When analyzing the Lions’ draft it’s important to keep in mind the players they got in return for draft picks weeks before the draft started.

Martin Mayhew (Who knew he was such a deal maker?) worked out deals to bring in LG Rob Sims for a fifth- and seventh-round pick; a sixth-rounder and conditional next year for CB Chris Houston; a seventh-rounder for veteran backup QB Shaun Hill and last season traded a 2010 seventh-round pick for S Ko Simpson.

These players have to figure in to any draft analysis. There are three possible starters right there. Add DT Ndamukong Suh, RB Jahvid Best and CB Amari Spievey as possible starters and things are certainly looking up for the Lions. And that doesn’t include free agents DE Kyle Vanden Bosch and WR Nate Burleson.

How many games will they win next year? Let’s not rush to judgment so quickly. Saying they will win more really means nothing. Of course they will win more than two. We’ll have to see how everyone gels on both offense and defense before we jump into the guessing arena.

Still, so far you just can’t deny the Lions are a much better team than they were on March 4, the day before free agency started.