Ask any NFL general manager or scout, what he is looking for in the draft.

The word "playmaker'' would certainly rank in the top five of their replies.

That's why NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock loves the NFL's 2014 draft class. He called it the best and deepest draft in 10 years during a conference call on Tuesday.

"I think it’s a couple things,'' Mayock said. "One, is the playmakers at the top end of the draft. It’s not just a couple guys. There’s three offensive tackles that could go in top 10, there’s three quarterbacks that could go in top 10. Then you’ve got guys like (outside linebacker) Khalil Mack who’s a difference maker. The (Anthony) Barr kid from UCLA (outside linebacker), C.J. Mosley (inside linebacker) from Alabama. (Sammy) Watkins from Clemson is a tremendous wide receiver. We’re 10 or 11 or 12 players deep right there and we haven’t even talked about the safety from Louisville (Calvin Pryor) or the tight end from North Carolina (Eric Ebron). and I could go on and on. 

"There’s more quality at the top end of this draft than I’ve seen in a long time,'' Mayock said.

"Wide receiver and offensive tackle is particularly deep. (You) can go three rounds,  rounds deep this year and get a starting offensive tackle,'' Mayock said. “I think there’s pretty good corners three-four rounds deep.''

This is all good news for the Lions who have the 10th overall pick and a need at cornerback, wide receiver and safety.

(Follow @PaulaPasche on Twitter. Order her book,  “100 Things Lions Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die’’ here. It’s also available at bookstores.)