When news broke earlier today about the Lions sending Ernie Sims to Philadelphia as part of a three-team deal that netted Detroit tight end Tony Scheffler from Denver, I didn't know what to think.

My first thought was that Calvin Johnson is the only first-round pick left from the Matt Millen era, which is awful on a number of different levels.

My next thought was what does this mean going into this weekend's draft? I still believe Detroit will stay at number 2 overall and draft Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. But now the intrigue centers around what the Lions will do with the 34th overall pick - No. 2 in the second round.

Dealing Sims, who, in 59 career games, all with the Lions, recorded 420 tackles including 2.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and one interception, creates a huge hole at middle linebacker. There will be middle linebackers available early in the second round, including Penn State middle linebacker Sean Lee and Missouri outside linebacker Sean Witherspoon, who people think could be converted to a middle linebacker. If one of those guys is available at 34, that has to be the direction Detroit goes in. If not, GM Martin Mayhew will have some explaining to do.

As far as Scheffler goes, he's put up solid numbers so far in his young career. The Western Michigan grad, in four seasons, has totaled 138 catches for 1,896 yards and 14 touchdowns, all for the Broncos. He caught 31 passes for 416 yards and two TDs last year. Adding Scheffler gives Detroit the flexibility to run two-tight end sets with he and Pettigrew, which will allow second-year quarterback Matt Stafford to have two safety valves on the field. It also will help in the area of pass protection and run blocking.