I thought David Baas would be here for this pick, but low and behold he's not. Having gone TE in the first round the Lions would likely focus on DE, S, OG and possibly even QB. After looking over all the players left on the board, I have to be perfectly honest. If I were the Lions GM I'd think long and hard about taking Charlie Frye here. Granted, in this exercise we're not trading to better positions our team's needs, get extra picks or move up for specific players like the do in the real deal. I doubt I would've stayed put in rnd1 and taken Miller, rather moving down slightly and still getting the DE I want, then coming back here and looking at TE Alex Smith, G David Baas or move up in the 2nd a bit to try and grab a Shazor, Rogers, Browner type..
I think if the Lions took Frye it would position their team very well for the future offensively. Stating the obvious. Harrington is not locked in as the team's heir apparent (to who?) at QB. Hardly. They could sign a veteran to push Joey, possibly start this year or for a couple years.. and bring in Frye to be the 3rd QB and groom him for the future. Even if Joey develops you can trade one for a decent pick in a year or two. That would be called a CYA pick for Mooch. Doubt it will happen, but at least for myself.. it's something to think about - long and hard.
Frye has all the physical talent to be a solid NFL QB and he's more mobile than Joey. He's played for a couple years behind a horrible offensive line and still produced high comp. %s and produced good numbers. In Detroit he could eventually take over an offense that could rank among the NFL's very best potentially (especially in this mock getting Miller to boot).
Then, like a cold November Sunday after another Lions loss, I sobered up realizing full well they need to and probably will stay on target with a defensive minded pick at DE, S, DT, CB the focus (in that order). The choices boil down to DE Matt Roth, DE/T Chris Canty and a host of safeties (Nicolson, Bullocks, Atogwe, Fuller).. and Darryl Blackstock is very intriguing as well.
Blackstock is a great pass rusher, but an OLB.. it wouldn't be a total shock if the Lions went this route. They have the players to be flexible like the patriots/raiders schemes. A little 3-4 and 4-3 hybrid.. Blackstock is a perfect fit at OLB/DE as a rusher. Rogers, Wilkinson, Redding can all play 3-4 ends, Rogers or Wilkinson at NT. Blackstock and Bailey on the outside with Lehman and Holmes inside. Alex Lewis and James Davis are solid reserves, too.
Final answer?
DE Matt Roth, Iowa. High motor guy. Former LB, Millen-type who doesn't have elite skills, but a non-stop, high effort player with solid results. He could be a strong against the run and capable as a pass rusher. Not the sexiest pick, and I would pray they move around to get better value rather than settle here for Roth.. or at least have the ballz to take Frye. But Roth is the final answer.