Chris

Greenwood

The Raiders will receive picks Nos. 158 and 230 in return. Aggressive Lions GM Martin Mayhew has now traded up twice in the fifth round. A local star from Detroit, Greenwood flashed an impressive 4.42 forty and 43" vertical -- a number that would have finished second at the Combine -- during his pro day. An intriguing size-speed package, Greenwood will likely need to break in as a special teamer after coming from D-III Albion.

Cunningham was on Kansas City’s coaching staff when the Chiefs drafted Carr out of Grand Valley State. Like Carr, Greenwood is a big corner from a small school. Greenwood became the first player from D-III Albion College to be drafted since 1967. He’s an intriguing long-term project for the Lions.

Detroit was high on Green throughout the draft process and it sounds like he’ll enter a competition with No. 85 pick Dwight Bentley, No. 148 pick Chris Greenwood, and veteran Aaron Berry for a starting job. At 5'11/191, Green has 4.41 speed and is likely to end up contributing as no more than a dime back.

Greenwood has drawn comparisons ranging from Antonio Cromartie to Brandon Carr for his elite size-speed combination and playmaking ball skills. Less physical than Carr, though, Greenwood is going to need to improve his tackling to earn the trust of Detroit’s coaching staff. He should make the final 53.

Berry missed the final three games of 2011 after dislocating his shoulder, and underwent offseason surgery. “I knew I needed to put more weight on my upper body in order for me to play a whole season,” Berry said. Berry will compete with Jacob Lacey, third-round pick Dwight Bentley and perhaps even fifth-round pick Chris Greenwood to replace Eric Wright at right cornerback.

Greenwood wasn’t known to be hurt, but apparently “missed a lot of time in the offseason.” The Lions traded up to select Greenwood with the No. 148 pick, so his roster spot should be secure. However, missing the beginning of camp could leave Greenwood as a game-day inactive early in the season.

Coach Jim Schwartz offered no timetable for return. Greenwood has long-term promise as a long young corner with speed to match up against big, tall wide receivers, but he’s not going to make an early impact in Detroit’s secondary.

Greenwood is a raw fifth-round pick out of Albion College, so the Lions weren’t counting on him for much first-year impact anyway. He’s been slow to recover from a May surgery. Greenwood could be activated from reserve/PUP by Week 8. He’ll be out for the first six games, and the Lions have a Week 5 bye.

Greenwood suffered the injury during May OTAs, and missed minicamp as a result. He’ll begin training camp on the active/PUP list. Greenwood is unsure of when he’ll resume practicing. “I’m rehabbing now and running and jogging and hopefully I’ll be back sooner rather than later.” The injury should kill Greenwood’s chances of earning a starting job opposite Chris Houston.

It was an expected move. A fifth-round rookie out of small-school Albion College, Greenwood is still recovering from an operation he underwent in May. The Lions liked Greenwood enough to trade up to take him at No. 148, but he’s going to have a hard time making a rookie impact. He’s now ineligible until Week 8.