Part 5 of 5 Franchise Building 101: The Mayhew Way Drafting BPA

Draft

We have analyzed Mayhew’s ability to put together a sound coaching staff, initiate trades with players who the Lions believe they can get more out then their previous team did, and Mayhew’s use FA to round out his roster. We have yet to discuss Mayhew’s greatest ability: drafting talent.

Mayhew is a disciple of BPA strategy. His belief in the draft is to acquire talent and fill holes in FA and trades. He has stuck to his guns on this policy even when the team has glaring holes at OL, LB, and DB this past draft. Let’s break down Mayhew’s selections into divisions

Stars

Matthew Stafford QB Georgia

Brandon Pettigrew TE OklahomaState

Ndumakong Suh DT Nebraska

Stafford has the makings of a franchise QB. HE is the face of the franchise and only needs to stay healthy to achieve his potential. Pettigrew is already a top 10 TE and will only get better. He can block and be a weapon in the passing game. Suh might be the best young DL in the NFL.

Future Stars

Louis Delmas FS Western Michigan

Delmas has the potential to be a Pro Bowl safety. He only needs to play in control and stay healthy.

Starters

DeAndre Levy LB Wisconsin

Jahvid Best RB California

Amari Spievy SS Iowa

Levy is a capable starter at all three LB positions. He is the leader of the defense with his sound game calls. Best is a huge weapon in the pass and run game. Spievy might be a future star if he continues his improvement.

Backup Players

Derrick Williams WR Penn State (Soon to be cut)

Sammie Lee Hill DT Stillman

Aaron Brown RB TCU

Jason Fox OT Miami

Willie Young DE NC State

Nick Fairley DT Auburn

Mikel Leshoure RB Illinois

Titus Young WR BoiseState

Doug Hogue OLB Clemson

Derrick Williams will probably be a final cut and practice squad player. Sammie Lee Hill is a key rotation player on the DL and would start for many other teams. Aaron Brown has show this off season he might be a sound backup player. Jason Fox has starting potential but cannot stay on the football field. Young will be the 4^th DE and get a handful of snaps a game. Fairley and Young are behind the 8 ball with injuries, but should eventually contribute in their rookie season. Leshoure was going to be a huge part of the offense before tearing his Achilles tendon and putting his career in jeopardy. Hogue will be a ST demon this season and has the makings of a future star.

Players on other teams

Lydon Murtha OT Nebraska

Dan Gronkowski TE Maryland

Murtha was on the practice squad and signed by the Dolphins. He is a sound backup. Gronkowski was traded to the Broncos for Alphonso Smith.

Practice Squad

Tom Toone WR Weber State

Johnny Culbreath OT South CarolinaState

Weber just isn’t big enough or fast enough to be in the NFL. Culbreath has potential, but is extremely raw.

Cuts

Zack Follett OLB California

Follett’s neck injury might have ended his career.

So Mayhew’s chief ability has been to accumulate his team’s skill through the draft. This is how Franchises are built and maintained. By acquiring talent at all stages of the draft Mayhew has shown elite GM skills. Now will it translate into wins? Tune in next week true believers.

Previous Mayhew Posts

Part 1: https://nflmocks.com/2011/07/22/how-to-save-a-franchise-101-the-mayhew-method/

Part 2: https://nflmocks.com/2011/08/02/mayhew-building-from-scratch-part-2-of-5-coaching-staff/

Part 3: https://nflmocks.com/2011/08/15/franchise-building-101-part-3-of-5-mayhew-and-free-agency/

Part 4: https://nflmocks.com/2011/08/25/building-a-frachise-101-the-mayhew-strategy-for-trades/

Home/NFL Draft