Lions Need Surprise Players To Star
By: Dennis Fithian
@dennisfithian
It's not a 100% sure thing, but looking back at the last five Super Bowl winners it stands out. Teams that have gone on to win it all get big contributions from late round draft picks and undrafted free agents. Look at last year's winner the Baltimore Ravens. Linebackers Dannell Ellerbe and Jameel McClain both were undrafted free agent picks ups by the Ravens. I've listed below the last few Super Bowl winners and the contributions they got late in the draft or later. Nobody is picking the Lions to win the Super Bowl this year, but if they did a few players like Joique Bell, Willie Young, Jonte Green or Tahir Whitehead would need to step into a starting role and surprise.
2011 Giants:
RB Ahmad Bradshaw - 7th round pick
WR Victor Cruz - Undrafted
TE Jake Ballard - Undrafted
LB Jacquian Williams - 6th round
OT David Diehl -5th round
OT Kevin Boothe -6th round
2010 Packers:
FB John Kuhn -Undrafted
WR Donald Driver -7th round
DB Tramon Williams - Undrafted
LB Frank Zombo - Undrafted
DB Charlie Peprah - 5th round
2009 Saints:
RB Mike Bell - Undrafted
RB Pierre Thomas - Undrafted
WR Marques Colston - 7th round
LB Scott Shanle - 7th round
DB Jabari Greer - Undrafted
OG Carl Nicks - 5th round
C Jonathan Goodwin - 5th round
2008 Steelers:
RB Willie Parker - Undrafted
WR Nate Washington - Undrafted
LB James Harrison- Undrafted
DB Ryan Clark - Undrafted
DT Brett Keisel - 7th round
OG Chris Kemoeatu - 6th round
OG Darnell Stapleton - Undrafted
