On my way to lovely Indianapolis for the NFL's scouting combine, where I'll be reporting through the week. Festivities start in earnest tomorrow when offensive linemen, kickers, punters and the like make their way through the media room. It'll be good to catch up with Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long, by all accounts the best lineman available and a likely top-five pick.

A few other tackles project as mid-first-rounders two months before the draft, including Boise State's Ryan Clady, Vanderbilt's Chris Williams and USC's Sam Baker. The Lions could have interest in one to fill their vacant right tackle position, coach Rod Marinelli said Tuesday, but given the choice I still believe the team will go defense.

"You never want to go out and say this is just going to be a heavy draft on defense and then a really nice-looking offensive tackle is sitting there right in front of you," Marinelli said. "If that guy is an excellent player and we think he's got a chance to come in and maybe play early, then you have to take a shot at him."

In order, I think the Lions would prefer a cornerback or pass rusher with their No. 1 pick, 15th overall. Corner is the most glaring need considering the Lions have one experienced cover man currently under contract, Fernando Bryant, who's expected to be released. Stanley Wilson is a restricted free agent and will be back, but Keith Smith and Travis Fisher are both free agents. At defensive end, Dewayne White and Ikaika Alama-Francis would be your starters if the season opened today, but Alama-Francis can play defensive tackle in nickel situations and the Lions would like to add a speed rusher.

They won't overreach on anyone, but a couple names to stock watch this week are cornerbacks Aqib Talib, Leodis McKelvin and Mike Jenkins, and ends Phillip Merling, Vernon Gholston and Derrick Harvey.