UPDATED Mock Draft

hey everyone-

so i wrote earlier how i feel the Lion's should go about fixing their team in the upcoming draft.  However, a month has passed and all things considered (declarations, non-declarations, personnel moves, etc) i have decided to renew my previous post with some changes.

so here we go

1st pick (1st round, number 1 overall)

Andre Smith, Offensive Left Tackle, Alabama

no change from before, smith would be devastating on the left side, protecting Culpepper/Orlovsky's blind side, and allowing Jeff Backus to move to a gaurd, providing an instant improvement.  Also, with an improved offensive line, a phenom at wide reciever, as well as a superb running back, i feel confidently that either culpepper or orlovsky have enough talent to at least manage the offense until help arrives in the form of sam bradford/matt sanchez (hopefully) in the 2010 draft

2nd pick (1st round, number 20 overall, via Dallas)

James Laurinitis, Inside Linebacker, Ohio State

Last draft i had brandon spikes going here, but i project that he will go much higher when and if he declares.  This leaves the lion's with a pretty damn good silver medal in the form of Laurainitis, an absolute monster at middle linebacker.  With ernie Sims patrolling the weakside, and last year's second rounder Jordan Dizon wreaking havoc on the strongside, the Lions will have one of the best and youngest linebacking corps in the country.

3rd pick (2nd round, number 33 overall)

Alphonso Smith, Cornerback, Wake Forest

the lion's need help everywhere, particularly on defense, and ESPECIALLY in the secondary.  Last year our starting tandem was Leigh Bodden (aquired from the browns in the Shaun Rogers trade), Brian Kelly (now released), Dwight Smith (now retired/permananetly injured), and Daniel Bullocks.  The only legitimate NFL defensive back is Bullocks, and hes average at best.  Smith could go much higher, possibly md first round, but i see him dropping with the likes of Vontae Davis and Malcolm Jenkins on the board.

4th Pick (3rd round, number 65 overall)

Matt Shaughnessy, defensive end, Wisconsin

Again, the lions need help everywhere, and defensive line is no exception.  Last year Dwayne White led the team in sacks with 6........SIX!!!!!   He was hurt, true, and i am okay with him starting at the rush end, but he needs a compliment.  (see: Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis, Indianapolis).  Shaughnessy would provide a legitimate weakside end, providing White with the compliment he needs, especially in passing sitiuations.

5th pick (3rd round, number 82 overall, via Cleveland)

Terrance Taylor, Defensive Tackle, Michigan

THe lions got this pick from cleveland in the shaun rogers trade, and now they pick his replacement.  Taylor is an absolute beast, a fast-off-the-ball, quick-footed, strong, run-stuffing animal whose only drawback is that he only sometimes give 100 percent.  Teaming with Shaun Cody and Andre Fluellen will gives the Lion's a young and fast defensive line, helping on pass rush while also providing some run assistance.

more to come as we near the draft