Yeah, I know. I was 'inspired' by the NFL series name.

Anyway, we've been discussing the Packers draft picks a lot, but we haven't looked at any of the other drafts. I thought it might be fun to go a little more in-depth on one franchise per day, starting with the first pick and ending with the team that had its first pick last.

So, first the Detroit Lions.

Round 1, Pick 1 (1)
Matthew Stafford QB 6'2" 225 Georgia

Round 1, Pick 20 (20) (From Cowboys)
Brandon Pettigrew TE 6'5" 263 Oklahoma State

Round 2, Pick 1 (33)
Louis Delmas S 6'0" 202 Western Michigan

Round 3, Pick 12 (76) (From Saints through Jets)
DeAndre Levy OLB 6'2" 236 Wisconsin

Round 3, Pick 18 (82) (From Cowboys)
Derrick Williams WR 6'0" 194 Penn State

Round 4, Pick 15 (115) (From Redskins through Jets)
Sammie Lee Hill DT 6'4" 329 Stillman

Round 6, Pick 19 (192) (From Cowboys)
Aaron Brown RB 6'1" 196 TCU

Round 7, Pick 19 (228) (From Jets)
Lydon Murtha OT 6'7" 306 Nebraska

Round 7, Pick 26 (235) (From Falcons through Broncos)
Zack Follett OLB 6'2" 236 California

Round 7, Pick 46 (255) (Compensatory selection)
Dan Gronkowski TE 6'6" 255 Maryland

They took Matthew Stafford first overall. A pick I still don't agree with. I would've build the O-line first. They might already have a first round tackle in Cherilus, who they're hoping will improve, but they could still use a first rounder to protect that other side. Jason Smith would've been a perfect pick.

Pettigrew is a solid pick, although, again, I don't know why they go TE over LT in Oher. They do have a very good blocker in Pettigrew, so they can keep 6 in the block far more often and he has some receiving ability. Solid pick.

Delmas is a good player. He'll give them some secondary help which they needed badly. Agan, Beatty was still on the board....

I like their draft. They got 3 guys who where 1st rated at their position. Overall, I would've gone with an O-lineman which they passed on 3 times. A DT wouldn't have hurted them either, after trading their only good one away. I guess they addressed that later on as well, but still.

What do you guys think?

I actually liked their whole offseason and i think they will be a greatly improved team this year. They got 0-line help with Jansen from the redskins and also made the trade for Petersen from Seattle so they have done alot. They have signed other Free agents also so we will see what they can do on the field.

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I agree.

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I'm not sold on Cherilus, but I do expect the Lions to improve vastly this season. If they can even win at least 1 game, their improvement is an immeasurable percentage. That's hard to beat. Should chalk up Lions as the most improved team right now.

I think Stafford will be better than the other QBs they've drafted, such as Harrington, Orlovsky. I don't think he will be all that special however.

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Their coach... he will be no slouch either. I can't say I fear the Lions yet, but I can say that losing them won't be as much of a shock this season as it has in years past. Solid offseason.

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They will be much improved.

The Lions will take third place in the NFCN in 2009.......... behind the Vikings and da Bears.

I don't know if Stafford is that much better than Harrington. They could screw him over the same way as they did with Harrington if he doesn't have a good supporting cast.

I just think that you should build from the lines. There's a reason why no one is impressed with Cherilus, he was part of one of the worst O-lines in history imo. Going with a 33 year old Jansen is a very temporary solution. I don't get why they'd pass on Oher with pick 20 after already getting their potential franchise QB.

Their draft was pretty good, but not great if you ask me. I'm not seeing a turn-around like the Dolphins had last year.

You know, it's proven that most all Vikings fan have Dyslexia.

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