Round 1 Pick 28 G Laken Tomlinson Post Draft Articles

Pre Draft Scouting Reports and Articles:  http://captainbluelionslinks.blogspot.com/2015/04/g-laken-tomlinson-round-1-pick-28.html

Post Draft Articles:

Sudden impact: Projecting top 100 NFL rookies of 2015 (70. G Laken Tomlinson, Detroit Lions: The super smart guard might not start right away, but he'll eventually contribute to the team's interior line and really move some bodies in the run game.) (4-13-15):   http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000492541/article/sudden-impact-projecting-top-100-nfl-rookies-of-2015

NOTEBOOK: Rookies working towards roster spots (During his last two seasons quarterbacking at Duke, Boone never had to worry about pressure coming up the middle from the left guard spot. That’s because Laken Tomlinson, the Lions’ No. 1 draft pick, didn’t allow a sack in either of the last two seasons he played at Duke. “They are getting a great player,” Boone said of Tomlinson Sunday. “He prepares very well. He plays very hard. He’s very tough and he’s a guy you love being around.” Boone said Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford is going to love having Tomlinson paired with right guard Larry Warford to form a wall for him up the middle. “It’s huge,” Boone said of the benefits of having great guard play. “Being able to set the pocket upfront in the first three guys (including center) is huge. The tackles have a little more room to run guys off edges. “Having a solid three in the center and both guards and not really getting much push back is huge, especially for your under-center game and your shotgun.”) (5-10-15):  http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/NOTEBOOK-Rookies-working-towards-roster-spots/6784660b-2eaa-4f8f-bddd-6ff3ada25582

Lions aware of importance of undrafted rookies (First-round pick Laken Tomlinson is a sure bet to be on the Week 1 roster, too, almost assuredly as the Lions' starting left guard. So how'd he do this week? "He's swimming a little bit, he's trying to figure things out, but he's giving 100 percent and he's definitely going to learn it so I'm not worried about it," said quarterback Anthony Boone, Tomlinson's former teammate at Duke. "It doesn't change, it's just new terminology, so he's just picking up terminology and he's going to be fine.") (5-10-15):   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/05/10/detroit-lions-undrafted-rookies/27092463/

Doctor Detroit? Lions rookies Zenner, Tomlinson plan to be after football (5-10-15):   http://www.foxsports.com/detroit/story/doctor-detroit-lions-rookies-zenner-tomlinson-plan-to-be-after-football-051015

Five thoughts about the Detroit Lions after Day 2 of rookie minicamp (1. Focusing on Laken Tomlinson: The Lions invested their first-round pick in the Duke offensive lineman and for the second straight day, he lined up at left guard during individual drills -- the position he is expected to win in training camp. During the time I watched the offensive line, line coach Jeremiah Washburn spent a good chunk of time working on individually coaching Tomlinson as well as left tackle Corey Robinson, the team's seventh-round pick who was lined up next to him.) (5-9-15):   http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/17072/five-thoughts-about-the-detroit-lions-after-day-2-of-rookie-minicamp

O’HARA: David Cutcliffe reinforces Lions’ opinion of Tomlinson (5-9-15):   http://www.detroitlions.com/news/ohara/article-1/O%E2%80%99HARA-David-Cutcliffe-reinforces-Lions%E2%80%99-opinion-of-Tomlinson/0f50de34-bcf3-4844-8039-3a8e13c2c071

Laken Tomlinson starts transition to left guard with Detroit Lions (5-9-15):   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/05/laken_tomlinson_beings_transit.html

Caldwell's comments from Day 1 of rookie minicamp (On his initial impressions of G Laken Tomlinson so far: "You know, it’s difficult right now, to be honest with you. I could stand up here and make something up, you know what I mean? But that wouldn’t be forthright. I’m not certain yet. I can see he gets along with people. As a matter of fact he sits in that chair right there and the guys around him have a good time being around him. I mean, he associates well, he’s a smart guy. He appears to be a real good teammate. That’s what we anticipate, that’s what he had been at Duke. He was just an outstanding individual, a great leader. Dave Cutcliffe sent me a text after we had drafted him. As a matter of fact I think his text arrived at about 1 or 1:30 in the morning. I forget if this is the exact words of his text, but he said, ‘He’s the kind of person that you build a program around.’ He said, ‘He creates job security for coaches,’ or something of that nature. But that kind of shows you what he thought of him. Now, he would have a better feel for him than I would. After I’ve been with him only a few hours, you know, we interviewed him a couple times and that kind of thing, but for me to give you an assessment of somebody we’ve got to go down the road a ways, you know what I mean? But I do think that he has all of the makings of being exactly what we anticipated and expect him to be.") (5-8-15):   http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2015/5/8/8561905/jim-caldwell-lions-rookie-minicamp-day-1 

Five thoughts from first day of Lions rookie minicamp (2. Laken Tomlinson is not as huge a dude: The 323-pounder did not look like he weighed close to that when he was on the field Friday afternoon. That's OK, though, because he still looked the part of a good offensive lineman. Part of that might be because of lining up next to 6-foot-7 Corey Robinson, but considering how many of his college coaches have described Tomlinson, he should have never expected to be the biggest guy out there. His two offensive line coaches -- Matt Luke and John Latina -- raved about Tomlinson's movement and flexibility. Seeing him briefly on the field, it was easy to see why.) (5-8-15):   http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/17061/five-thoughts-from-the-first-day-of-detroit-lions-rookie-minicamp

Video - Tomlinson On Day One Of Rookie Minicamp (5-8-15):   http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Tomlinson-on-day-one-of-rookie-minicamp/05fa5a11-ef24-494f-8b17-85a21b527215

Tomlinson makes early impression at Lions minicamp (5-8-15):   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/05/08/laken-tomlinson-detroit-lions-rookie-minicamp/27020445/

Lions' top pick Laken Tomlinson practices at left guard (5-8-15):   http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/05/08/tomlinson-showcased-at-left-guard-in-rookie-camp/26999301/

5 players to watch as Detroit Lions open rookie minicamp today (OG Laken Tomlinson: The big fella's debut will headline this weekend's affairs. Tomlinson, a first-round pick, is expected to be a Day 1 starter in Detroit. The talent is there to pull it off, but it'll be interesting to monitor just how polished he is coming out of Duke.) (5-8-15):   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/05/5_players_to_watch_as_detroit.html

Detroit Lions' Laken Tomlinson honors former teammate with uniform choice (5-8-15):   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/05/detroit_lions_laken_tomlinson.html

How new Detroit Lions guard Laken Tomlinson impacted Duke football (5-7-15):   http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/17036/how-new-detroit-lions-guard-laken-tomlinson-impacted-duke-football

2015 Draft in Review: Detroit Lions (Grade: A, Tomlinson was our top true guard heading into the draft. He excels as a run blocker and consistently wins in one-on-one situations at the line of scrimmage. He had the second-highest run block grade against Power 5 opponents, and as a pass blocker, he was the top guard in the draft class with a 99.4 Pass Blocking Efficiency, allowing no sacks, no hits, and just four hurries. To top it off, the Lions picked up two fifth-round picks and Manny Ramirez in a trade to move back five spots, and still were able to draft the player they were targeting. Depth Chart Fit: Tomlinson should slide in as the starter at left guard Day 1, while Ramirez and Travis Swanson compete for the starting center job.) (5-6-15):   https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2015/05/01/2015-draft-in-review-detroit-lions/

How Lions guard Laken Tomlinson grew into a first-round pick (5-6-15):   http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/17026/how-detroit-lions-guard-laken-tomlinson-grew-into-a-first-round-pick-at-duke

Laken Tomlinson picks jersey number (5-6-15):   http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/Laken-Tomlinson-picks-jersey-number/d3ff6697-51a8-45d7-a92e-58c216247f26

Despite An Offer From Tomlinson, Lucas Sticking With No. 77; Tomlinson Will Wear No. 72 (5-6-15):   http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2015/05/06/despite-an-offer-from-tomlinson-lucas-sticking-with-no-77-tomlinson-will-wear-no-72/

Greg Cosell analyzes Lions’ draft picks (Round 1 (28) Laken Tomlinson, G, Duke: Cosell: “He grew on me the more I watched him because he’s not a purely athletic guy. I’ve learned this over the years that particularly with interior offensive lineman, the athleticism is not as important as the toughness, the competitiveness, the fight, and this guy is a tempo setter. This guy is a nasty guy on the offensive line.  “He can move a little bit. You can run the gap scheme run game and power and counter. He’s probably not a pure zone guard, although you can mix that in here and there. But he played a strongman’s game. He didn’t mind pissing defensive lineman off.”  Final line: “(He) consistently played with an impressive level of power and attitude, a tempo setter on an o-line. NFL coaches love these kinds of players. Overall a powerful man, who played a strongman’s game, with high level of competitiveness and tenacity that almost always translates well to the NFL for interior offensive lineman.”) (5-5-15):   http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/Greg-Cosell-analyzes-Lions%E2%80%99-draft-picks/caf7ddb4-4ee4-407c-be54-f630fbb94806

NFC NORTH: 2015 NFL Draft breakdown (Best pick: Laken Tomlinson – It wasn’t a sexy pick, but Tomlinson and Larry Warford now have a chance to solidify the interior of Detroit’s offensive line for possibly the next decade.) (5-5-15):   http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/NFC-NORTH-2015-NFL-Draft-breakdown/a990c77c-ceac-47ae-87e4-e22fc6577a64

How 2015 first-round draft picks rated as high school recruits (28. G Laken Tomlinson, Duke (Detroit Lions): High school: Chicago Lane Tech, Recruiting ranking: 3-star recruit in 2010 class) (5-5-15):   http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000490995/article/how-2015-firstround-draft-picks-rated-as-high-school-recruits

2015 NFL Draft Review: NFC North (Laken Tomlinson – OG – Duke: There were some who felt that Tomlinson was more of a second round talent. Still, he has the traits to come in and start at guard, and that is the important thing. With Larry Warford, the Lions can have one of the league’s best guard tandems in another year. Tomlinson is a powerful run blocker and shows excellent hand use in the pass game.) (5-4-15):   http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/2015-nfl-draft-review-nfc-north/

First impressions of 2015 NFL draft ranked 1-32 with Jets at top (20. Detroit Lions: Round 1 seemed a little early for G Laken Tomlinson, but he might not have been around when the Lions picked in the second round. Reacquiring veteran G Manny Ramirez should temper any concerns about the blocking in front of QB Matthew Stafford this year.) (5-4-15):   http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/draft/2015/05/02/first-impressions-rankings-jets-leonard-williams-jaguars-vikings-trae-waynes/26793997/

Sunday 5-3-15:

Strength from grandfather helps Tomlinson achieve dreams:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/05/02/laken-tomlinson-detroit-lions/26814041/

Tomlinson credits video games for keeping hands in shape:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/05/02/tomlinson-credits-video-games-keeping-hands-shape/26804063/

NFL Draft: First round in review (I like Duke guard Laken Tomlinson but not as a first rounder. He is a big, powerful bulldozer in the run game and keeps improving in pass pro. The question is, could they have gotten him a little later?):   http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/first-round-in-review/

NFL Draft Picks 17-32 (Laken Tomlinson, a Chicago product was taken by Detroit to combat the strong defensive lines in the NFC North. Tomlinson’s specicaly, run blocking, will take some pressure off the Calvin Johnson, Matt Stafford duo,):   http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/nfl-draft-picks-17-32/

Saturday 5-2-15:



Articles:


The story of why Detroit Lions first-round pick Laken Tomlinson wants to be a doctor:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/05/detroit_lions_first-round_pick_1.html



Detroit Lions: Five things you should know about Laken Tomlinson:   http://oplions.blogspot.com/2015/05/detroit-lions-five-things-you-should.html

ESPN Draft Tracker (28. Laken Tomlinson: What he brings: He started all 52 games of his career at right guard. So if you're drafting Tomlinson, you're drafting a right guard. He's not a great athlete but is the best of this year's guard class, and he's a very powerful run-blocker with road-grader capabilities. How he fits: The Lions have a pressing need at guard, and Tomlinson, who is the best pure guard on our board, is a plug-and-play starter. Still, it's hard to be overly complimentary about this pick. Taking Tomlinson, who projected as a late-second-round pick based on our evaluation, this early is a reach. It's also somewhat surprising they didn't address the defensive tackle position, considering that it's also a need and Texas defensive tackle Malcolm Brown was still on the board.):   http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draft/rounds/_/round/1/year/2015 

Video:

Meet new Detroit Lion Laken Tomlinson:   http://www.clickondetroit.com/sports/football/meet-new-detroit-lion-laken-tomlinson/32712130  

Friday 5-1-15 Evening:

Articles:

Tomlinson’s road to the NFL: From Jamaica to Detroit:   http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/Tomlinson%E2%80%99s-road-to-the-NFL-From-Jamaica-to-Detroit/5b842271-9fb1-4500-b458-c48985de7376

Tomlinson sounds ready to lead young O-line:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/05/01/detroit-lions-laken-tomlinson/26739669/

Tomlinson part of youth movement on Lions' OL:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/05/01/laken-tomlinson-detroit-lions/26704199/

Lions top pick Tomlinson has excelled in football, life:   http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/05/01/lions-top-pick-tomlinson-excelled-football-life/26751141/

Lions' Laken Tomlinson fulfilling late grandfather's dream on and off field:   http://www.foxsports.com/detroit/story/lions-laken-tomlinson-fulfilling-late-grandfather-s-dream-on-and-off-field-050115

Recapping Laken Tomlinson's introductory presser:   http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2015/5/1/8531431/laken-tomlinson-introductory-press-conference-lions

New Lions guard Laken Tomlinson should transition well from college to NFL:   http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/16872/new-detroit-lions-guard-laken-tomlinson-should-transition-well-from-college-to-the-nfl

Five interesting facts about new Lions guard Laken Tomlinson:   http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/16876/five-interesting-facts-about-new-detroit-lions-guard-laken-tomlinson

Video:

Laken Tomlinson Introductory Press Conference:   http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Laken-Tomlinson-introductory-press-conference/efab5c08-e4bf-47dc-88ae-5b1f36c3661c

Tim And Mike: Laken Tomlinson Interview:   http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/TIM-AND-MIKE-Laken-Tomlinson-interview/acc7522e-fd1a-427c-8d56-0c40e42fe576

Friday 5-1-15 Afternoon:

Five facts: Laken Tomlinson:  http://www.detroitlions.com/news/article-1/Five-facts-Laken-Tomlinson/e2382971-d405-4c54-9a9e-0af779456693

National opinion: Lions made a pretty good pick:  http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/05/01/detroit-lions-nfl-draft-grades/26694361/

Draft ticker: Lions' Tomlinson calls it 'a Disney movie':  http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/05/01/detroit-lions-nfl-draft-tomlinson/26682927/

Detroit Lions first-round pick Laken Tomlinson is one original dude:  http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/05/detroit_lions_first-round_pick.html

Draft captures long journey for Tomlinson, Duke:  http://espn.go.com/blog/acc/post/_/id/81735/draft-captures-long-journey-for-tomlinson-duke

Friday 5-1-15 Morning:

Articles:

A closer look: Guard Laken Tomlinson:   http://www.detroitlions.com/news/article-1/A-closer-look-Guard-Laken-Tomlinson/08bf2d94-2bcf-4f34-adac-9ac98b58b6e7

Lions' Mayhew sold on Tomlinson's determination:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/05/01/detroit-lions-nfl-draft-martin-mayhew/26686477/

Seidel: Tomlinson fills need after smart trade by Lions:  http://www.freep.com/story/sports/columnists/jeff-seidel/2015/05/01/detroit-lions-nfl-draft-jeff-seidel/26686907/

Niyo: In adding Tomlinson, Lions appear ready to maul:  http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/columnists/john-niyo/2015/05/01/niyo-adding-tomlinson-lions-appear-ready-maul/26686509/

Lions trade down, take powerful blocker Tomlinson:  http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/04/30/lions-swap-picks-broncos-add-manny-ramirez/26679827/

Intelligence, Ambition Among Attributes That Attracted Lions To Laken Tomlinson:  http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2015/05/01/intelligence-ambition-among-attributes-that-attracted-lions-to-laken-tomlinson/

Lions revamp O-line by drafting Tomlinson, acquiring Ramirez:  http://www.foxsports.com/detroit/story/lions-trade-down-to-no-28-select-og-laken-tomlinson-043015

Laken Tomlinson excited to join Lions:   http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2015/5/1/8527569/2015-nfl-draft-laken-tomlinson-lions-larry-warford

Martin Mayhew, Jim Caldwell discuss Tomlinson pick:  http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2015/5/1/8527555/2015-nfl-draft-laken-tomlinson-pick-martin-mayhew-jim-caldwell

Netrat's thoughts on Round 1 (5-1-15):  http://thenetrat.blogspot.com/2015/05/2015-nfl-draft-round-1.html

Lions' Laken Tomlinson is one of draft night's best stories:  http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/lions--laken-tomlinson-is-one-of-draft-night-s-best-stories-043830049.html

Let's recap: Winners and losers from Day 1 of the NFL Draft (Lions picked as a winner. Believe it. The Lions didn't make the sexiest moves on Thursday night, but they seemingly got much better up front. Detroit (holding the 26th pick) pulled off a trade with the Denver Broncos, moving down two spots to the 28th selection and scoring Broncos offensive lineman Manny Ramirez and two more draft picks in the process. With the 28th pick, the Lions took Duke guard Laken Tomlinson -- an All-American last season. Not a bad haul.):   http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/photos/2015-nfl-draft-winners-losers-eagles-jets-buccaneers-roger-goodell-043015#img_5

How Round 1 went down, and the 'monster' who caught Glazer's eye (Someday, they may call him Dr. T. For now, the Detroit Lions have themselves a pretty ambitious offensive lineman.  The Lions used the 28th pick to select Laken Tomlinson, a guard who someday wants to be a neurosurgeon. He grew up in Jamaica and ended up as a pre-med student at Duke. His desire to be a doctor came when he was a sophomore in high school, and on a visit back to Jamaica, he watched his grandfather die because of what he called inadequate health care in his home country.  "That angered me and I wanted to change that," Tomlinson said. "My goal in life is to, one day, go back to Jamaica and change the health care system there." Before the Lions chose Tomlinson, Baltimore used the 26th pick on wide receiver Breshad Perriman of Central Florida and Dallas used pick No. 27 for defensive back Byron Jones of UConn.):   http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/draft-jameis-winston-marcus-mariota-dante-fowler-amari-cooper-brandon-scherff-goodell-043015

Anxious waits, surprising picks highlight Day 1 observations (The only veteran who was part of a deal Thursday was Denver offensive lineman Manny Ramirez. He was sent to Detroit as part of a trade-up for the Broncos to acquire Ray. The Lions later added another immediate starter when drafting Duke guard Laken Tomlinson at No. 28. Detroit quarterback Matt Stafford should be thrilled.):   http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/nfl-draft-2015-jets-leonard-williams-falls-out-of-top-five-49ers-shane-ray-043015

Goosebumps moment of draft night goes to Lions' Tomlinson:  http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/detroit-lions-nfl-draft-pick-laken-tomlinson-duke-doctor-grandfather-died-jamaica-050115

Lions land Laken Tomlinson after trading down to 28 (The Lions suddenly have depth at guard, a position that had previously been viewed as a question mark: Larry Warford will start at right guard, while Tomlinson and Ramirez compete to start at left guard. The Lions also added Denver’s fifth-round picks both this year and next year in that trade.  Tomlinson wasn’t universally viewed as a first-round pick, but he’s well-liked by coaches and a smart guy who graduated from Duke with a double major in psychology and evolutionary anthropology. He has said he’d like to be a doctor some day. But first he’ll be a guard, one the Lions are happy to have.):  http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/04/30/lions-land-laken-tomlinson-after-trading-down-to-28/

Rating the NFL draft prospects: Offensive linemen (3. LAKEN TOMLINSON, Duke (6-3½, 319, 5.26, 1-2): Four-year starter at RG. "If there's a first-round guard in this draft and he's not a conversion it's Tomlinson," one scout said. "He's a plug-and-play, start-first-day right or left guard. He plays better than (Chance) Warmack. He's big, athletic, he can pull, he can block at the point, he's smart. He might be a great center, too, if you tried him there." Born in Jamaica, moved to the U.S. at 10. "He wants to be a doctor," said another scout. "Some people want to be sure he's committed to football, which I think he is. The kid loves football. Has played a ton of football. High character. Has ambitions outside football." Graduated from Chicago Lane Tech. "He looks better on the hoof than any subject in the draft other than Scherff," a third scout said. "Great kid, smart (Wonderlic of 23). But how many Duke linemen have there been? You can't name them. Plus, he gets over his toes. He's top-heavy."):  http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/rating-the-nfl-draft-prospects-offensive-linemen-b99486136z1-301296461.html

Vikings Startribune Draft Tracker (Tomlinson: Tomlinson has upside, but it might take some time to realize his full potential. Born in Jamaica, he was one of the top offensive line prospects coming out of high school, despite only playing football since ninth grade.):  http://www.startribune.com/sports/302088141.html?page=13&c=y

Videos:

Martin Mayhew on Laken Tomlinson:  http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Martin-Mayhew-on-Laken-Tomlinson/ebbc78da-9813-4b2b-bd61-3b9006945ad9

1 on 1 with first-round pick Laken Tomlinson:  http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/1-on-1-with-first-round-pick-Laken-Tomlinson/61aa550e-b6be-429f-b1fc-5f9a05682e1e

NFL Combine: OG Laken Tomlinson:  http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/NFL-Combine-OG-Laken-Tomlinson/5b566c99-3aba-4395-b371-b0087b41a8b0

Lions trading back, taking O-lineman not a big surprise:  http://www.freep.com/videos/sports/nfl/lions/2015/05/01/26685205/

NFL draft: Laken Tomlinson says talking with Lions was a blur:  http://www.freep.com/videos/sports/nfl/lions/2015/05/01/26684623/

Thursday 4-30-15:

Articles:

Audio - Laken Tomlinson conference call:  http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/audio/Laken-Tomlinson-conference-call-/be962fc1-e99c-45dd-8b4e-68b7424980a3

PFF's  2015 Draft Reaction Blog, Day 1 (28: Detroit Lions - Laken Tomlinson, OG, Duke: We had Tomlinson going in the first in our mock draft but even we’re a little surprised with this move. Detroit have really added some bodies to their offensive line today and potentially set themselves up for the long term at the guard spot. Tomlinson is an incredibly powerful blocker who just generates movement. That’s why he finished with the second highest grade of all Power-5 tackles, allowing just four pressures all year and demonstrating an ability to hurt linebackers and caved in defensive tackles. He’s going to have to deal with much tougher competition, but we’re excited to see how he handles it.):  https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2015/04/30/2015-draft-reaction-blog-day-1/

First Round Analysis (28. G Laken Tomlinson:  In the very least, the pick makes sense from the standpoint that the Lions literally didn’t have a guard on the roster other than Larry Warford, a 2013 third-round pick. With center Travis Swanson taken in the third round last year, Detroit has set its interior offensive line for the foreseeable future (assuming all these guys pan out). It’s not a big surprise the Lions would invest this way; offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi hails from New Orleans, a team that’s always put huge priority on guard and center.  Needed next: A rookie receiver could come in and immediately capture the No. 3 job, but with tight end Eric Ebron coming aboard last season and Golden Tate having a perfect style to complement Calvin Johnson, wide receiver would be a luxury pick. More prudent would be finding a cornerback who could allow defensive coordinator Teryl Austin more freedom with his coverage calls.):  http://mmqb.si.com/2015/05/01/nfl-draft-first-round-analysis/

Yahoo Draft Tracker (Laken Tomlinson:  Tomlinson, who says he wants to study medicine and who started for four years with the Blue Devils, looks like a Day 1 starter at left guard for the Lions opposite maybe the best guard in football in Larry Warford. Tomlinson is smart, tough and dependable and graded out as one of the best run-blocking linemen in college football last season. Trading down five spots with the Broncos also netted fifth-round picks this year and next, which was good value. (From Broncos)):  http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/draft/

Sporting News Draft Tracker (28. Tomlinson: (from Denver) The Lions traded down and ended up with great value for a smart, powerful interior lineman. They already have Larry Warford holding down right guard, so Tomlinson projects to help provide a similar boost on the left side next to tackle Riley Reiff.):  http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl-draft/2015/draft-order?iadid=Nav_Top_NFLDRAFT_1

USA Today First Round Analysis (Tomlinson: The Lions reloaded at guard Thursday night, re-acquiring Manny Ramirez in a deal with the Broncos before selecting Tomlinson, regarded as the best pure guard available. Tomlinson, who wants to be a neurosurgeon following his football career, will spend the next few years doling out pain rather than relieving it – though that will surely be welcomed by QB Matthew Stafford, who was sacked 45 times in 2014.):  http://sportswire.usatoday.com/2015/04/30/2015-nfl-draft-tracker-first-round-thursday/

SI Draft Tracker Round 1 (Tomlinson: Grade: A- Tomlinson is an intelligent player (as his Duke education might indicate) and can dominate defenders at the line. He is not all that agile, but the Lions' system may not ask him to be.):  http://www.si.com/nfl/2015/04/30/2015-nfl-draft-round-1-analysis-grades?page=2&devicetype=default

CBS Draft Tracker (Tomlinson: He is a nasty, tough football player who will help their running game. I like this pick a lot, especially after they dropped down.):   http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/drafttracker

Foxsports Draft Tracker (Jim Caldwell wants to beef up the offensive line and does so by adding Tomlinson.):  http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/draft

Sportsnetwork's pick by pick analysis (28. Detroit Lions - Laken Tomlinson (OL, Duke) - Analysis: Tomlinson is an exceptionally smart player. He's also a very solid pick to a team that lost Reggie Bush in the offseason and needs to improve its offensive line. Tomlinson should be inserted into the starting lineup right away to make an impact, and to protect Matt Stafford, who was sacked 47 times in 2014, postseason included.):   http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=nfl/news/news.aspx?id=820602

Thumbs up, thumbs down for first-round draft picks (28. Laken Tomlinson: It looked like Manny Ramirez, whom the Lions picked up in a trade with the Denver Broncos, would be Detroit's next left guard -- at least for a half hour. Detroit then drafted Tomlinson, an extremely talented player who should immediately slide into the starting left guard spot. He’s an extremely intelligent player and should be able to pick up Detroit’s blocking scheme easily. This fills a need and locks up a player who wouldn’t have been there in Round 2. He’s the best guard in the draft. Nice move by Martin Mayhew. Thumbs up. -- Michael Rothstein):   http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/166721/thumbs-up-thumbs-down-for-first-round-draft-picks
Detroit Lions draft Laken Tomlinson: social reaction:   http://www.detroitlions.com/news/article-1/Detroit-Lions-draft-Laken-Tomlinson-social-reaction/fa111bbb-f8d3-40b8-8ade-2d684d4fe5e7

Mitch Albom: Lions address need, add two offensive linemen on NFL draft opening night:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/columnists/mitch-albom/2015/05/01/detroit-lions-nfl-draft-mitch-albom/26686209/

Draft updates: Lions grab Duke guard Tomlinson:   http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/04/30/live-updates-nfl-draft/26656641/

Duke G Laken Tomlinson selected by Detroit Lions in first round of NFL draft:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/04/duke_g_laken_tomlinson_selecte.html

Laken Tomlinson a 'people mover,' per Mike Mayock; best guard on the board, Mel Kiper says:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/04/laken_tomlinson_a_people_mover.html

Get to know: Detroit Lions pick Laken Tomlinson grew up in Jamaica, graduated from Duke with two degrees:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/05/detroit_lions_pick_laken_tomli.html

Lions trade down to No. 28, select OL Laken Tomlinson (During a pre-draft news conference, NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock compared Tomlinson to Lions right guard Larry Warford, a third-round pick two years ago. Mayock had Tomlinson ranked as the No. 53 prospect overall in this draft. "He's one of my favorites," Mayock said of Tomlinson. "But he's kind of scheme specific. If you like him, it generally means you're a gap-scheme, mauler type of team, where you like bigger guys like the Detroit Lions drafted Larry Warford a couple years ago. That's a guy that I think is similar to Laken Tomlinson. "If you like him, you like him as a second-round phone-booth mauler. If you don't like him, you're probably a zone-scheme team, outside zone, and you don't like his athletic abilities enough to consistently play at that level with the feet necessary and conditioning necessary. "I think he's going in the second round, worst case third, and he's one of my favorites."):   http://www.foxsports.com/detroit/story/lions-trade-down-to-no-28-select-og-laken-tomlinson-043015

Total breakdown: Lions draft OG Laken Tomlinson in first round:   http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/16847/total-breakdown-lions-draft-og-laken-tomlinson-in-first-round 

Videos:

Jim Caldwell On Laken Tomlinson:   http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Jim-Caldwell-on-Laken-Tomlinson/87d14221-995f-47a7-a61c-484f6474a03d

NFL Draft Gold Carpet: Laken Tomlinson:   http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/NFL-Draft-Gold-Carpet-Laken-Tomlinson/fb000743-b21d-47f2-991e-a3779888c327

Lions Pick Guard Laken Tomlinson No. 28 In 2015 NFL Draft:   http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Lions-pick-guard-Laken-Tomlinson-No-28-in-2015-NFL-Draft/61e7e095-9bb7-4b8a-b2df-8e5418113671