/cdn.vox-cdn.com/assets/556104/btbmockdraft.jpg)
The Detroit Lions are now on the clock in the BTB Community Mock Draft. The Lions made a huge leap last year to respectability. They seemed competent enough on both sides of the ball to no longer be the laughing stocks of the league and Motor City is grateful. Let's head to the podium to see whom our assigned GM selects to help bolster their rise back to prominence.
Draft Pick # 13
Team Name: Detroit Lions
GM:Dire Wolf
Selection: (OT) Anthony Castonzo, Boston College
Why The Pick:
Like most teams, the Lions need help at a number of positions. Keeping Stafford healthy has to be at the top of the list of things to do. I looked at JJ Watt, Aldon Smith' Julio Jones and others, before settling on Castonzo. I have him rated as the best OT in the draft and ready to step in and make an impact, maybe from day one. He may need to with the Lions situation at OT. Their left tackle is getting long in the tooth and the right tackle's coming off knee surgery and was somewhat disappointing last year. They did draft OT Jason Fox last year in the 4th round as a project, but using a 1st round pick on a player this good, with plenty of upside is a good move IMO.
Castonzo was true freshman 4 year starter at BC. His 1st year he played RT, his 2nd year he moved to the left side and started there the rest of his college career. He's a 22 year old true left tackle that can play right tackle if needed, he even took snaps at guard in senior bowl workouts. Very good pass blocker with good feet and good technique.
Average run blocker, because of upper body, but that can be fixed in the weight room and with age. With his quickness and speed he's good at pulling and trapping. He's not quite a blue chipper coming out of college, but he's a hard worker, very coachable and with experience he can be an anchor on a team's O-line for years to come. This kid's no dummy either, he carried a 3.6 GPA with a biochemistry major at a school known for academics. With the defenses getting more complicated every year in the NFL, brains are more important than ever. In my opinion he is a very low risk pick.Good player that fits a need, good character, brains, size and willing to work hard. Everything considered, I think he's the BPA for the Lions at #13, a ton of upside and almost no downside.
Follow the jump for the poll and analysis of the pick.
(AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
HIGH PRIORITY TEAM NEEDS (lower number indicates higher priority) according to Drafttek.com:
-- Threat Level Red (priority 1-2):4-3 Outside LB, Cornerback
-- Threat Level Orange (priority 3-4): 4-3 Defensive End, 4-3 Middle LB, Free Safety, Posession Receiver, Slot Recveiver, Right Tackle, Guard
-- Threat Level Yellow (priority 5-6): Center, Left Tackle,
-- Threat Level Green (priority 9): 4-3 Defensive Tackle, Strong Safety, Quarterback, Feature Running Back, COP Running Back, Tight End
-- Drafttek.com ranked #11Overall, #1 at the position
-- Wes Bunting, National Football Post: #32 Overall, #5 at the position
Impression: The size, length and natural athleticism is there, but he needs more time to mature physically. I don't think he's a guy who you can pencil in as a starter on the left side from day one, but with some time he has the skill set to eventually develop into a serviceable starting left tackle in the NFL. However, as of now, isn't an elite offensive tackle prospect by any stretch in my book.
-- CBSSports.com ranked #16 overall, #2 at the position
-- Scout.com ranked #29 overall, #2 at the position
-- Mike Mayock ranked #11 overall, #1 at the position
I really believe he or (Tyron) Smith are the first tackle off the board. He's a tough guy in the run game, he has great feet as a former tight end. I love his upside, and he had a great week of Senior Bowl practice, although he didn't play quite as well in the game.
Pass blocking: Good initial quickness out of his stance. Gains depth efficiently in his kick-slide. Plays with good balance, moving on the balls of his feet with his knees bent and shoulders square. Shows good lateral agility to slide and mirror the pass rusher. Appears to be quick enough for the cut-block on quick throws. Prototypical long arms to grasp the pass rusher and has improved his strength to control. Can struggle with leverage and be walked back into the pocket by short, stout pass rushers able to get into his chest. Lacks the sand in his pants to anchor sufficiently.
Run blocking: Gets a good initial push, but loses the leverage battle quickly and struggles to sustain. Gives good effort and has made significant improvement in this area over the past three seasons. Has a tendency to get his hands too far outside the numbers, but with greater strength would have more control. Relies on positioning and technique and lacks the power to drive defenders off the ball, despite improvement in this area. Flashes some leg drive when he gets under the pads of an opponent.
Pulling/trapping: Has above-average straight-line speed and is surprisingly effective changing direction and hitting a moving target blocking in space. Technically refined trap blocker, though his lack of bulk and ideal strength make him less effective. Good athleticism overall. Should continue to improve in this area.
Initial Quickness: Good initial quickness off the snap. Eases out of his stance into pass protection and is typically able to secure the edge. Can be beaten by pure speed rushers able to turn him and get under his reach. Gains an initial advantage in the running game due to his quickness and is often able to turn and seal his defender from the action.
Downfield: Lacks ideal balance and strength, but not effort, in blocking downfield. Works to sustain. Has made improvements in this area over his career.
Anthony Castonzo vs Robert Quinn.
Pro Football Weekly Draft Profile.
Draft Pick | Team | 2010 Record | Assigned GM | Team Needs | Selection |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Carolina | (2-14) | Alexcomestokill | 4-3 DT, 4-3 DE, WR1, WR2, WR3, CB | AJ Green |
2 | Denver | (4-12) | Sean N | 4-3 DT, 4-3 DE, FS, SS, 4-3 OLB, 4-3 ILB, TE, ROT | Nick Fairley |
3 | Buffalo | (4-12) | BTB | Everything except RB and WR, Kitchen Sink | Marcel Dareus |
4 | Cincinatti | (4-12) | staubachfan | QB, 4-3 DT, WR, 4-3 DE, FS, 4-3 MLB, OG, OC | Patrick Peterson |
5 | Arizona | (5-11) | howboutdemcowboyz | QB, 3-4 OLB, CB, OG, LOT | Cam Newton |
6 | Cleveland | (5-11) | BlueEyedDevil | 4-3 DE, 4-3 OLB, 4-3 MLB, WR, FS, CB | Robert Quinn |
7 | San Francisco | (6-10) | regaberto | 3-4 DT, 3-4 OLB, CB, OC, QB | Von Miller |
8 | Tennesee | (6-10) | accidentalinnuendo | QB, CB, 4-3 DE, 4-3 OLB, 4-3 MLB | Da'Quan Bowers |
9 | Dallas | (6-10) | ChiaCrack | ROT, FS, OG, SS, CB, SILB, WILB, 3-4 DE, 3-4 OLB | Tyron Smith |
10 | Washington | (6-10) | Creasy729 | QB,RB, WR, OG, OC, 3-4DT, 3-4 OLB, FS, CB | Blaine Gabbert |
11 | Houston | (6-10) | I am Ironman! | 3-4 DE, 3-4 DT, 3-4 OLB, FS, CB | Prince Amukamara |
12 | Minnesota | (6-10) | KJDH2154 | QB, WR, 4-3 DT, 4-3 DE, FS, LOT, OG, | Jake Locker |
13 | Detroit | (6-10) | DIRE WOLF | CB, 4-3 OLB, MLB, ROT, OG, WR | Anthony Castonzo |
Up next on the clock, squishmytomato and the St. Louis Rams.