Justin Gilbert has established himself as the top cornerback in the draft with a strong combine that included running the 40-yard dash in 4.37 seconds, the fastest time among defensive backs. The Lions have no impact cornerbacks and the loss of safety Louis Delmas further weakens an already porous secondary.

Jimmie Ward had 95 tackles last year giving him 299 in the last three years of his college career. He also had seven interceptions and 10 passes defended in 2013. Ward is very good in coverage and will be a huge upgrade during divisional games against the passing attacks of the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers.

Dominique Easley would have been a first-round pick if not for tearing his ACL early in the 2013 season. Easley lines up at 6-foot-2, 282 pounds with great burst and a continuous motor as he pursues the ball. The Lions will need to add a defensive end during the draft after losing defensive end Willie Young to the Chicago Bears.

6-foot-3, 310-pound Marcus Martin left USC early to enter the draft and is expected to go anywhere from the second to the fifth round. Martin began his career at left guard and provides athleticism and versatility. Martin is a perfect fit for the Lions to groom before taking over for Dominic Raiola in 2015.

The Lions do not have a fifth round pick this year, but if they did they may look to draft a backup quarterback like A.J. McCarron if he fell to the fifth round. Backup Sean Hill is likely not returning, and McCarron could be a developmental guy who should turn into a reliable backup QB.

Arthur Lynch played well as a blocker for Georgia in 2013 in addition to catching 30 passes for 459 yards and five touchdowns. Lynch is 6-foot-5, 258 pounds and would provide the Lions with depth at the tight end position after likely losing Brandon Pettigrew to free agency. Lynch is projected primarily as a blocking tight end.

With kicker David Akers likely not returning after his contract expired, the Lions will need to bring in some new legs to try out. Anthony Fera was 20-for-22 kicking field goals for the Longhorns in 2013 and is one of the best kicker prospects available in this year's draft, projecting as a sixth- or seventh-round pick.