1. 2008: Cliff Avril, DE, Purdue
Photo by Mike MorbeckThe 2008 draft class was pretty ho-hum but did provide us one of the better pass rushers we’ve ever seen come through Detroit.
Cliff Avril was the third of three third-round picks and the obvious standout of a draft class the included Gosder Cherilus, Andre Fluellen, Kevin Smith, Jordan Dizon, and Jerome Felton.
Avril spent five years in a Lions uniform and in that time posted 168 tackles, 39.5 sacks, and one touchdown. Avril left for Seattle in 2013 and won a Super Bowl ring with the Seahawks that same season.
