Morning Lions Links for Saturday 5-2-15

Lions Articles:

Local Media:

Seidel: Lions looking to fix past errors by drafting RB:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/05/01/jeff-seidel-ameer-abdullah/26755333/

Detroit Lions: Five things you should know about Manny Ramirez:   http://oplions.blogspot.com/2015/05/detroit-lions-manny-ramirez-returns.html

Lions bolster running game, secondary on Day 2 of NFL Draft:   http://www.foxsports.com/detroit/story/lions-select-rb-ameer-abdullah-in-second-round-050115

CB Alex Carter Articles:

A closer look: Cornerback Alex Carter:   http://www.detroitlions.com/news/article-1/A-closer-look-Cornerback-Alex-Carter/0dab4382-146a-4eb0-9d46-14839e7c636b

Lions trade up to get Stanford DB Alex Carter:   http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/05/01/lions-trade-up-to-get-stanford-db-alex-carter/26753663/

Alex Carter will begin Detroit Lions career at corner; could play safety too:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/05/alex_carter_will_begin_detroit.html

Alex Carter might work better inside at safety, NFL analysts say:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/05/alex_carter_might_work_better.html

Get to know Alex Carter: Detroit Lions' pick lost sister to diabetes, played through torn labrum:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/05/get_to_know_alex_carter_detroi.html

Detroit Lions draft CB Alex Carter who has connections:   http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150502/detroit-lions-draft-cb-alex-carter-who-has-connections

For New Lion Alex Carter, Previous Connections To Team Include Mayhew, Mathis, Sanders:   http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2015/05/02/for-new-lion-alex-carter-previous-connections-to-team-include-mayhew-mathis-sanders/

Total Breakdown: Lions Draft DB Alex Carter In Third Round:   http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/16895/total-breakdown-lions-draft-db-alex-carter-in-third-round

Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down For Second-round Draft Picks:   http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/166725/thumbs-up-thumbs-down-for-second-round-draft-picks

ESPN Draft Tracker (80. CB Alex Carter: What he brings: Carter has the length, upper-body strength and enough speed to emerge as an effective press corner at the NFL level. He's also got the frame and leaping ability to match up with bigger receivers competing for 50-50 balls, but he's not a ball hawk (two career interceptions). He also lacks ideal change-of-direction skills, so he needs to win with physicality to hold own in man working against most receivers. How he fits: Rashean Mathis re-signed for two years and is expected to start opposite Darius Slay, but he's 34 years old and Carter could be considered his heir. Carter is a good fit for this zone-heavy scheme, plus Nevin Lawson, Bill Bentley and Mohammed Seisay combined for only 89 snaps last year. Free-agent signing Josh Wilson adds depth, but he's not expected to push for substantial playing time.):   http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draft/rounds/_/round/3/year/2015

CBS Draft Tracker (They have a major need to get a young corner, and this kid is a nice, solid addition.):   http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/drafttracker

Fox sports Draft Tracker (80. CB Alex Carter: Teryl Austin's defense gets a corner with length and speed.):   http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/draft?season=2015

SI Draft Analysis (80. CB Alex Carter: Strengths - Has the ideal size desired at the position in today's NFL. Knows how to get sticky in off-coverage and transition between assignments. Keeps his body low in press coverage and has a nice combination of patient feet and a quick hip turn. Can stick with receivers and read the quarterback in press-bail coverage. Has the traits and fundamentals to switch between man and zone coverage. Trails well to the boundary once he's in a receiver's hip pocket. Strikes a good balance between aggressiveness and coverage; will avoid heavy flags with current technique. Willing tackler who forced five fumbles in his career. Weaknesses - A bit hesitant in his breaks when dealing with quick angle routes. Will mince at times with his backpedal footwork and may be fooled by stutter-go moves at the next level. A bit mechanical at times in his transitions and hip-flips to cover. Doesn't have the top gear to deal with speed receivers on deep vertical routes.):   http://www.si.com/nfl/draft-2015/analysis/690991

SN Draft Tracker (80. CB Alex Carter: The Lions trade up to address their need at corner. Carter may need some time to hone his outside coverage and ball skills to start, but his size, toughness, smarts and ability to play the run will make him a subpackage asset in the meantime.):   http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl-draft/2015/draft-order?round=3

RB Ameer Abdullah Articles:

A closer look: Running back Ameer Abdullah:   http://www.detroitlions.com/news/article-1/A-closer-look-Running-back-Ameer-Abdullah/0b6b6105-5fb0-4e9a-8d77-2e075f8317e0

Detroit Lions Draft Ameer Abdullah: Social reaction:   http://www.detroitlions.com/news/article-1/Detroit-Lions-Draft-Ameer-Abdullah-Social-reaction/7f269fd8-6a9c-4a4a-ae12-a03d0b12da61

Lions select RB Ameer Abdullah in 2nd round of NFL draft:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/05/01/detroit-lions-nfl-draft-ameer-abdullah/26744651/

Lions hope to make most of Abdullah's versatility:   http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/05/01/lions-hope-make-abdullahs-versatility/26758065/

Pat Caputo - Ameer Abdullah could make or break 2015 NFL Draft for Detroit Lions:   http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150502/pat-caputo-ameer-abdullah-could-make-or-break-2015-nfl-draft-for-detroit-lions

Detroit Lions add to run game, draft Ameer Abdullah in second round:   http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150501/detroit-lions-add-to-run-game-draft-ameer-abdullah-in-second-round

With First Two Picks, Lions Make Clear Their Intention Of Improving Run Game:   http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2015/05/01/with-first-two-picks-lions-make-clear-their-intention-of-improving-run-game/

Lions focus on running game in first two days of NFL draft:   http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/16903/the-detroit-lions-try-to-solidify-their-running-game-in-first-two-days-of-the-draft

ESPN Draft Tracker (54. Ameer Abdullah: What he brings: Abdullah isn't a power back but plays much bigger than his size. He runs angry. He is also the best back in this class at getting in and out of creases. Some backs have elite agility but can't sense holes opening up in time, while others have the instincts but not the quickness to take advantage of it. Abdullah has a rare combination of both. He's a good pass-catcher, but needs to improve his ball security. How he fits: The Lions released Reggie Bush. Theo Riddick could play a bigger role in the passing game with Bush moving, but he's a better receiver than runner. Joique Bell has had problems staying healthy, and he's averaged fewer than 4 yards per carry the past two seasons, so this was a pressing need. In addition, Abdullah is the top back on our board at this point, and he's a good fit for offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi's zone-heavy scheme. Still, this is a bit of a risky pick considering Abdullah isn't built like a bell cow, he's been banged up in the past and the Lions might need him to carry a heavy workload.):    http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draft/rounds/_/round/2/year/2015

SN Draft Tracker (54. RB Ameer Abdullah: The Lions had running back as a position they would address after releasing Reggie Bush. He's a good complement to Joique Bell because of his versatility, outside pop and receiving ability.):   http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl-draft/2015/draft-order?round=2

OG Laken Tomlinson Articles:

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

2015 Draft Articles:

10 prospects to watch for Detroit Lions on Day 3 of the 2015 NFL draft:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/05/10_prospects_to_watch_for_detr_1.html

Brandt: Best remaining players:   http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000489095/article/2015-nfl-draft-best-remaining-prospects

Pressing questions heading into draft's final day:   http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000490262/article/pressing-questions-heading-into-drafts-final-day

Best players still on the board:   http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/25171138/nfl-draft-ranking-the-best-available-players-going-into-round-four

2015 NFL Draft: Cowboys drafting a QB among 5 Bold Predictions:   http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/25171179/nfl-draft-day-3-bold-predictions-includes-lael-collins-future

Top 10 players left on NFL draft board:   http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/draft/2015/05/02/10-best-available-day-3-fourth-fifth-sixth-seventh-rounds/26764235/

Bryce Petty, Brett Hundley Remain Available On Day 3 Of The Draft:   http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/05/02/bryce-petty-brett-hundley-remain-available-on-day-3-of-the-draft/

Norris: Best Available Day 3:   http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/cfb/53875/325/norris-best-available-day-3

The best available players remaining in NFL draft:   http://www.si.com/nfl/draft-2015/bestavailable

Best players available after second, third round of NFL Draft:   http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2015-05-01/nfl-draft-best-players-available-round-fourth-saturday-remaining-lael-collins-bryce-petty-michael-bennett

2015 NFL Draft: Potential Day 3 steals:   http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2015-05-02/2015-nfl-draft-potential-day-three-steals-baylor-ecu-pirates-ncaa-colts-packers-patriots

Grades:

Round 2:

Walter football Draft Grades ( 54. Ameer Abdullah, RB, Nebraska: A Grade - Reggie Bush had a nice start to his Detroit career, but he flamed out, making countless mistakes toward the end of his tenure there. The Lions had to find a replacement for Bush, and they managed to do so with Ameer Abdullah, a game-breaking running back who can go the distance every time he touches the ball. Abdullah could develop into a three-down back if he learns how to block better. Even still, he'll make the Lions' offense so much more explosive.) :   http://walterfootball.com/offseason2015det.php

Round 3:

Walter football Draft Grades (80. Alex Carter, CB, Stanford: A- Grade - Here's the Alex Carter pick. I thought Carter would go to the Steelers or Packers at the end of the second round, given that he fit their scheme so well. The Lions have to be thrilled that he dropped; Carter should be able to start eventually once Rashean Mathis moves on.):   http://walterfootball.com/offseason2015det.php

Overall:

2015 NFL Draft: Quick-snap grades for NFC teams (Day 1 grade: A-, Day 2 grade: A-Overall grade: A-: The skinny: In a span of about 30 minutes, theLions upgraded their interior offensive line and managed to get more picks in the process.Matthew Stafford is no doubt quite happy at this news, and while some saw Tomlinson as a reach at the tail end of the first round, he's a safe pick that will help the team. Abdullah was Mayock's No. 3 back in the draft and is a steal at the end of the second round. He'll be a nice fit in the Lions offense while replacing Reggie Bush. Carter is a smart corner who could wind up being a nice weapon, given the other quarterbacks and wideouts in the division.):   http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000489142/article/2015-nfl-draft-day-1-quicksnap-grades-for-nfc-teams

Trades:

Walter football Grades the Trade (Vikings get an A, Lions get a C+: Vikings trade No. 80 to Lions for No. 88 (3rd), No. 143 (5th)  I love how the Vikings are picking up all of these extra fifth- and sixth-rounders. They are going to have lots of depth if they can hit on their selections. The Lions may have been able to wait for Alex Carter, so I don't think I would've surrendered a fifth-round choice for him. I don't think it's a bad move, but I wouldn't have done it.):   http://walterfootball.com/draft2015tradegrades.php

Video:

National Media:

Lions pick Carter No. 80:   http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-draft/0ap3000000490171/Lions-pick-Carter-No-80

Local Media:

Mayhew, Caldwell On Alex Carter:   http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Mayhew-Caldwell-on-Alex-Carter/4f61913f-d8a0-4589-b28d-312cad28cef5

Mayhew, Caldwell On Ameer Abdullah:   http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Mayhew-Caldwell-on-Ameer-Abdullah/23d2465f-2c32-43e8-9c59-46a9b3af21bb

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