2007 NFL Draft

Quarterback: Jon Kitna put up some big numbers in '06 but he also turns the ball over too much and isn't the long-term solution. Josh McCown and Dan Orlovsky have spent most of their careers on the bench, and it's unsure what they can provide. Unless the Lions are willing to spend the second draft pick on a QB or possibly make a deal for a franchise quarterback, there is not much improvement they can make to their current situation.

Running Back: The Lions used a third-round pick last year to gain what they thought would be a solid back-up in Brian Calhoun, but with the latest news on the injury to Kevin Jones, they may be forced to take another first day running back. The timetable for Jones’ return is somewhere in the neighborhood of 12 months, and it is uncertain of his productivity, if and when he does come back. Whether through free agency or the draft, the Lions now need a running back to split time with Calhoun in 2007

Offensive Line: The second-day selection of tackle Jonathan Scott last year was a great value pick to add depth to the offensive line and the Lions need to continue in that direction. The more capable bodies that can compete for jobs, the better, as you can never have enough quality offensive lineman. Don't be surprised if the Lions go all out and take a tackle early this year

Cornerback: Dre Bly is good, but Fernando Bryant can’t stay healthy, and Jamar Fletcher is still questionable in coverage. There is no real depth either and both Bly and Bryant are pushing 30. This is a need that will have to be addressed if the defense is to be respectable.

Wide Receiver: I can't believe after all these first round picks, there is no true No. 2 receiver.  Mike Williams has yet to live up to being a first-round pick, and if it was not for former defensive safety Mike Furrey coming out of nowhere to play WR, Roy Williams would have been facing triple coverage. Amazingly enough the Lions still need receivers.

Defensive End: James Hall has emerged as a solid player on one side but it looks like Cory Redding could be moving inside full-time. One of Detroit’s main problems is the lack of pressure off the end. There is no real impact player to disrupt an offense or to command a double team, freeing up someone else. And this failure is filtering through the defense, allowing opposing offensive lineman to get into the second tier to block linebackers.

Notes: Detroit has two choices this offseason. The first, going out and drafting/trading for a true franchise quarterback and starting over by cutting players that do not fit in your plans, working hard to develop young talent and bringing in system players. That can make them very good in a few years.

The second is to stay with with the quarterbacks already on the roster and fill in the pieces around them. This would allow them to get respectable faster but long term would create significant problems again.

Detroit Lions Free Agency Notes:

Entering his second season, coach Rod Marinelli desperately wants to add speed, especially on defense. The Lions have encouraged some players, such as CB Dre' Bly, to explore trade possibilities. Detroit doesn't know when RB Kevin Jones (foot) will be back, so adding insurance at RB makes sense. Adding a No. 3 receiver, perhaps Kevin Curtis, who has ties to offensive coordinator Mike Martz, also a priority. An OT and OG would help a lackluster line, too, although the Lions might wait to fill one of those needs with Wisconsin OT Joe Thomas with the No. 2 pick overall in draft

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: WR Corey Bradford; RBs Arlen Harris and Aveion Cason; G Rick DeMulling; CB Jamar Fletcher; Ss Terrence Holt and Jon McGraw; FB Cory Schlesinger; DE Corey Smith.

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: LB Alex Lewis; LS Don Muhlbach; DT Cleveland Pinkney; CB Keith Smith