Titus Young was watching the draft with his family in Los Angeles when he heard his name called by Hall of Famer Barry Sanders. “With the 44th pick in the 2011 NFL draft, the Detroit Lions select Titus Young , wide receiver, Boise State.” It was an exciting moment for a player who grew up idolizing Sanders and it appears to be a near perfect situation for Young to start his pro career.
Later in the evening, Austin Pettis heard his name called as well when the St Louis Rams made him the 78th overall selection early in the 3rd round. Forever linked as two of the greatest receivers in Boise State history, the pair are now set to play with each of the 1st overall picks in the draft from the past two seasons.
Young will give Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford, the #1 overall pick in 2008 out of Georgia, a versatile deep threat as a slot receiver. He will team with one of the best receivers in the NFL, Calvin Joh! nson, and veteran Nate Burleson to give Stafford a solid receiving core as the Lions look to improve on their 6-10 record in 2010.
The Lions also drafted Auburn defensive tackle, and National Championship game star, Nick Fairley with their 1st round pick. In the 3rd round, Detroit tabbed Illinois running back Mikel Leshoure who should team with last year’s 1st round pick Jahvid Best and veteran Maurice Morris to give the Lions their most talent at the running back position since Sanders’ retirement after the 1998 season.
The depth in the running game should only help the transition for Young as he needs space in which to operate and utilize his speed and quickness. That he won’t have to come into a dire passing game situation and start immediately is another major benefit to his situation. Johnson, known in the league as ‘Megatron,’ and Burleson should take much of the pressure off of Young as he tries to establish himself in the NF! L.
Pettis will join a deep, if not mostly unheralded, re! ceiving corps with the Rams and will be catching passes from the 2009 #1 overall pick Sam Bradford from Oklahoma. Last season the Rams were primed to make the playoffs, leading a weak NFC West division until their final game when they lost to the Seattle Seahawks. Still, their 7-9 record was a dramatic improvement on their 1-15 mark the previous season and the future looks much brighter in St Louis than it did a couple seasons ago.
Bradford should only improve on a solid rookie campaign and now he’ll have an outstanding red zone target in Pettis. Leading receiver Donnie Avery missed the entire 2010 season and will be back to lead a young group of pass-catchers that were forced to step up last fall. Danny Amendola caught 85 passes a year ago but averaged only 8.1 yards per reception. Brandon Gibson stepped into the #2 receiver role and hauled in 53 passes. The only other players to record more than 35 receptions were running back Steven Jackson and tight end Dani! el Fells.
Titus Young – Former Broncos Young And Pettis Get The Call Draft’s 2nd Day – Boise Sports
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