Detroit Lions 2014 Draft, recap.

I have updated my 2014 Detroit Lions estimated depth chart to include the 8 draft picks. The link to that spreadsheet is http://www.thenetrat.com/depthchart.html Six of the draft spots pre-draft (see the pre-draft tab at the bottom of the spreadsheet) were filled in this draft, leaving only guard and safety blank (but gaining defensive end and cornerback). I understand the Lions signed an undrafted player named Jerome Couplin III, what little I was able to read on him intrigues me greatly... after Waddle and Fauria last year I didn't really expect to see lightning hit twice, but it's just possible the Lions did just that. I am awaiting a full ACCURATE list of undrafted players signed before I research the guards and the other players supposedly signed.

If you do bring up the depth chart spreadsheet you may edit and save it to do "what-ifs" yourself, print it, or just stare at it but please do not copy it and pretend it is your own, thank you. Anyway, back to the depth chart, the 3rd tab from the right is Post-Draft, you will see I included all 8 picks as making the team, for now that is likely, by the middle of August it may not be so, but this is the way I've handled this chart since it's inception and it works for me. Assuming Ebron can overtake Pettigrew as the starting TE (not that it matters that much, as both will be on the field at the same time quite a bit), and then assuming that Kyle Van Noy overtakes Palmer at SSOLB, that leaves kicker Nate Freese to win the starting kicker job to get Mayhew the 3 starters he wants from this and any draft. It's possible, even probable that C Travis Swanson makes the team as Raiola's backup. Both CB Nevin Lawson and DE Larry Webster have to hold off some competition to make the roster, but I think it's entirely possible at this point for them to do so. DT Caraun Reid has to overtake Jimmy Saddler-McQueen and Andre Fluellen, so he will need to flash in training camp, and I suspect he will. WR TJ Jones has to hold off Ogletree, Wilson, and a slew of other WRs, but it's a new coaching staff and a new offense so everyone has to learn it at the same time (this goes for defense as well, everyone, rookies and vets, have to learn the new systems from the beginning). Assuming the entire draft slate makes the final roster we're looking at 3 starters, 3 2nd stringers - 2 of which will rotate in more and more as the year goes on, and 2 3rd stringers - both of whom will also rotate in and get snaps. Perhaps my next post will include some undrafted guys who may can put up a fight for a spot or two on the final roster, after all, at this point I'm looking at Couplin needing to only overcome Isa Abdul-Quddus or DeJon Gomes to make the roster, if he's as good as the tiny bit of info I have on him that is entirely possible.

I had intended to give more details on the slate of draft picks in this post but I find that most of the information I am finding is pretty much the same as I have already given. I am going to compile notes on each player and see if I can't locate some tidbits that perhaps few have seen to this point on each of them. Sorry for the wait, but I don't want to just repeat everything I and others have already posted. I'm looking for some new(er) material.

For now, some info on Safety Jerome Couplin III.

6'1" 213
4.56 40 with a timed low of 4.47
Tedd in my forum had posted this information:

SENIOR YEAR (2013)
Team captain … Established himself as one of the nation’s top defensive players and was a finalist for the Buchanan Award … Garnered first-team All-America honors from the Associated Press, The Sports Network and the Walter Camp Football Foundation … All-CAA first-team selection … ECAC All-Star and VaSID All-State first-team honoree … Ranked third in the conference with 9.1 tackles per game, a figure that ranked first among defensive backs … Ranked 11th nationally in solo tackles per game (5.8) … Led the team with 113 tackles while also totaling 2.5 tackles for a loss, six PBU’s, two forced fumble and one fumble recovery, which was returned 51 yards for a touchdown

Recorded double-digit tackle totals in six games … Honored as the CAA Defensive Player of the Week following the win at No. 15/21 Delaware in which he returned a fumble 51 yards for a touchdown … Posted 14-tackle efforts in the season opener at West Virginia (10 solo) and at No. 14/17 Maine … Also recorded a tackle for a loss versus WVU and a forced fumble at UM … Registered 13 stops against No. 10/7 Towson … Tallied 12 tackles and two PBU’s in the season finale at Richmond … Registered 10-tackles efforts in the wins against Rhode Island and Penn … Forced a fumble in the win at Lafayette … Totaled eight stops and a TFL in the triumph against Hampton … W&M Quarterback Club Defensive Player of the Year … Preseason All-CAA first-team selection by Phil Steele … Earned a share of the John A. Stewart Winter Warrior Award … Honored as the W&M QB Club Defensive Player of the Year

Couplin majored in kinesiology and health science with a health science concentration.

In thread that Tedd started was a quote which reads "Much like the “Osprey,” Couplin has an 81 inch wingspan, which means that he can practically touch his knees when standing straight up. Coupled with his jumping ability, Couplin’s physical attributes are a defensive coordinator’s dream. To put it into perspective, Couplin can catch a football 13 feet in the air (the top of a basketball backboard)"

What no one in my forum can figure out, is why was this dude not drafted?

More on Couplin, the 8 draft picks, and other undrafted free agents coming soon!