Three-year breakdown

How the Lions have done in the draft since 2008:

Total picks: 25

2010 starters: 10

2010 backups: 9

Other teams: 3

Out of NFL: 2

Injured reserve/PUP: 1

Look at it like this: The Lions have 10 players left on the roster from the eight drafts supervised by former general manager Matt Millen (2001-2008). There are no players on the roster from any draft from 2002-2006, an incredible drought.

But the two drafts supervised by general manager Martin Mayhew have yielded eight starters, one All-Pro (Ndamukong Suh), one franchise quarterback (Matthew Stafford) and of the 16 players drafted in those two years, 13 are contributing members of the team.

"The only way to be consistent over a long period of time is to be successful in the draft," coach Jim Schwartz said. "Our goal wasn't to turn this around, short-term. We want a team that can stand the test of time and the only way to do that is to draft well."

Best pick: Defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, 2010 (first round, second overall): Suh made an immediate impact with 10 sacks. He was named AP Rookie of the Year and became the first rookie tackle named to the All-Pro team since 1951.

Worst pick: Linebacker Jordon Dizon, 2008 (second round, 45th overall): This was a typical Millen pick. He fell in love with Dizon's intangibles (tough, relentless) and ignored his obvious physical limitations. He was too small to play in the middle and too slow to play on the outside.

2010 DRAFT PICKS

1 (2) Ndamukong Suh, DT: The AP Defensive Rookie of the Year had a Lions record 10 sacks and lived up to all expectations, and was voted to the Pro Bowl.

1 (30) Jahvid Best, RB: Showed flashes of brilliance early, but season was torpedoed by turf toe injuries. Lions are still counting on him to be their featured back in 2011.

3 (66) Amari Spievey, SS: Converted from cornerback late in training camp, developed quickly and became the starter in Week 7. Strong run-stopper but needs work on coverage.

4 (128) Jason Fox, OT: Developmental tackle, slowed by lingering knee pain. He got some work at guard, but he projects to be a left tackle.

7 (213) Willie Young, DE: Showed great promise in preseason, but off-field immaturity set him back. He's going to need an impressive camp to keep his job.

7 (255) Tim Toone, WR: Mr. Irrelevant injured his foot and spent season on the practice-squad injured list.

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