The NFLDraftguys staff is going simulate playing the GM of each of the 31 teams picking in the first round and justify their picks. You can look forward to a new pick every other day leading up to April 28, when the staff will be in Radio City Music Hall to see if they took our advice.
Don't forget to go over to The 1.02 OTC Thread at The Shark Pool, where the authors and the best football community anywhere are discussing this question. The Shark Pool is part of Footballguys, the only place to get your fantasy football advice and analysis. If you haven't already done it, sign up for the footballguys email update, they scour the offseason news so you don't have to!
Sean Baca
With the 2nd pick in the 2007 NFL draft the Detroit Lions SHOULD take Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin Badgers.
Fundamentals, fundamentals, fundamentals. It is not a measurable nor is a stat in the NFL. What it is however, is how you change a culture of losing for an NFL franchise. It is also what separates Joe Thomas from other lineman in the country who may have more punishing styles. Thomas at the combine was impressive, with a 4.92 in the 40, 28 reps at 225, all built into a 6' 7", 311 pound frame, meaning he stacks up even in stats you do measure. Head coach Rod Marinelli has addressed a lot of "problem" athletes in Detroit and is obviously hell bent on addressing the culture of losing as well. Thomas brings work ethic (he didn't need to work out yet opted to do so at the combine) and a sound football game to the table, and that is what is sorely lacking right now for the Lions. Thomas is not be a highlight reel waiting to happen, but he does not get beaten wide or get bull rushed in pass protection, he remains square to the block and has impeccable footwork. Thomas could stand to be a little meaner in the run game but still gets to the second level on sweeps and is always blocking the correct man. If you are going to win in this game, fundamental players will get you there in a hurry, Terrell Owens will get you on ESPN, Art Shell gets you to a Super Bowl (as a player anyway!!!)
Marc Faletti
With the 2nd pick in the 2007 NFL draft the Detroit Lions SHOULD take Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin Badgers.
The in-state star recovered fabulously from a torn ACL at the end of his junior season and proved himself to be the NCAA's best player in the trenches. He has Fred Astaire feet and is as fluid getting to second-level blocks as any college tackle I've seen. He demonstrates both consistency and panache, and 27 of his senior-year blocks were credited with leading to TDs. Is he Orlando Pace? Nah. But he's not Robert Gallery, either. Thomas proved to be a two-way natural who played all across the line(s) for the Badgers during his career. Meanwhile, the only viable tackles the Lions have are Jeff Backus and George Foster, and neither has been the kind of shutdown LT needed in Mad Mike's offense. The team will struggle to run Martz's offense consistently well until they can buy their QB more time by solidfying the o-line, and Thomas will do that instantly.
Cecil Lammey
With the 2nd pick in the 2007 NFL draft the Detroit Lions SHOULD take Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin Badgers.
Joe Thomas is a manbeast and he looked great at the NFL Combine, standing at almost 6'7"! For a man his size he is a tremendous athlete that will make an impact at the next level. His long arms allow him to excel at pass blocking, and at 311 lbs. he is a load for a DE to move. He is very agile and has good footwork in pass coverage.
The Lions have recently acquired George Foster in a trade with Denver, but by no means does that shore up their problems with the OL. Thomas is the type of prospect that a team can build around and the Lions have plenty of places to build. Some people may say that they'll take a QB here, but head coach Rod Marinelli is happy with Jon Kitna for now. Joe Thomas will help keep Kitna, or whoever the QB is, safe in the pocket. He will also help open holes for Tatum Bell or Kevin Jones. Thomas is an elite player that can only make the Lions a better team. Even Matt Millen can't screw this pick up...or can he?
Sigmund Bloom
With the 2nd pick in the 2007 NFL draft the Detroit Lions SHOULD take Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin Badgers.
Thomas is the safest investment in the first round after Calvin Johnson. Like Johnson, he's the type of player a team should take regardless of need. Thomas is not a black hole that defensive players disappear into like an Orlando Pace or a Jon Ogden, but he's still the kind of tackle that allows quarterbacks and offensive coordinators to sleep easy. More than anything, the Lions need to turn this pick into a 10 year pro bowl level starter, and Thomas is the surest bet.
I'm cheating here, but my real answer for them is to trade down. Between Calvin Johnson, Joe Thomas, JaMarcus Russell, Adrian Peterson, and Brady Quinn, there should be at least four players left that some team has as their #1 overall. The #2 pick could have close to the trade value of the #1 when all is said and done. The returning defensive ends (Kalimba Edwards and Jared Devries) are woeful at creating pressure on their own, which is crucial in the cover 2, The Lions should be able to snag Jamaal Anderson or Gaines Adams lower in the top 10, and probably get an 08 first and some more 07 first day picks in the process.
