ALLEN PARK — With eight days before the draft the Lions have narrowed their choices for the 13th overall pick to five to seven players according to Lions general manager Martin Mayhew.

While Mayhew obviously wouldn’t give put specifics about the Lions’ targets in the first round, he does think they will be able to draft an impact player.

“I think we’ll get a quality player who will be here a long time. Our philosophy the last couple years is we’re not drafting to get ready for the first game of the season, we’re drafting for the future of the franchise. We also don’t view the draft as the finish line,’’ Mayhew said at a Thursday press conference.

While he expects an impact player, he said it’s possible that the pick will not start right away.

Cornerback Jimmy Smith (Colorado) is seen as a possible pick at 13 even though he has had off-the-field issues. Mayhew said that they done a lot of background work on Smith. For more on the Smith situation, check TheOaklandPress.com later today.

(Follow me on Twitter @PaulaPasche.)