What If The Detroit Lions Drafted Differently?

In 2008, the Detroit Lions became the first ever perfect defeated team with an outstanding NFL record of 0-16. No NFL team has ever accomplished this feat, so congratulations on setting a record that may never be broken (since an 18-week regular season is maybe two or three years away). Perhaps the Lions will also go for an 0-18 record at that point?

Again, Congratulations To The Detroit Lions For Their Perfect 0-16 Season!

Any Detroit sports fan knows the absolute horrific job Matt Millen did as General Manager of the Detroit Lions. Millen was a linebacker for 12 years and then became an acclaimed color commentator for CBS, then Fox. In 2001, Millen accepted the CEO and General Manager job for the Detroit Lions.

He had NO EXPERIENCE being in the front office of a football team. Yet, he was the second highest paid general manager in the NFL ($5 million per year). A lot of blame goes to Millen for his bad draft picks (and rightfully so).

But if you were offered $5 million a year to run a company you had no experience at, you would take the money wouldn't you? You would at least learn how to do the job effectively over time right? You can't really blame Matt Millen for taking the money every year if the Lions owner William Clay Ford is going to keep paying him to win or lose games.

After an 0-3 start to the 2008 NFL season, the pain of Millen is gone as he was fired on September 24, 2008 (now an "official" holiday in Michigan).

Below are the abbreviations for the positional players:


QB = quarterback
RB = running back
FB = full back
WR = wide receiver
TE = tight end

C = center
OT = offensive tackle
OG = offensive guard

DT = defensive tackle
DE = defensive end

LB = line backer

CB = corner back
S = safety
SS = strong safety
FS = free safety

P = punter
PK = place kicker
KR = kick returner

The Lions had the 18th overall pick in the 2001 NFL draft. They drafted Jeff Backus, offensive tackle. He is a solid player, but no Pro Bowler. A better pick would have been Drew Brees (QB), Reggie Wayne (WR), Casey Hampton (DT), Kyle Vanden Bosch (DE) or Matt Light (OT).

In round 2, the Lions selected Dominic Raiola (C). Again a good pick, but not an excellent selection. The Lions could have chosen Chris Chambers (WR).

The Lions also selected Shaun Rodgers (DT) late in round 2 of the draft. Rodgers was a Pro Bowler twice but his conditioning was a question mark as a member of the Lions. An optional pick here could have been Steve Smith (WR), but Smith has had his off-the-field problems so the Lions getting an impact defensive player here in Shaun Rodgers made sense.

In round 5 and 6, the Lions chose Scotty Anderson (WR), Mike McMahon (QB) and Jason Glenn (LB) instead of drafting T.J. Houshmandzadeh (WR) who went in the 7th round.

The biggest name involved here is Drew Brees - a quarterback that could have been the franchise signal caller the Lions have been seeking for years.


Summary Of Players The Detroit Lions Should Have Acquired In 2001

Drew Brees
Chris Chambers
T.J. Houshmandzadeh

In the 2002 NFL Draft, the Lions had the 3rd overall pick and they selected Joey Harrington. He received about as much of the blame as Matt Millen for the failures of the Detroit Lions. Some thought Harrington would play better on a different team, but Joey proved he couldn't play with the Miami Dolphins or the Atlanta Falcons.

There were no Pro Bowl quarterbacks in this draft class (both Harrington and David Carr were busts). David Garard was the best QB in the 2002 Draft. Instead of Harrington, the Lions could have picked Dwight Freeney (DE), Albert Haynesworth (DT), Ed Reed (S) or John Henderson (DT).

In round 2, the Lions selected Kalimba Edwards (DE). A better draft pick would have been Clinton Portis (RB) or Andre Gurode (C). The Lions wasted another pick in the third round on Andre Goodman (CB) when Brian Westbrook (RB) was still on the board.

Two more bad picks in round 5 and 6, John Taylor (DE) and John Owens (TE) respectively, left a 5th round Pro Bowler on the draft board by the name of Aaron Kampman (DE).


Summary Of Players The Detroit Lions Should Have Acquired In 2002

Dwight Freeney
Clinton Portis
Brian Westbrook
Aaron Kampman

The Detroit Lions "achieved" the number 2 overall pick in the 2003 NFL Draft and it was another dud - Charles Rodgers (WR). He broke his collarbone twice and had a few drug violations. The Lions should have drafted the player the Houston Texans selected with the 3rd overall pick - Andre Johnson (WR). He has had some injury issues as well, but when he is on the field you understand why is a Pro Bowl receiver.

Instead of throwing away a draft pick on Rodgers, the Lions could have also picked Troy Polamalu (S), Terrell Suggs (LB), Terence Newman (CB), Kevin Williams (DT), Marcus Trufant (CB) or Nnamdi Asomugha (CB) instead of Andre Johnson.

The Lions selected Boss Bailey (LB) in the 2nd round of the NFL Draft. He was a decent player, but there were other better players still on the board like Osi Umenyiora (DE), Anquan Boldin (WR), Rashean Mathis (CB) or Ken Hamlin (S).

In round 3, the Lions took Cory Redding (DE), another non-Pro Bowler. Jason Witten (TE) or Lance Briggs (LB) were better draft picks to select, but the Lions were just being the Lions and decided to settle on mediocrity.

The Lions went with Artose Pinner (RB) in the 4th round, but could have drafted Asante Samuel (CB) or Terrence McGee (CB). The Lions selected Terrence Holt (S) and James Davis (LB) in round 5, but Dan Koppen (C) was still on the draft board. There was still an even better value in round 6 when the Lions picked David Kircus (WR), but had an opportunity to draft Cato June (LB).

The 2003 NFL Draft was noted for having a few quality players that were undrafted and of course, every NFL team had a chance a drafting these future Pro Bowlers: Tony Romo (QB), Antonio Gates (TE), Kris Dielman (OG) and Brendon Ayanbadejo (LB).


Summary Of Players The Detroit Lions Should Have Acquired In 2003

Andre Johnson
Osi Umenyiora
Jason Witten
Asante Samuel
Dan Koppen
Cato June
Tony Romo
Antonio Gates
Kris Dielman
Brendon Ayanbadejo

The Detroit Lions took another receiver, Roy E. Williams (WR), with the 7th overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft. This was actually the first solid pick for the Lions in recent years (he was a Pro Bowl alternate). His numbers could have been better if the Lions had a better quarterback (remember, the Lions had the opportunity to draft Drew Brees or Tony Romo).

The Lions could have also considered Ben Roethlisberger (QB) or Steven Jackson (RB) for the 7th overall pick. The Lions also drafted Kevin Jones (RB) and Teddy Lehman (LB), two guys who could never stay healthy, with the 30th and 37th overall selections respectively. The Lions could have drafted Bob Sanders (SS), who is hurt a lot, but is a game changer. Nick Hardwick (C) and Darnell Dockett (DT) were other options for the Lions team.

The Detroit Lions selected Keith Smith (CB) in the 3rd round. Instead of that bad pick, the Lions should have drafted Jared Allen (DE), Chris Cooley (TE) or Nathan Vasher (CB).


Summary Of Players The Detroit Lions Should Have Acquired In 2004

Steven Jackson
Bob Sanders
Nick Hardwick
Jared Allen

The Lions got the 10th overall selection in the 2005 NFL Draft and it was another disaster pick - Mike Williams (WR). He tried to enter the NFL a year early, but failed and was away from the game for more than a year and of course the Lions decided to spend a high draft pick on him in 2005 (this is just the Lions drafting to their standards, which you should know by now are really low).

The Lions should have drafted DeMarcus Ware (LB), Shawn Merriman (LB), Jammal Brown (OT) or Logan Mankins (OG). The Lions wasted another pick on Shaun Cody (DT) in the 2nd round. That pick should have been Lofa Tatupu (LB) or Frank Gore (RB). Round 3 brought Stanley Wilson (CB) to the Lions and a selection that should have been Marion Barber (RB).

Round 5 saw the Lions selecting Dan Orlovsky (QB) when Trent Cole (DE) was still on the board. An undrafted player that deserved to be selected in the 2005 NFL Draft was Joshua Cribbs (KR).


Summary Of Players The Detroit Lions Should Have Acquired In 2005

DeMarcus Ware
Lofa Tatupu
Marion Barber
Trent Cole
Joshua Cribbs

The Detroit Lions selected Ernie Sims (LB) with the 9th overall pick. This was one of the few good picks the Lions organization made. Not yet a Pro Bowler, he could be one day if the Lions defense ever gets better. The Lions could have selected Demeco Ryans (LB) who was actually Defensive Rookie of the Year, Antonio Cromartie (CB) or Joseph Addai (RB).

Daniel Bullocks (CB) was drafted in the 2nd round and has not been much of a factor for Detroit. The Lions should have drafted Marcus McNeill (OT) or Devin Hester (KR).

Brian Calhoun was the Lions' 3rd round choice and it should have been Marques Colston (WR) who was actually drafted in the 7th round.


Summary Of Players The Detroit Lions Should Have Acquired In 2006

Demeco Ryans
Marcus McNeill
Marques Colston

It is difficult to judge players when they have played less than two years and of course there won't be many Pro Bowlers selected during rookie seasons.

The Lions actually had another good draft pick for 2007 (2nd overall) by selecting Calvin Johnson (WR). Calvin is now the #1 receiver for the Lions since Roy E. Williams was traded to the Dallas Cowboys on October 14, 2008. Calvin could be an absolute stud receiver if he is paired with a franchise quarterback.

Adrian Peterson (RB) was still on the draft board, but he would not have been as successful in Detroit as he was with the Minnesota Vikings because the Vikings offensive line is much better than the Lions'. Joe Thomas (OT) would have been an upgrade for Detroit's offensive line. Patrick Willis (LB) could have also been used on the the Detroit Lions team.

Gerald Alexander (S) was picked in the 2nd round, but a better draft selection for the Lions would have been Michael Bush (RB).

It is too early to tell if certain players will work out. We have to give these young guys time to develop.

1. Calvin Johnson
2. Kevin Smith
3. Jason Hanson
4. Rudi Johnson
5. Daunte Culpepper

As mentioned before, no NFL team gets full value out of every draft pick. But if a team were to change just a few players, their winning percentage would likely increase.

Below is the team the Detroit Lions could have drafted since 2001. This team is based on needs and what players were available at the time the Lions were drafting. Keep in mind that if the Lions actually drafted these players, they should have won more games meaning they wouldn't have had high draft picks every year, but let us dream for a moment.

Drew Brees (QB) - you avoid the whole Joey Harrington mess
Ben Roethlisberger (QB)
Clinton Portis (RB)
Marion Barber (RB)
T.J. Houshmandzadeh (WR)
Anquan Boldin (WR)
Marques Colston (WR)
Antonio Gates (TE) - we know Brees likes Gates

Dominic Raiola (C)
Kris Dielman (OG)
Jammal Brown (OT)
Marcus McNeill (OT)
Joe Thomas (OT)

Shaun Rodgers (DT)
Darnell Dockett (DT)
Dwight Freeney (DE)
Aaron Kampman (DE)
Trent Cole (DE)

Lance Briggs (LB)
Lofa Tatupu (LB)
Cato June (LB)

Asante Samuel (CB)
Nathan Vasher (CB)
Antonio Cromartie (CB)
Troy Polamalu (S)

Joshua Cribbs (KR)

The Detroit Lions couldn't draft just 5 or 6 of these guys?