| 23 April 2010
It was a fairly boring day 2 of the NFL draft, thanks to the Lions trading their 2nd round pick to the Vikings in the Jahvid Best deal. As the Lions didn't move back into the round (as I thought they might try to do, despite using most of their trade ammo in the Best deal), approximately 3 hours of draft silliness went by before the Lions got to go on the clock.
When their turn did come up, Martin Mayhew went for a position of need, cornerback. The selection?
CB Amari Spievey, Iowa.
Spievey is the bottom...
What's the scoop, other than how to pronounce his name? (Chucky on ESPN says it's "Spi-vay") Spivey was All Big Ten in '09, and left Iowa after his Junior season for the riches of the NFL...though I doubt he expected to end up in Detroit.
Via Sports Iluustrated:
Positives: Developing cornerback with a large degree of upside potential. Jams opponents at the line of scrimmage and physical throughout the route. Fluid pedaling in reverse, displays a burst of speed to the action and can run downfield with opponents. Displays a nice break to the ball out of his plant and effectively positions himself against opponents to defend the throw. Consistently has opposing quarterbacks throwing away from him. Works hard to get off blocks and make plays against the run.
Negatives: Must develop a better sense of timing. Gets turned and does not play with great balance. Inefficient.
My guess? As the Lions acquired a pair of corners with NFL starting experience in Chris Houston and Jonathan Wade before the draft, Spievey will be penciled in as the nickel back (pretty much by default, if you've looked at the Lions depth chart).
But looking back at at the ridiculousness of '09, and how the Lions treated the corner position last season (throwing any and every body they could find on the field, just short of pulling Lem Barney out of retirement), I would not be surprised if Spievey becomes a starter fairly early on.
Be it as the nickel, or as a starter, Spievey's going to be on the field quite a bit.
3rd round picks on most team can be expected to be on-field contributors immediately. With Matt Millen gone, and Mayhew apparently knowing what he's doing, I think we can expect Mayhew's selections to be legit NFL talent.
With Mayhew, a Derrick Williams is the exception, not the rule. Under Millen, the opposite was true.
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