We all know as football fans that it is certainly early in the game to even speculate what our respective NFL teams are going to do in free agency or the draft. But what us as Lions fans know, and maybe some of the other teams and their fans who are all tuning in to the Super Bowl this Sunday and not playing in it, is what our team needs are. This article is a "as of now" look, and will more than likely be a crock by the time all things are said and done. But hey, we digress and go ahead anyway.

There are still juniors declaring for the draft and that makes for adjustments each and every time to the many mock drafts I have looked at. And I am somewhat disappointed in myself that I waited this long to write this as someone from the Detroit Free Press had the same idea. That's okay, as I also visited each of those websites and then some. In addition, we still have next month's NFL combine to consider, which make or break a lot of draft picks. They either show up and compete, boost their draft stock, or decide to just be poked and prodded without taking part. A good showing at the Combine may get players drafted, but does not ensure stardom, which we have seen many time.

What will the Lions do? We know the areas of need. What we don't know is how Matt Millen will address them. So what we will do here is the best we can with the possibilities that may be available to the team at selection 15. I am more than pleased with our poll question addressing team needs and the readers are right on target and I agree with them wholeheartedly.

With the scaled-down offensive scheme coming our way, the offensive line we have in tact (and bringing back Damien Woody may happen), the defense takes top priority and either rushing the passer or covering receivers are both lacking to say the least. We will lump these together as the Lions will take the best player available, regardless of defensive position. And with an array of possibilities, we can all assume that if these players fall into later rounds, the team would certainly select them lower as well. Possible picks are in random order.

Cornerbacks

This is where most mock drafts agree Detroit needs most. And we can agree. This is the have and have not scenario. IF the Lions had a pass rush, the corners wouldn't have to cover as long. On the flip side, if the Lions had better coverage, the line may get to the quarterback more often. I like A few players here and each would be a major upgrade over the players the team has now. Let's face it, the team could use as many picks at this position as possible, especially with who is available in free agency. I like the availability here and a corner with return skills would be a bonus as the Lions cannot continue with Aveion Cason returning kicks and Troy Edwards on punts.

Possibilities: Michael Jenkins, 5-11, 4.40, South Florida, Aqib Talib, 6-1, 4.50, Kansas, Tracy Porter, 5-11, 4.37, Indiana, Leodis McKelvin, 5-11, 190, 4.45, Troy, Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie, 6-1, 185, 4.44, Tenn. St., Justin King, 5-11, 186, 4.35, Penn St., Antoine Cason, 6-0, 182, 4.54, Arizona, Jake Ikegwuonu, 6-0, 200, 4.45, Wisconsin

Defensive Lineman

Although it isn't out of the realm of possibility that the club trades up ( or down), for now we will have them staying put and selecting from their 15th slot. One rumor I have read is the Miami Dolphins trading the Lions DE Jason Taylor for the pick, so anything is possible.

It would more than likely take a trade up to garner one of the elite pass rushers and the defensive line for the Lions could be without Shaun Rogers, who has rumored to be out the door in Detroit, but things have quieted down and he may even get another chance. The simple fact is that the Lions have failed here, but have the serviceable Dewayne White and Jared DeVries. More is needed without question and without knowing who drops and who rises, lets go with all avenues, even if it is wishful thinking.

Possibilities: Vernon Ghoulston, 6-4, 260, 4.65, Ohio St., Derrick Harvey, 6-4, 252, 4.72, Florida, Calais Campbell, 6-7, 282, 4.82, Miami, Lawrence Jackson, 6-5, 260, 4.90, USC, Quentin Groves, 6-4, 255, 4.55, Auburn, Chris Ellis, 6-5, 260, 4.70, Va. Tech, Cliff Averil, 6-3, 250, 4.75, Purdue

Linebackers

Not necessarily as paramount a need as the other two positions, but nevertheless, were someone to catch their eye, it could certainly happen. I for one have never been a Paris Lenon fan and with the unknown status of both Boss Bailey and Teddy Lehman, the Lions will more than likely not sit tight and select a linebacker that can make an instant impact. There are some interesting names here and although we all have an opinion, as do the many of those who do mock drafts, we can only speculate and we are looking at who may be there. Any team can pull a surprise pick like Detroit did with Ernie Sims, who was taken at #9.

Possibilities: Dan Connor, 6-1, 232, 4.65, Penn St., Keith Rivers, 6-3, 230, 4.55, USC, Ali Highsmith, 6-0, 225, 4.55, LSU, Shawn Crable, 6-4, 245, 4.65, Michigan, Beau Bell, 6-2, 245, 4.75, UNLV, Curtis Lofton, 6-0, 240, 4.72, Oklahoma, Phillip Wheeler, 6-1, 230, 4.65, Ga. Tech, Jerod Mayo, 6-1, 235, 4.67, Tennessee, J Lehman, 6-2, 245, 4.75, Illinois

Offensive Lineman

This is still a real possibility as who knows what Millen will do. That being said, a first round draft choice on anything but an offensive lineman would be very much a surprise. However, I have seen a couple mocks where the Lions select a running back, and again, it would depend on who is available and must be an IMPACT player. If not defensive help, it should be an offensive lineman.

Possibilities: Sam Baker, OT, 6-5, 308, 5.20, USC, Ryan Clady, OT, 6-5, 320, 5.20, Boise St., Jeff Otah, OT, 6-6, 340, 5.40, Pitt, Gosder Cherilus, OT, 6-6, 320, 5.25, Boston College, Jordan Grimes, OG, 6-3, 340, 5.30, Purdue, Adam Kraus, OG, 6-5, 305, 5.30, Michigan

Skill Positions

And I say that with the utmost respect, as those players listed are certainly skilled, but the term isn't mine so lets go with it. There are some intriguing players that could fall to the Lions at 15 and arguments could be made. The health of Kevin Jones and the free agency status of T.J. Duckett make the running back position a question, though probably one answered in the second day of the draft.

A play-making, difference-making tight end may be tempting and of course the quarterback situation is Jon Kitna and some question marks, with Kitna being one himself at his age. Again, some of these names may certainly drift down out of the first round and it is likely an offensive player would be certainly after round one.

Possibilities: Rashard Mendenhall, RB, 5-11, 225, 4.48, Illinois, Felix Jones, RB, 6-0, 227, 4.40, Arkansas, Jonathan Stewart, RB, 5-10, 235, 4.40, Oregon, Chris Johnson, RB, 5-11, 200, 4.35, E. Carolina, Jamaal Charles, RB, 6-0, 200, 4.40, Texas, Ray Rice, RB, 5-9, 200, 4.45, Rutgers, Steve Slaton, RB, 5-9, 195, 4.52, West Va., Mike Hart, RB, 5-9, 205, 4.55, Michigan, Kevin Smith, RB, 6-1, 212, 4.52, Central Florida, Martellus Bennett, TE, 6-7, 255, 4.80, Texas A & M, Fred Davis, TE, 6-4, 250, 4.80, USC, Martin Rucker, TE, 6-5, 250, 4.70, Missouri, Kellen Davis, TE, 6-6, 260, 4.75, Michigan St.

Of course it doesn't make it anyone right or wrong as this draft thing is a crap shoot. You can have every selection right and the player may not make it in the league. Its the best way to build a team and you have to excel at it to have a solid foundation. Those of us Lion fans have been excited after a lot of drafts thinking they have done a great job. Charles Rogers was highly touted, as was Joey Harrington and the draft experts on ESPN applauded these picks. We know what happened so the point is made.

The picks passed on can be just as pivotal. Taking Terry Fair instead of Randy Moss? Charlie Batch in place of Brian Griese? Kalimba Edwards instead of Clinton Portis? Its why the coaches and front office personnel make the big bucks, but there are times when us of the arm-chair persuasion can be just as dead on as they are. Or just as wrong.