Draft Picks

1 (28): Laken Tomlinson, OG, Duke

2 (54): Ameer Abdullah, RB, Nebraska

3 (80): Alex Carter, CB, Stanford

4 (113): Gabe Wright, DT, Auburn

5 (168): Michael Burton, FB, Rutgers

6 (200): Quandre Diggs, CB, Texas

7 (240): Corey Robinson, OT, South Carolina 

Best Pick: Ameer Abdullah

One of my favorite picks in the draft came from a rare place, GM Martin Mayhew delivered in the second round with the selection of Abdullah. Detroit already has the physical, bulldozer in Joique Bell, but needed a pass-catching threat who could break off big plays. 

Abdullah fits that bill perfectly, showing good hands out of the backfield, explosiveness and long speed to create that "big run". His small frame and less than ideal strength keeps him from being a great between the tackles runner and he is a major liability in pass protection, but the Lions have the perfect role carved out for Abdullah. After Detroit spent much of the draft upgrading the offensive line, Abdullah and Bell are bound for greatness this season.

Worst Pick: Alex Carter

This isn't a knock on Carter. From a scheme standpoint, Carter is an athletic, physical corner who can get physical with his man and jam him on the line. There are a lot of traits to like; toughness, NFL bloodlines, size and raw talent to mold and work with. He is a great developmental piece for defensive coordinator Teryl Austin to mold and turn into a very good starting corner, while serving as good depth as a rookie.

The main issue with this pick is simply that Detroit waited too long to address the defensive line. Gabe Wright is a fine addition, but it's tough to rely on a fourth-round pick to play a major role. He is a rotational player and after Detroit traded down in the first round, they had the opportunity to draft Malcom Brown. Wright should be a fine rotational player, but you would have liked to see Detroit address the defensive line earlier.

Impact Rookie: Laken Tomlinson

If you were looking for the sexy pick in round one, the selection of Tomlinson would have been very disappointing. Tomlinson wasn't a major name, an Academic All-American at Duke to go along with first-team All-ACC the past two seasons while playing for the Blue Devils. Tomlinson is an outstanding guard though who will shine first as a run blocker on the inside, thanks to his strength and instincts.

Tomlinson will step on to the field and start right away for the Lions on the left side. He will enter the lineup in Week 1 and hold down that starting job for years to come, hopefully for the next decade. What makes Detroit's situation even more terrifying for opposing defenses is the guard opposite of him, Larry Warford. While the center spot is still unsettled, whoever takes that spot will have two maulers alongside him to create running lanes.

Final Grade: A-