With Seattle's win last night against the Rams, the Lions are slotted to pick 13th in the draft, which would be the lowest they have picked in the last three years. Since there are other teams with the same record as the Lions, the Lions are not guaranteed to pick 13th in every round of the draft. The exact order of the draft will be determined in March. Below is a look at the draft slots for the first round: The big question of course is whether or not one of the two coveted corners in Prince Akunamara or Patrick Peterson will be available at the 13th pick.If you look at the teams picking above the Lions, you will notice that most of them already have a very solid pair of corners in place, but twelve teams in a lot of teams to go through, so lets look some draft scenarios and needs of the teams above the Lions.
Carolina obviously has to go with a quarterback whether it be Andrew Luck or someone else. Denver could draft Peterson, but is Peterson really worth the second pick? Plus, there is a big chance that Denver clears house before the draft and brings in a new general manager, which very well may lead to them drafting a quarterback even with Tebow there. After Carolina and Denver are three teams that already have solid young corners, and have big needs elsewhere, so I don't see them going after a corner either, unless they think that either Peterson or Akunamara are too good to pass up (which they very well may be). The next seven teams are the interesting teams, and where I think at least one of them will go. San Francisco desperately needs a quarterback and might reach for one, but they could also use a stud corner to replace the aging Nate Clements. Tennessee is an interesting spot to me. They could look to pair either of the two heralded corners with Courtland Finnegan, and can certainly afford to as they don't have too many holes. I think this is one spot where one of the two will end up. The next two teams in Dallas and Washington already have stud corners, and desperately need offensive lineman, so I expect them to take lineman. After that, the biggest team in their way is the Houston Texans, who definitely will take a corner if one if available. In short, there is very little chance that both Peterson and Akunamara make it to 13. If the Lions want any chance at one of them, they will have to move up. At least, the Lions would have to leap frog the Texans, but I think Tennessee would be the best trading partner for the Lions at 8th pick. According to the trade value chart, the 8th pick in the draft in worth 1400 picks, and the 13th is worth 1150, so there is a 250 point difference. The Lions third round pick could be worth anywhere between 205 points to 225 points, so the Lions could very well trade away their first and third and move up to 8th. (All of this is assuming that the Titans are willing to trade, and follow the trade value chart).
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