. It seems that Matt Millen is a deer in the headlights when a top wide receiver flashes across the board. So, can the Lions' brass resist should Johnson become available to them at the second pick overall?

I am going to say "no"...with my fingers crossed behind my back.

The only wideout that seems to have worked out for the Lions is Roy Williams (pictured right). He's maintained his position with the Lions as their number one receiver and has shown flashes of dominance in being one of the top receivers in the NFL. Last year he caught 82 balls for 1,310 yards and seven touchdowns. But the other two top picks at wideout have not come close to Roy's dominance last year.

Mike Williams, drafted tenth overall, caught only 29 passes for 350 yards in his rookie campaign and just eight catches for 99 yards last year. He's never cracked the third spot on the depth charts and looks to be following fellow first round dud, Charles Rogers, out of town and into the unemployment line. Like Rogers, (Mike) Williams has had nothing but attitude clashes with the coaching staff and his underperformance in practice has kept him planted on the bench for gameday. For those reasons, the Lions should pass on drafting a wideout and look at offensive tackle, Joe Thomas.

At this last weekend's scouting combine at the RCA dome in Indianapolis, Joe Thomas (below, right) dazzled scouts with an exceptional performance. He ran the 40 yard dash in under five seconds, posting a 4.92. He showed great strength bench pressing 225 pounds 31 times. Thomas has not only had an impressive college career, but he has shown the strength and agility at the combine that an NFL starting tackle needs to compete in the modern game.


Calvin Johnson (above, left) was equally as impressive at the scouting combine this weekend. He timed out in the 40 yard dash at 4.35 seconds. What is more impressive is that Johnson did it in borrowed shoes. Initially, he was not going to run, but he then changed his mind and borrowed a pair of track shoes from another athlete. Johnson's size and strength is more than ideal for NFL teams, and when you package that with his skill and speed, you have the makings of a dominant wideout. But, then again, Lions fans have heard this story before.

As of now, all arrows point to Thomas. The Lions have released veteran tackle, Ross Verba, and appear to be clearing a roster spot for Thomas. If they hope to succeed in a passing attack constructed by "offensive genius" Mike Martz, they need to solidify their offensive line not add to a crowded receiver corps. If they have any hopes of keeping John Kitna off of his back for the 2007 season, they must address their issue with the line. Thomas makes sense at number two overall. However, considering Calvin Johnson's performance at the combine and their history of drafting receivers, I completely understand why Lions fans will be nervous when Detroit is on the clock and Johnson is still available.

Roy Williams picture taken from MSNBC.com.
Calvin Johnson and Joe Thomas picture taken from ESPN.com.