When the Detroit Lions hired Jim Caldwell a year ago, he said over and over again that his goal was to win now. His bosses -- general manager Martin Mayhew and team president Tom Lewand -- echoed the same thoughts.

The Lions made smart free agent moves to help facilitate this by signing wide receiver Golden Tate, safety James Ihedigbo and defensive linemen Darryl Tapp and George Johnson. All four ended up making big contributions to Detroit this season. That was good.

Then there’s the 2014 draft -- revisited here. Using a win-now metric, the results are pretty ugly.

First round

The pick: Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina (10th)

Was this a need-based pick at the time?: Not really. Injuries during the season turned it into one.

How much did he contribute?: Ebron played in 13 games, catching 25 passes for 248 yards and a touchdown. Drafted as a player who could create a mismatch, his longest reception was 22 yards.

Is there a future there?: Yes. Tight ends take time to develop, and Ebron has the physical skills to turn into the tight end the Lions want. He was used as a short yardage player this season, but that will have to change in 2015.

In a win-now mode, was this a good pick?: No. Considering four of the seven players taken after him (receiver Odell Beckham Jr., defensive tackle Aaron Donald, guard Zack Martin and linebacker C.J. Mosley) made the Pro Bowl, any of those players could have provided more production. Donald or Beckham should have been the pick here.

Second round

The pick: Kyle Van Noy, LB, BYU (40th)

Was this a need-based pick at the time?: Yes, the Lions were looking for an upgrade at SAM linebacker.

How much did he contribute?: Not much. He missed half the season due to injury and made four tackles in the final eight games.

Is there a future here?: It’s tough to rule him out because he was so far behind due to injury, but he didn’t show much in his limited work. There is potential there, though.

In a win-now mode, was this a good pick?: No. The Lions could have upgraded at receiver with Jordan Matthews, Jarvis Landry or Paul Richardson. If the Lions had not drafted Ebron, Jace Amaro was still on the board. This is somewhat unfair due to Van Noy’s injury, though.

Third round

The pick: Travis Swanson, OL, Arkansas (76th)

Was this a need-based pick at the time?: Yes. The Lions needed line depth now and to groom a future starter.

How much did he contribute?: He started four games at right guard and one at center. He did well in those stints.

Is there a future here?: Yes. He’s likely the team’s starting center or left guard in 2015.

In a win-now mode, was this a good pick?: Yes. This was Detroit’s best pick of the draft and the Lions have gotten starters out of their past three third-round picks (Swanson, Larry Warford, Bill Bentley).

Fourth round

The picks: Nevin Lawson, CB, Utah State (133rd); Larry Webster, DE, Bloomsburg (136th)

Were these need-based picks at the time?: At corner, yes. At defensive end, not as much.

How much did they contribute?: Lawson was on his way to a nickel corner role until he needed season-ending foot surgery. Webster didn’t play this year.

Is there a future here?: The coaches are high on Webster, who was a developmental pick from the start. Lawson showed promise in a very short stint.

In a win-now mode, were these good picks?: Lawson was fine, albeit injured, although Detroit could have gone corner earlier. Aaron Lynch would have been a better pick than Webster.

Fifth round

The pick: Caraun Reid, DT, Princeton (158th)

Was this a need-based pick at the time?: Yes. The Lions needed at least a rotational defensive tackle with their top three tackles entering free agency in 2015.

How much did he contribute?: He played sparingly in 12 games, making two tackles. He was barely used on special teams, where he was good at Princeton.

Is there a future here?: The Lions have to hope so since they might have to retool the interior of the defensive line in the offseason.

In a win-now mode, was this a good pick?: This late, sure. He made some contributions this season.

Sixth round:

The pick: TJ Jones, WR, Notre Dame (189th)

Was this a need-based pick at the time?: Yes. The Lions needed to bring in a young receiver to compete.

How much did he contribute?: Not at all. He was on the PUP list all year.

Is there a future here?: Tough to say because Jones barely practiced.

In a win-now mode, was this a good pick?: No. Jones was never healthy.

Seventh round

The pick: Nate Freese, K, Boston College (229th)

Was this a need-based pick at the time?: Yes.

How much did he contribute?: He won the job, made 3 of 7 field goals and was cut after three weeks.

Is there a future here?: Not with the Lions.

In a win-now mode, was this a good pick?: Nope. Detroit could have taken a chance on anyone else, including offensive tackle Seantrel Henderson.