Here are are the evaluations of the 2008 Detroit Lions draft picks as written by Tom Kowalski. All in all I think the Lions did a good job of drafting players to fill needs. They didn't select any big name players, but they most likely got two guys in Cherilus and Dizon who will be starters by the time the season begins.First round (17th overall)
Gosder Cherilus
• Position: Offensive tackle
• College: Boston College
• Height/Weight: 6-6, 319
• Scouting report: He started 51 straight games in college, the first 37 at right tackle and the final 14 at left tackle. He's expected to move into the starting right tackle job for the Lions by the start of the regular season. Cherilus is a better run blocker than pass protector, but still has the skill to handle the left side in the pros -- although he's not expected to challenge Jeff Backus for that spot.
Second round (45th overall)
Jordon Dizon
• Position: Linebacker
• College: Colorado
• Height/Weight: 6-0, 229
• Scouting report: During his career, Dizon had a total of 463 tackles, the eighth-best total in NCAA history. Dizon doesn't have great size, but he's expected to move into the starting middle linebacker spot as soon as he gets comfortable with the Tampa Two defense. The Lions will keep Paris Lenon as the starter going into camp, but Lenon will move to the strong side as soon as Dizon is ready to take over.
Third round (64th overall)
Kevin Smith
• Position: Running back
• College: Central Florida
• Height/Weight: 6-1, 217
• Scouting report: The Lions can only hope Smith comes as close to Barry Sanders as he did in college. In the final game of his collegiate career, Smith needed 181 yards to pass Sanders' single-season rushing total of 2,628 yards. Smith fell 62 yards short, but established himself as a durable and productive player. The one record Smith did set was for most carries in a season with 450 -- topping the old record of 405 by USC's Marcus Allen in 1981. The Lions traded their sixth-round draft pick to move up two spots in the third round to get Smith.
Third round (87th overall)
Andre Fluellen
• Position: Defensive tackle
• College: Florida State
• Height/Weight: 6-2, 296
• Scouting report: A left elbow injury limited his playing time last year as he started only five games but Lions defensive coordinator Joe Barry said he has a clean bill of health now. Fluellen will come in and provide depth at the tackle position and will play both the under and nose tackle spots. It's unlikely that Fluellen will win a starting job but he's expected to get a lot of playing time in the rotation.
Third round (92nd overall)
Cliff Avril
• Position: Defensive end
• College: Purdue
• Height/Weight: 6-3, 252
• Scouting report: Some teams had Avril scouted as a strong side linebacker but the Lions will use him as a defensive end, almost exclusively in pass-rushing situations. Avril could see some playing time early because he's accustomed to rushing the quarterback off the left side, the area where the Lions are going to need more pressure (veteran Dwayne White will be playing right defensive end this season).
Fifth round (136th overall)
Kenneth Moore
• Position: Wide receiver
• College: Wake Forest
• Height/Weight: 5-11, 195
• Scouting report: Moore was drafted more for his punt return skills than his ability as a receiver and the former running back could add more versatility to the offense. Moore will compete for the No. 5 receiver position and will have to win it on special teams, not just as a returner, but in covering kicks as well.
Fifth round (146th overall)
Jerome Felton
• Position: Fullback
• College: Furman University
• Height/Weight: 6-0, 246
• Scouting report: The Lions aren't only looking at him as a blocking fullback, but -- with the free agent loss of T.J. Duckett -- as a short yardage and goal-line running specialist. Because of his dual role, Felton might not have to knock Jon Bradley out of a job to win a roster spot.
Seventh round (216th overall)
Landon Cohen
• Position: Defensive tackle
• College: Ohio
• Height/Weight: 6-3, 274
• Scouting report: Cohen doesn't have great size, but he's quick off the ball and the kind of aggressive player the Lions are looking for in the Tampa Two scheme. Because of the four veterans -- and the rookie third-round pick -- who are ahead of him, Cohen will be a longshot to make the roster.
Seventh round (218th overall)
Caleb Campbell
• Position: Safety
• College: Army
• Height/Weight: 6-2, 229
• Scouting report: He played safety in college but because of his size, the Lions will try him at strongside linebacker to begin with. He might also get some work at nickelback. To make the roster, Campbell likely will have to make a huge impression on special teams.
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