Pancake Blocks Mock Draft: Pick No. 20
Picking for the Lions at No. 1, Sparty passed on a franchise quarterback. Now TC is charged with weighing quarterback versus defense at No. 20:
The Lions need a QB, this is perfectly clear. And unless you have a franchise QB you really shouldn’t pass one up. However is Josh Freeman a franchise QB? He certainly has a big upside but is a very risky pick and this is a franchise that should be avoiding risk wherever possible. This was done with the safer selection of Jason Smith at #1 and will continue with the selection of Peria Jerry DT at #20.
Jerry is extremely athletic and quick with the potential to become a game changing building block on this defense. The Lions have had an atrocious run D the past 5 plus years and traded a solid DT in Cory Redding this off season.
Also, don’t forget that Schwartz (while in Tennessee) had a history in devoting assets to both the offensive & defensive lines and this pick makes even more sense in fitting with his rebuilding program. If a solid MLB prospect (Laurinaitis anyone?) is available at 33, then the team will have improved greatly against the run with only two picks (no small feat in a division where they have to play smashmouth teams like Minny & Chicago).
2009 Pancake Blocks Mock Draft
1. Detroit Lions (Sparty) - Jason Smith
2. St. Louis Rams (Evan) - Eugene Monroe
3. Kansas City Chiefs (Dude Abides) - Michael Crabtree
4. Seattle Seahawks (LunaticFringe) - Aaron Curry
5. Cleveland Browns (Thomas G.) - Aaron Maybin
6. Cincinnati Bengals (Wesseling) - Brian Orakpo
7. Oakland Raiders (Andrew W.) - Jeremy Maclin
8. Jacksonville Jaguars (Matt G.) - B.J. Raji
9. Green Bay Packers (Bob) - Michael Oher
10. San Francisco 49ers (Wes H.) - Everette Brown
11. Buffalo Bills (Mark P.) - Brandon Pettigrew
12. Denver Broncos (Michael R.) - Mark Sanchez
13. Washington Redskins (Ryan J.) - Andre Smith
14. New Orleans Saints (Scott K.) - Malcolm Jenkins
15. Houston Texans (Shyam) - Tyson Jackson
16. San Diego Chargers (Justin) - Rey Maualuga
17. New York Jets (Kirby) - Matthew Stafford
18. Denver Broncos (Steve C.) - Brian Cushing
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Reaper) - Vontae Davis
20. Detroit Lions (TC) - Peria Jerry
21. Philadelphia Eagles (Jack) - On the Clock
Comments
I love the Peria Jerry pick. He was actually in the mix for my pick for the Vikings at 22. Gutsy going against conventional thought of jumping on Josh Freeman here but I like the pick. Here's hoping Culpepper doesn't bust and make you pick in the top 5 next year, as otherwise I don't know how your salary cap will ever recover (if there is a salary cap)... Not that Josh Freeman would be likely to step in and do much better.
Posted by: Jesse | April 20, 2009 11:49 AM
they have to take a quarterback in the first round this year. this makes no sense. there's not one impact qb in the draft after the top 3
Posted by: scott c | April 20, 2009 12:44 PM
and another thing.. since when is a qb "riskier" than any other positon. if i remember correctly the texans selected a def lineman over reggie bush and that was considered the biggest risk ever. a lot of 1st round picks are risky. im not so sure that qb's this year are any greater than anyone else. also im not totally sold on the ultra conservitive approach by the lions on not selecting a qb just because they blew on the harrington pick. if that was the case, than SD wouldnt have phillip rivers, and ATL would have matt ryan.
Posted by: scottt c | April 20, 2009 12:49 PM
and another thing.. since when is a qb "riskier" than any other positon. if i remember correctly the texans selected a def lineman over reggie bush and that was considered the biggest risk ever. a lot of 1st round picks are risky. im not so sure that qb's this year are any greater than anyone else. also im not totally sold on the ultra conservitive approach by the lions on not selecting a qb just because they blew on the harrington pick. if that was the case, than SD wouldnt have phillip rivers, and ATL wouldnt have matt ryan.
Posted by: scottt c | April 20, 2009 12:49 PM
I didn't say QB was a risky pick, i said Freeman was a risky pick. He has great tools but is clearly a boom or bust pick as he needs to undergo significant improvement in his footwork, accuracy, and game management. He is comparable to Jamarcus Russell at this point who has done absolutely nothing in 2 seasons in the league.
The argument that you "have to" take a QB because the remaining options are undesirable is a poor one if the team isn't high on Freeman. The Lions are the worst team in football with the thinnest roster and need to add players who can best aid in the rebuilding process. Add best talent possible now worry about targeting positions in the future when you have built a core.
Posted by: TC | April 20, 2009 01:11 PM
I like the pick.
Building the lines through the next several drafts will also help the Lions keep the score a little closer in games and allow them to draft and groom a QB in the future.
What's the point of drafting a QB high if he is running for his life every single game? I'm not sure that's a recipe for helping a risk/reward QB project improve his footwork and progression reads.
Posted by: arbee | April 20, 2009 01:53 PM
@ TC
thats possible. you make some good points, but to say that they will only try to target safe picks doesnt seem feasible. They need winners and more importantly to gather some credibility in their division. i see them picking two stalwarts in their first two picks: one on def one on off. so if u see Jerry as this type of player than i agree with ur pick. if not, than it holds little credibility. im not so sure Jerry is that type of impact player, although ill give u that it is hard to pick one at this point in the draft anyway. only mathews, cushing or maualuga could be possiblities.
Posted by: scott c | April 20, 2009 04:48 PM