Ask the Experts

Question: What should the Lions do with the third overall pick in the draft?

By the editors of Pro Football Weekly
April 9, 2002

Jeff Agrest, Senior editor

The Lions have been in this position before. After finishing the 1996 season 5-11, the Lions had the fifth pick in the following year's draft. With cornerback being a pressing need, the team selected Texas CB Bryant Westbrook. Now that Westbrook — who didn't exactly pan out — has left for Dallas via free agency, the Lions have a chance to select another Texas cornerback, Quentin Jammer. The Lions have made a concerted effort to shore up their leaky secondary this offseason, signing safeties Brian Walker (Miami) and Corey Harris (Baltimore) in free agency. Terry Fair returns to man one CB spot, leaving the other for Jammer, the top-ranked corner in the draft. According to PFW draft analyst Joel Buchsbaum, Jammer is a big, physical corner who can cover. He does a great job of jamming the receiver at the line of scrimmage and disrupting the timing of the route. It's a style of play the Lions desperately need on a defense that has been lacking in the toughness department.
Agrest's pick: Texas CB Quentin Jammer

Mike Holbrook, Managing editor of special projects

If I were Lions president Matt Millen, I’d look at my 2-14 team and see a need to acquire as many good, young players as I could get my hands on. As a result, I would be awfully tempted to trade my No. 3 pick in the upcoming draft to the Raiders for picks Nos. 21 and 23. The Raiders are apparently hot to trade up to get their hands on one of the stud defensive tackles in this year's draft. Having lost Darrell Russell to suspension and with Grady Jackson pursuing other opportunities, the Raiders have a great need for a run-stopping defensive tackle. If they're willing to give up two first-rounders, I think it would be in the Lions' best interests to take them up on the offer. By trading down, the Lions would still be looking at potential stars like LB Napoleon Harris, WR Ashley Lelie, OG Andre Gurode and RB William Green. Getting two of those players would be a big step in the right direction for a Lions team with many needs.
Holbrook's pick: Trade down with Raiders

Jeff Reynolds, Associate editor

It is hard to dispute an argument for CB Quentin Jammer or trading for multiple picks when you take need into account. However, the Lions are not close — meaning one or two players away — to contending in the NFC Central. Therefore, I would take the best player remaining on the board. In my opinion, that is Oregon QB Joey Harrington. Many, including several pro personnel directors and former Falcons head coach June Jones, hold the belief that Harrington is the best quarterback available — period. Harrington visited the Lions Monday and shared lunch with head coach Marty Mornhinweg. Sure, 20 other players will file in and visit with Mornhinweg and president Matt Millen before all is said and done, but Harrington is a centerpiece around which Detroit can build. The Lions plan to confess June 1 that the Charlie Batch experiment didn’t work out. They could get it right April 20, by adding Harrington.
Reynolds’ pick: Oregon QB Joey Harrington

Nolan Nawrocki, Associate editor

Every year, the draft is dictated by team needs. The Lions’ most glaring need appears to be at cornerback, which bodes well for Texas CB Quentin Jammer. However, Lions president Matt Millen believes a team is built around a strong offensive line and a solid running game, and his offensive line could use some help. Last year, he chose two offensive linemen, OLT Jeff Backus (No. 18) and C Dominic Raiola (No. 50), with his first two selections. If the Lions don’t shore up their secondary with Jammer, expect them to opt for his nimble-footed teammate, Texas OT Mike Williams, who can anchor the right side of the line and greatly enhance the Lions’ running game. Or Millen may opt to move Backus to right tackle and select Miami OLT Bryant McKinnie — who has never given up a sack at any level, even in practice — to protect QB Mike McMahon’s blind side. McKinnie is believed to have more upside, but Williams is regarded as a more complete player.
Nawrocki’s pick: Texas ORT Mike Williams

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