The Detroit Lions should not forget about their offensive line
Defense must be the hot button topic that has to be brought up in the management and scout meetings. The Detroit Lions have a great defensive front-line lead by Ndamukong Suh, Kyle Vanden Bosch, and hopefully Cliff Avril if they can re-sign him. This is great and wonderful, but you need more than a great defensive line to compete and win a Super Bowl.
Can the Lions re-sign Cliff Avril? It sounds like it may or may not happen. Avril wants a long term deal; not a Lions franchise tag for only one more season. It is in the best interests of the Lions to sign Avril and keep their great defensive front-line together for as long as possible.
This is why it would be a mistake for the Lions to use any of their first couple of draft picks on defensive linesmen. The Lions have to focus on their pass defense and stopping the run. Another big issue that seems to be overshadowed, because of the way the Lions were eliminated from the playoff, is the need to improve their offensive line.
The Lions do have to improve their running game. With a healthy Jahvid Best returning, the Lions offensive line needs to improve at opening holes for him to run through. Improving the offensive line will improve an already great passing offense and give Matthew Stafford extra time in the pocket to find an open receiver. This season Stafford had terrific stats but the offense itself would be much better if the offensive line gave the Lions offense more time to work with.
The Lions should use their third or fourth round pick to improve their offensive line. They should pick Nate Potter from Boise State if given the opportunity. Potter was consistent all season at keeping the defensive line men at bay and giving his quarterback the time he needed to lead the offense down the field for many scores. Potter will have to work hard and improve his strength and power to have the chance to be a quality run blocker for the Lions offense. There is a great upside here with Potter. He has the potential to be a great fit in any offense, to help a protect a quarterback from the defensive rush, and, with time, can push the defensive line around, and let his future running backs amass great yardage through his run blocking abilities.
If Potter is taken, the Lions should shift their focus to Bradon Mosely from Auburn. Mosely was a second all team ALL-SEC selection in 2011. He is a terrific run blocker and has allowed his running back Michael Dyer have a great season. Mosely needs to work on his pass blocking abilities but, with time, can learn from his coaches and new teammates in the NFL. Mosely will have some great talent to work with and could be a steal in this draft.
The Detroit Lions have to use this 2012 draft class to fix their problems on the field that their opponents took advantage of. The Lions will hopefully score big with most of their draft and even the picks that do not become stars, can still be vital parts of the Lions organization.
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