Morning Lions Links for Thursday 5-8-14

Lions Articles:

National Media:

Draft science has improved, but it's still hit and miss: http://msn.foxsports.com/arizona/story/draft-science-has-improved-but-still-a-hit-and-miss-process-050714

Which NFL teams have drafted best over the last 5 years? (The Lions are near the bottom): http://q.usatoday.com/2014/05/07/nfl-draft-best-teams-seattle-seahawks-san-francisco-49ers-tennessee-titans-new-england-patriots/

Reports: NFL could change date, location of future drafts: http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/24553571/nfl-could-push-2015-nfl-draft-back-further-many-cities-interested

Three 2014 NFL Draft musings: http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Three-2014-NFL-Draft-musings.html

Local Media:

History Reminds Us Not To Miss On Early Picks: http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/History-reminds-us-not-to-miss-on-early-picks/3cdcca9f-f76b-4d2c-8f65-c8452cc429e0

Joique Bell's Instragram indicates Detroit Lions RB is dealing with a knee injury: http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2014/05/joique_bells_instragram_indica.html

On eve of NFL draft, Detroit Lions thankful they had extra 2 weeks to prepare: http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2014/05/on_eve_of_nfl_draft_detroit_li.html

Column: The pressure is on Detroit Lions GM Martin Mayhew in NFL draft: http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2014/05/column_the_pressure_is_on_detr.html

Time for Detroit Lions to put up or shut up in NFL Draft, Pat Caputo writes: http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20140507/time-for-detroit-lions-to-put-up-or-shut-up-in-nfl-draft-pat-caputo-writes

2014 Draft:

National Media:

One opinion on Detroit's draft board: http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/7528/one-opinion-on-detroits-draft-board

More questions from Tuesday's Lions chat: http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/7520/more-questions-from-tuesdays-lions-chat

Lions NFL draft preview: Cornerbacks: http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/7524/lions-nfl-draft-preview-cornerbacks

Five Draft Predictions: http://espn.go.com/nfl/draft2014/story/_/id/10891552/2014-nfl-draft-expect-big-trades-plenty-qb-drama

Clinton-Dix, Pryor take brotherly approach to status as draft's top safeties: http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000347441/article/ha-ha-clintondix-calvin-pryor-pulling-for-each-other

Signs point to Texas A&M WR Evans going earlier than some expect: http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000347424/article/texas-am-wr-mike-evans-unlikely-to-fall-out-of-top-five

10 truths for 2014 NFL Draft (he thinks the Lions will either trade for Watkins or draft Ebron): http://www.nfl.com/draft/story/0ap2000000347423/article/sorting-through-smokescreens-to-find-10-draft-truths

Prospect takeaways: Rams, Falcons in on Robinson?: http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000347421/article/prospect-takeaways-rams-falcons-in-on-robinson

Overvalued/undervalued prospects: http://www.nfl.com/draft/story/0ap2000000347360/article/draft-stock-aj-mccarron-undervalued-tom-savage-overvalued

Eight things we learned in Wednesday's draft buzz: http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000347683/article/eight-things-we-learned-in-wednesdays-draft-buzz

Twelve takeaways from Mayock's mock draft: http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000347523/article/twelve-takeaways-from-mike-mayocks-mock-draft

2014 NFL Draft: Firstborn Favorites: http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/blog/rob-rang/24553785/nfl-draft-firstborn-favorites

2014 NFL Draft: LSU QB Zach Mettenberger red-flagged for bad back?: http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/blog/rob-rang/24553443/nfl-draft-lsu-qb-zach-mettenberger-red-flagged-for-bad-back

2014 NFL Draft: 10 Bold Predictions: http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/blog/rob-rang/24553716/nfl-draft-10-bold-predictions

2014 NFL draft: Detroit Lions inform Sammy Watkins they want to trade up for him: http://nfl.si.com/2014/05/07/2014-nfl-draft-detroit-lions-sammy-watkins-trade-up/

Defense sleepers in the draft: http://nfl.si.com/2014/05/07/2014-nfl-draft-sleepers-defense/

Cover-Two: Draft's burning questions: http://nfl.si.com/2014/05/07/2014-nfl-draft-burning-questions/

Tom Savage, Cody Latimer among most overrated prospects in 2014 NFL draft: http://nfl.si.com/2014/05/07/2014-nfl-draft-overrated-prospects/

2014 NFL draft rumors: Odell Beckham Jr. could be drafted before Mike Evans: http://nfl.si.com/2014/05/07/2014-nfl-draft-odell-beckham-mike-evans/

10 Things I Think I Think: http://mmqb.si.com/2014/05/08/2014-nfl-draft-peter-king/

Penn State WR Allen Robinson continues to be on the rise: http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/penn-state-wr-allen-robinson-continues-to-be-on-the-rise-050714

Florida State WR Kelvin Benjamin turns his focus to rookie minicamp: http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/florida-state-wr-kelvin-benjamin-turns-his-focus-to-rookie-minicamp-050714

2014 NFL draft: The most pressing questions: http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2014-05-07/2014-nfl-draft-preview-johnny-manziel-jadeveon-clowney-teddy-bridgewater-michael-sam

NFL draft super-sleepers: http://q.usatoday.com/2014/05/07/tcus-casey-pachall-still-has-the-talent-to-play-qb-in-the-nfl/

Anthony Barr says inexperience at OLB is a positive: http://q.usatoday.com/2014/05/07/nfl-draft-anthony-barr-says-inexperience-at-olb-is-a-positive/b

Free agency moves that changed draft strategies: http://q.usatoday.com/2014/05/07/free-agency-nfl-draft-strategy-pittsburgh-steelers-arizona-cardinals-new-england-patriots/

Final pre-draft evaluation: Blocking out the noise: http://q.usatoday.com/2014/05/07/final-pre-draft-evaluation-blocking-out-the-noise/ 

Evans, Benjamin must refine game:    http://sports.yahoo.com/news/mike-evans--kelvin-benjamin-fit-nfl-s-trend-of-bigger-is-better-at-wr-011017034.html

10 bold predictions:   http://sports.yahoo.com/news/2014-nfl-draft-10-bold-193152703--nfl.html

Mettenberger's trainer explains diluted drug test; back issues:    http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/zach-mettenberger-s-trainer-explains-diluted-drug-test--back-issue-235017087.html

Five things to know about the NFL draft:    http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=nfl/writers/extrapoints/archive/extrapoints_050714.htm

Bob McGinn's top 100 board:    http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/258319491.html

Best scenario for the Lions is to trade up for talent:    http://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/article/20140507/SPORTS/305070038/Bill-Broderick-Best-scenario-for-the-Lions-is-to-trade-up-for-talent

Lions have options with another top 10 pick:   http://blogs.windsorstar.com/2014/05/07/lions-have-options-with-another-top-10-pick/

Local Media:

Twentyman: Moving Back Might Be Lions’ Best Bet: http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/TWENTYMAN-Moving-back-might-be-Lions%E2%80%99-best-bet/1cc2db1d-c0a7-4727-a6d7-aaea1b82e2e9

Q&A With Nfl Network Analyst Mike Mayock: http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/QA-with-NFL-Network-analyst-Mike-Mayock/3ad34e20-e068-410a-9843-2b94c34d4c35

Jeff Seidel: Trade up for Sammy Watkins? No, no, Lions, stick with defense: http://www.freep.com/article/20140507/COL38/305070178/detroit-lions-nfl-draft

WR Evans says 'it'd be tight' to get picked by Lions, even though he'll probably go sooner: http://www.freep.com/article/20140507/SPORTS01/305070154/detroit-lions-nfl-draft-mike-evans

UCLA linebacker Barr says it would be 'very enticing' to play on Lions' defense: http://www.freep.com/article/20140507/SPORTS01/305070179/UCLA-linebacker-Barr-says-would-very-enticing-play-Lions-defense

Special teams ability could be factor in whom Lions draft: http://www.freep.com/article/20140507/SPORTS01/305070092/detroit-lions-nfl-draft

Exploring Detroit Lions' draft needs: Linebackers: http://www.freep.com/article/20140507/SPORTS01/305070056/nfl-draft-detroit-lions-linebackers

Lions' NFL draft: Breaking down biggest need by position: http://www.freep.com/article/20140508/SPORTS01/305080059/detroit-lions-nfl-draft

Analysts say NFL draft is deep, no need to trade up to chase high pick: http://www.freep.com/article/20140508/SPORTS01/305080069/nfl-draft-trading-up

Lions' NFL draft: Despite the mocks, nobody's sure what to expect: http://www.freep.com/article/20140508/SPORTS01/305080054/nfl-draft-detroit-lions

Mitch Albom: NFL draft is nice once it starts, insane buildup finally ends: http://www.freep.com/article/20140508/COL01/305080052/nfl-draft-hype-detroit-lions-mitch-albom

Lions shouldn't pass on Dennard:   http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140508/SPORTS0101/305080047/Lions-shouldn-t-pass-Michigan-State-s-Darqueze-Dennard

On eve of draft, Lions' target remains a mystery:   http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140507/SPORTS0101/305070092/0/SPORTS0101/On-eve-NFL-draft-Lions-target-remains-mystery

Six logical choices for Lions at number 10:   http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140507/SPORTS0101/305070106/0/SPORTS0101/Six-logical-choices-Lions-No-10-

Could the Detroit Lions trade up for ... Mike Evans?: http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2014/05/could_the_detroit_lions_trade_1.html

Detroit Lions 2014 NFL draft prospect: Alabama safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix: http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2014/05/detroit_lions_2014_nfl_draft_p_33.html

Detroit Lions GM Martin Mayhew reiterates desire for fast WRs with good hands: http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2014/05/detroit_lions_gm_martin_mayhew_41.html

Detroit Lions will draft best available player; won't focus on offense or defense: http://oplions.blogspot.com/2014/05/detroit-lions-will-draft-best-available.html

Taking a look at Lions' draft needs: http://msn.foxsports.com/detroit/story/taking-a-look-at-lions-draft-needs-050714

Dennard's journey to NFL almost didn't happen: http://www.wxyz.com/sports/darqueze-dennards-journey-to-the-nfl-nearly-stopped-in-high-school

Video:

National Media:

NFL Nation Buzz: Detroit Lions: http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/7513/nfl-nation-buzz-detroit-lions-26

Inside The Huddle: Success Of Wide Receivers: http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=10897427

Boomer's best non-QBs in the draft: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/video/nfl/20140507/nfl-draft-top-5-players-available-boomer-esiason.sportsillustrated/

Local Media:

Roundtable Lions Draft Preview 5-7-14: http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/video?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=10137268