Detroit’s Martin Mayhew: Bringing Detroit From Zero to Hero

Detroit’s Martin Mayhew: Bringing Detroit From Zero to Hero

The Lions off season has been quiet but phenomenally effective. Their first move was hiring Titans defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz as their new head coach. The Lions defense was atrocious and bringing in the coordinator of one of last year’s best defenses was a brilliant move. Then, bringing in Scott Linehan as offensive coordinator was an equally brilliant move. Linehan is eager to prove himself after his failures in St. Louis and will bring considerable experience to the Lions offense…not to mention that he has worked with Lions QB Daunte Culpepper. Former Chiefs head coach Gunther Cunningham will bring equally valuable experience as the Lions defensive coordinator. Overall, Mayhew ensured the Lions will have a strong coaching staff.

Free Agency has been relatively quiet for the Lions. Grady Jackson was their only really big buy. However, in signing him the Lions were able to part ways with Corey Redding and bring on pro bowl OLB Julian Peterson. Peterson will not only provide the Lions with a great linebacker, but a veteran who the defense can rally around in critical situations. Mayhew also traded veteran Jon Kitna to the Cowboys for Anthony Henry. Henry does not have great value as a CB, but the Lions are showing a willingness to experiment with him at safety. If this conversion works out the Lions would have successfully upgraded their secondary. Already, the Lions defense looks a lot stronger than it did last season, although it is tough to get any worse.

Now Mayhew stands at the precipice of having one of the best offseasons a GM can have. He has in his possession the 1^st overall pick, the 20^th overall pick, and the 33^rd overall pick. With these three picks, Mayhew has a lot of leeway to rebuild the Lions. He could draft a QB, like Stafford or Freeman, a lineman like Jason Smith or Eben Britton, or the best defensive player available. The possibilities at Mayhew’s feet are endless. However, I would suggest Mayhew pulls the trigger on one more trade.

Jay Cutler and Josh McDaniels are growing further and further apart and a trade seems likely. If Cutler is put on the block, the Lions should (pun intended) pounce on him. With 1/11^th of the picks in the first 33, Mayhew has the most power in negotiations. Using the draft pick value chart I am suggesting the following trade. The highest a QB was taken in 2006’s NFL Draft (the one Cutler was taken in) was Vince Young third overall. The value for the third overall pick is 2200 points. Seeing as Culter has made it to a pro bowl, but not the playoffs, I would value him at 2300 points. The first overall pick is worth 3000 points which means Denver has to make up for 700 points. Denver could give their 12^th overall pick to the Lions, worth 1200, making the Lions owe 500 points. The Lions then could add their 33^rd overall to the trade which is worth 580. Even though the Lions would be giving 80 more points than Denver would give, those points would make up for any ambiguity over Cutler’s value. Here’s the breakdown of the trade:

Detroit Get:

Cutler (2300), 12^th overall (1200) 3500

Denver Gets:

1^st Overall (3000), 33^rd Overall (580) 3580

This trade works out for Denver who gets three picks in the first two rounds (two of them at the start of those rounds) and the Lions get a franchise QB in Cutler, trade out of the 1^st overall, and still have two first round picks. If Mayhew pulls the trigger on such a trade, not only will the Lions have a solid QB situation, they will be free to pursue any player that they want and not be pressured into taking Stafford. Cutler and Calvin Johnson would make a dynamic duo for the ages. Mayhew has put Detroit’s rebuild on solid ground and if he pursued this trade, he would have shortened that rebuild by a few years.