Detroit Lions general manager Martin Mayhew has a well known sweet tooth when it comes to receivers.

Whenever a receiver becomes available in free agency, the Lions are seemingly on a short list of interested teams. Mayhew has drafted four receivers since taking over in 2009. Ryan Broyles and former Lions receiver Titus Young were second-round draft picks the past two years.

Case closed, right?

Mayhew disagrees.

During a recent question-and-answer session with local media members at the NFL owners meetings, Mayhew turned the tables on reporters who believe he is addicted to receivers.

"Do you guys know what position we've drafted more than any other position in the last four drafts?" Mayhew asked.

Obviously, that was a leading question.

Mayhew had the answer.

"You know what's interesting? The past three drafts in a row, what have we drafted in the first round, the first pick? Lineman," Mayhew said. "When you talk about what people are projecting, and what people think we are going to draft this year, anybody saying lineman?"

Mayhew's answer was accurate, but a little broad.

Detroit did select defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, defensive tackle Nick Fairley and tackle Riley Reiff in the first-round of his past three drafts. So yes, he has gone after lineman early in the draft, but he is including both sides of the ball.

Mayhew has selected five defensive lineman since 2009 (Sammie Hill, Willie Young, Ronnell Lewis, Suh and Fairley). He has selected four offensive tackles (Lydon Murtha, Jason Fox, Johnny Culbreath and Reiff) during the same time span. If Mayhew is including all lineman, technically he has selected nine of them versus four receivers.

However, Mayhew has also drafted five defensive backs (Louis Delmas, Amari Spievey, Bill Bentley, Chris Greenwood and Jonte Green) since becoming general manager.

"How about this one?" Mayhew asked. "Last year, defensive line. Two first-round picks. One, 13th overall; one, second overall; seven million dollar defensive end, Kyle Vanden Bosch; five millions dollar defensive tackle, Corey Williams. Draft choices, Ronnell, Willie, Sammie. What do I love? What do I really love? Franchised Cliff (Avril)."

What should you take away from Mayhew's "riddle me this" session?

It might mean players like Alabama cornerback Dee Milliner and Georgia linebacker Jarvis Jones are not options with Detroit's first-round pick (fifth overall). That could mean players like Central Michigan tackle Eric Fisher, Texas A&M tackle Luke Joeckel, Oklahoma tackle Lane Johnson, or Alabama guard Chance Warmack, could potentially land in Detroit.

Mayhew's statements also suggest Florida defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd, Utah defensive tackle Star Lotulelei and BYU defensive end Ezekiel Ansah are possibly on his wish list.

What about the three college receivers who previously visited Allen Park?

"It's uncanny how these things happen," Mayhew said. "I gave Joann (Lenden, executive assistant) a list of 12 names and said bring in these guys in. They were all different positions. I said, 'Whatever the schedule is, however it works out, Pro Days, coaches are in or out, just bring those guys in.' Then I get an e-mail. The first one is a receiver. The second one is a receiver. The third one is a receiver. You guys probably thought I did that on purpose. Just a coincidence."

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