2012 NFL Draft Detroit Lions should take Jonathan Martin in 1st Round

Published: 25^th Feb 12 8:56 am

by Greg Bolotin
Greg Bolotin

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Jason O. Watson-US PRESSWIRE

Choosing a first round draft pick is difficult when you are the Detroit Lions. The Lions have a lot of holes to fill on their team. The Lions want their 2012 NFL Draft picks to cover most of their needs.

Going into the 2012 the season, the Lions should highly consider drafting Jonathan Martin, an offensive tackle from Stanford University. The reason the Lions should do this is simple: to protect their franchise quarterback, Matthew Stafford, from injuries.

The first two seasons of Stafford’s career were cut short due to injuries that kept him off the field. The Lions records during those two seasons were very disappointing. When Stafford had an injury-free 2011 season, he had his best season, throwing for over 5,000 yards. More importantly Stafford led the Lions to their first playoff berth since 1999.The Lions want to see Stafford continue to put up these great numbers for years to come and lead them to a Super Bowl win.

Drafting a player like Martin would not only help the Lions passing game, it would help open up their running game that struggled mightily in 2011. With Jahvid Best going down for most of the season with his second concussion, the Lions never really had a rushing attack for the rest of the season.

Martin, whose main job in college was to protect his quarterback, Andrew Luck, who is most likely going to be the 1^st overall pick of the 2012 NFL draft. He is a guy you want on your team. The Lions saw what a healthy Stafford is capable of. Just think of how much better he can be with an even stronger offensive line; a line that can protect his blind side and keep him as close to injury free as possible for years to come.

The Detroit Lions do have needs on both sides of the ball. Using the 23^rd pick to protect your franchise quarterback and help open up your offense is a good choice. Drafting a player like Jonathan Martin would help make the Lions legit contenders for the Super Bowl.

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