Lions' No. 20 pick indefensible

One of the sports writers in Detroit isn't happy with the 2nd 1st round pick made by the Lions. Enough has been said about the 1st 1st round pick, Matt Stafford who is a multi-year project given his propensity to panic under pressure [think Joey Harrington]. Then there is the 1st 2nd round pick... a small safety to go with the small linebackers. That should help....

The Lions should have saved their $41 million and worked for a 1-15 record. Then they could have selected a real NFL quarterback prospect... Tim Tebow. Oh well, it's their money.

Lions' No. 20 pick indefensible

BY DREW SHARP • FREE PRESS COLUMNIST • April 25, 2009

Are we sure that Matt Millen still doesn’t have a direct line to the Lions’ draft war room?

Taking tight end Brandon Pettigrew with the 20th overall selection becomes an even more controversial choice than taking quarterback Matthew Stafford first overall because it’s another offensive player, reminiscent of the Millen-orchestrated drafts that focused on assembling skilled players while ignoring the offensive and defensive trenches.

This pick didn’t make sense.

The Lions will spin Pettigrew’s selection as answering two concerns – finding Stafford another offensive weapon while also improving the offensive line because Pettigrew is regarded as an exceptional run blocker for a tight end.

But at what point will they address a defense that ranked dead last in the NFL the last two years?

Maybe there’s a slot receiver they’ll like with the first pick overall in the second round – the 33rd overall selection?

General manager Martin Mayhew insists that he’s listening to his scouting department. Opting for a tight end at No. 20 instead of shoring up their biggest deficiency – the defensive line – with Ole Miss tackle Peria Jerry or snatching perhaps the draft’s best pure middle linebacker, USC’s Rey Maualuga, suggests that Mayhew believes there’s better defensive depth in the second and third rounds of this draft than on the offensive side of the ball.

He had better be right.

I’ve got no issues with them taking Stafford because the NFL remains a quarterbacks’ league. If there were any lingering doubts regarding that premise, remember that the New York Jets traded up 12 spots to land USC quarterback Mark Sanchez at No. 5 and Tampa Bay moved up two spots to nab Josh Freeman later in the first round.

But they must focus on defense with the next picks. If not, Mayhew might be moving closer to his predecessor rather than distancing himself from him.

Okay, so Drew Sharp and I don't agree on everything.