All last season big plays were an issue for the Lions.

On defense they couldn’t stop the opponents’ passes and run of more than 20 yards.

On offense, they could rarely bust lose for a big gain.

They got help in both departments Thursday night when they drafted DT Ndamukong Suh and RB Jahvid Best.

Suh will not just help clog up the middle, he’s also a pass rusher. In fact, he’s a good combination of both. Along with new acquisitions DE Kyle Vanden Bosch and DT Corey Williams the defensive line is immeasurably better.

Best is known for his explosiveness. Long runs were his calling card at Cal. He touted his homerun ability in a conference call late Thursday night.

“(He has) the makings of some special things, tough to defend. This was a player we had a lot of good feeling for, and a guy that we had a plan for exactly how we were going to use him on offense,’’ coach Jim Schwartz said.

Thursday night was a great start to the 2010 draft for the Lions. You can never really evaluate a draft until the players have been in the system a few seasons. But this one is looking very good already.