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One thing you can count on with the Detroit Lions is that they are never, ever boring. Follow the latest news including injuries, roster moves and more here daily from Oakland Press beat writer Paula Pasche. Plus you'll find regular commentary about the team.

2/21/2009

Would you take Crabtree at 20?

According to reports, Michael Crabtree has a stress fracture in his left foot that will require surgery and keep him out six to 10 weeks. Crabtree has long been considered the draft's top receiver prospect coming off an impressive season at Texas Tech. Now, it looks like he'll slide out of the top 10. First, he measured a shorter than expected 6-foot-1 at the NFL combine. Second, he probably won't be able to answer questions about his speed by running the all-important 40-yard dash (the draft is nine weeks from today)

So, if you're the Lions, would you take Crabtree with your second pick of the first round, No. 20 overall, if he's available?

That debate will play out in draft-prep meetings over the next two months. The Lions need a No. 2 receiver to pair with Calvin Johnson and assistant Shawn Jefferson spent time with Crabtree on Thursday. They also have a well-documented history of taking first-round receivers, missing on most of them, and have a ton of holes to fill elsewhere on the roster. Still, Crabtree is one of the top few talents in the draft based on what he did in college and might turn into a superstar.

I wouldn't take Crabtree over, say, USC middle linebacker Rey Maualuga, who would fit a big positional area of need. But depending on the way the draft shakes out, I think the Lions would have to consider Crabtree if he were there at 20. (If they draft him, it essentially goes down as Crabtree-plus-a-third-round-pick for Roy Williams trade.)

If the Lions are lucky, they could turn into big winners from Crabtree's misfortune. Some team won't be worried about his size or speed and will take a gamble on him in the middle of the first round. If he's there at No. 20, maybe someone's anxious enough to grab Crabtree they'd deal a 2010 first-round pick.

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6 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

If he falls that far, you HAVE to take him. Remember how far Randy Moss fell (I think we took Terry Fair). Not saying Crabtree is Moss, but despite our history with WR's, you'd have to take him.

2:39 PM 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Agree..... if he falls to 20 you have to take him.

That being said i don't think he falls out of the top 10. Oakland IMO will snatch him up at 7.

2:47 PM 
Blogger Cary said...

Agreed, there's no way this guy falls that far. Moss fell because he's a criminal.

3:22 PM 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

A good reason not to take Stafford at No. 1. Otherwise, the Lions will continue the trend with 12 of 13 1st Rd picks in Rd 1. Not a lot of help for a defense that needs tons.

3:32 PM 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

No. That's the problem Millen had. Straying from the plan. You can't take a receiver in the first round. Too many holes. Trade it if that happens.

3:36 PM 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

no way. either trade down, j smith, e monroe with the first, james l [gotta have a guy from ohio state who's dad was also in the wwf during it's heyday as one half of the baddest ass tag teams ever], or ray m for the first round.

5:45 PM 

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