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Detroit Lions Draft Recap - 2006 NFL Draft

Outside linebacker Ernie Sims was a reach at No. 9, and he is also a major concern because of his concussion issues. Combined with the fact that Detroit passed on Matt Leinart to cast its lot with Jon Kitna and Josh McCown, it's a questionable selection, but we believe McCown can be serviceable given the tools to work with. Regardless of that, you don't pass up franchise quarterbacks when you don't have one.

Overall Grade: C

Rd	Sel#	Player	Pos.	Ht.	Wt.	School
1	9	Sims, Ernie	OLB	5-11	232	Florida State
Ernie is a playmaker with tremendous instincts who is always around the action. He has sideline to sideline abilities. Sims was a standout his entire career at Florida State and should translate that to success in the NFL. He may need to be in the right system such as a cover 2 system to make a true impact however at the next level...more
2	40	Bullocks, Daniel	SS	6-0	213	Nebraska
Daniel has the size, natural strength and athleticism to be a good starting safety in the NFL, but he needs to play more aggressively on every snap and must be more consistent wrapping up and tackling out in space.
3	74	Calhoun, Brian	RB	5-9	202	Wisconsin
Calhoun is a junior who disappointed folks when he came out early for the draft, because he could have helped himself by staying at Wisconsin another season to hopefully add a little weight and prove his durability.
5	141	Scott, Jonathan	OT	6-6	314	Texas
Despite his natural size and athleticism, his man ends up involved in and making way too many plays.
6	179	McCann, Alton 'Dee'	CB	5-11	198	West Virginia
McCann showed the athleticism, size, quickness and competitiveness to be a productive cornerback in the NFL in 2005, his first year as a starter.
7	217	Matua, Fred	G	6-2	307	Southern California
Matua is a junior who came out early for the 2006 NFL Draft and definitely would have been better off staying at USC for another season to become the consistent blocker he has the ability to be.
7	247	Cannon, Anthony	OLB	5-11	227	Tulane
Cannon is an undersized linebacker who probably would never have gotten a chance in the NFL until teams starting using more of the "Tampa 2 Defense" which relies upon linebackers that can run and cover more than being strong and physical players at the point of attack.