Post by D6 on May 2, 2021 12:25:44 GMT -5
2021 NFL draft: Detroit Lions take Syracuse DB Ifeatu Melifonwu in third round
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This new thread relates to the following thread and the threads in that discussion:
Round 2:DT Levi Onwuzurike (Washington) : Pick # 41 ( 2021 )
detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/1031/round-levi-onwuzurike-washington-pick?page=1&scrollTo=5293
This new thread relates to the following thread:
NFL Draft Preview: Defensive Backs ( 2021 )
detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/1014/draft-preview-defensive-backs-2021
Much like with DT Levi Onwuzurike, the Lions Round 2 ( pick # 41 ) selection, Ifeatu Melifonwu wasn't mentioned in any of the Round 2 and Round 3 Lions options listed in the articles I read on Friday. Hence, that contributed to me inadvertently omitting him on my Lions preference list for Round 2 and Round 3.
Though I projected Ifeatu Melifonwu to be drafted by Seattle with Pick # 56 in second half of Round 2, he wasn't on my preferred options list with pick # 72, in the early part of Round 3. With pick # 101 in the latter part of Round 3, I think the Lions selecting Melifonwu is a good outcome. I didn't envision him getting remotely close to pick # 101, hence that also contributed to him not being on my Lions Round 2 and Round 3 preference list.
I was disappointed that Washington CB-S Elijah Molden was taken by the Tennessee Titans with pick # 100. This was the first of two times in this draft a player went the pick before the Lions were on the clock that was at or near my remaining top preferred Liona options for a pick.. It happened again in Round 7, when divisional opponent Green Bay drafted Mississippi St. RB Kylin Hill with pick # 256, in the latter part of Round 7.
While LSU LB Jabril Cox was my preferred Lions choice with pick # 101, Ifeatu Melifonwu is a good value selection that I like. Melifonwu has a long CB ( at or close to 6-2 1/2" , with 32 1/8 " arm length and is a terrific athlete. His 41 1/2" Vertical Jump Pro Day Number and 11' 2" Broad Jump numbers are fantastic. For a tall CB who weighed 205 lbs at his Pro Day workout, he has very good movement ability. There's plenty to work with and Melifonwu has good football character.
For Melifonwu to become a preferred starting CB for the Lions, he needs to continue to get stronger, which will help him become more consistent as a tackler and overall in run support. He also needs to improve his awareness in coverage. While Melifonwu uses his length well in press coverage and in breaking up passes, he commits too many penalties down the down the field in coverage. Plenty of growing pains are inevitable with him and practically every other rookie CB.
Melifonwu also has the long term potential to be a versatile Safety for the Lions. However, putting too much on his plate as a rookie would be a mistake. Especially, if as expected, he's being counted on to contribute on multiple Special Teams units.
In the article, Quinton Dunbar was inadvertently omitted as part of the Lions CB equation. If Dunbar demonstrates this summer that he's a good fit for Dan Campbell's program, the Lions will have a greater luxury of letting Melifonwu earn playing time on Defense.
......
This new thread relates to the following thread and the threads in that discussion:
Round 2:DT Levi Onwuzurike (Washington) : Pick # 41 ( 2021 )
detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/1031/round-levi-onwuzurike-washington-pick?page=1&scrollTo=5293
This new thread relates to the following thread:
NFL Draft Preview: Defensive Backs ( 2021 )
detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/1014/draft-preview-defensive-backs-2021
Much like with DT Levi Onwuzurike, the Lions Round 2 ( pick # 41 ) selection, Ifeatu Melifonwu wasn't mentioned in any of the Round 2 and Round 3 Lions options listed in the articles I read on Friday. Hence, that contributed to me inadvertently omitting him on my Lions preference list for Round 2 and Round 3.
Though I projected Ifeatu Melifonwu to be drafted by Seattle with Pick # 56 in second half of Round 2, he wasn't on my preferred options list with pick # 72, in the early part of Round 3. With pick # 101 in the latter part of Round 3, I think the Lions selecting Melifonwu is a good outcome. I didn't envision him getting remotely close to pick # 101, hence that also contributed to him not being on my Lions Round 2 and Round 3 preference list.
I was disappointed that Washington CB-S Elijah Molden was taken by the Tennessee Titans with pick # 100. This was the first of two times in this draft a player went the pick before the Lions were on the clock that was at or near my remaining top preferred Liona options for a pick.. It happened again in Round 7, when divisional opponent Green Bay drafted Mississippi St. RB Kylin Hill with pick # 256, in the latter part of Round 7.
While LSU LB Jabril Cox was my preferred Lions choice with pick # 101, Ifeatu Melifonwu is a good value selection that I like. Melifonwu has a long CB ( at or close to 6-2 1/2" , with 32 1/8 " arm length and is a terrific athlete. His 41 1/2" Vertical Jump Pro Day Number and 11' 2" Broad Jump numbers are fantastic. For a tall CB who weighed 205 lbs at his Pro Day workout, he has very good movement ability. There's plenty to work with and Melifonwu has good football character.
For Melifonwu to become a preferred starting CB for the Lions, he needs to continue to get stronger, which will help him become more consistent as a tackler and overall in run support. He also needs to improve his awareness in coverage. While Melifonwu uses his length well in press coverage and in breaking up passes, he commits too many penalties down the down the field in coverage. Plenty of growing pains are inevitable with him and practically every other rookie CB.
Melifonwu also has the long term potential to be a versatile Safety for the Lions. However, putting too much on his plate as a rookie would be a mistake. Especially, if as expected, he's being counted on to contribute on multiple Special Teams units.
In the article, Quinton Dunbar was inadvertently omitted as part of the Lions CB equation. If Dunbar demonstrates this summer that he's a good fit for Dan Campbell's program, the Lions will have a greater luxury of letting Melifonwu earn playing time on Defense.