Grades and Analysis for Day 2 pick

Grades:

CBS (43. Kerryon Johnson, Grade: A
- GRADE ANAYLSIS: I love this pick. The Lions have their lead runner. He will be a big-time producer on the ground.  Draft Prospect Outlook:  Power back size with the ability to deploy vicious jump cuts to make defenders miss in the hole. Runs through tackles and almost always finishes runs hard. Doesn't have breakaway speed but is fast enough to beat linebackers around the corner. Surprisingly elusive for his size.): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/draft-tracker/

Lions get an A for drafting Auburn RB Johnson:  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2018/04/27/detroit-lions-kerryon-johnson/560189002/

Draft grades: B from Birkett, C+ from Monarrez (Birkett - Johnson:  Two running backs went in the first six picks of the second round, which left Johnson as the Lions’ most viable option to improve their league-worst running game. Rather than wait and risk losing him, Bob Quinn made the aggressive move to go up eight spots and take Johnson. A slasher as a runner, Johnson will play as part of the Lions’ backfield-by-committee this fall and perhaps take an even bigger role in 2019. He comes with a little bit of an injury history, but he was one of the more complete backs in this class and earned a similar grade from the Lions to Derrius Guice, who never was viewed as a culture fit in Detroit. A-minus):  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2018/04/28/detroit-lions-nfl-draft-picks-grades/561721002/

Walterfootball (Detroit Lions: Kerryon Johnson, RB, Auburn B+ Grade - Still no Derrius Guice? The Lions taking Kerryon Johnson makes more sense than Guice because of their scheme, plus he's a better fit for the type of player the Bill Belichick tree likes. Johnson will mesh well with Matthew Stafford, as he'll be a big weapon out of the backfield, catching all of the passes thrown at or behind the line of scrimmage, a staple of Detroit's offense. I'm not sure the Lions had to trade up for Johnson, but I like this pick):  http://walterfootball.com/nfldraftgrades2.php

PFW (43. Lions (from Patriots) — Auburn RB Kerryon Johnson — Grade: B+: Bob Quinn takes his biggest swing as Lions GM at solving the NFL's worst rushing attack — and he links up with old pal Bill Belichick in moving up eight spots and sending No. 117 to New England to do it. That's a decent amount to give up, but Johnson is one of the more underrated backs in this class, a really tough runner who gains every inch and matches the mold of first-rounder Frank Ragnow. It's clear Quinn and Matt Patricia are serious about adding some power to the offense.):  http://www.profootballweekly.com/lists/2018/04/27/09173036/index.xml?page=12

SI (43. Kerryon Johnson, Grade - B:  The Lions are determined to inject some life and consistency into what’s been a mostly nonexistent ground game. After taking Arkansas center Frank Ragnow in Round 1, they go with a power-running back in Round 2. Matthew Stafford is one of the NFL’s most respected QBs, and with a ground game to balance the offense, he has a chance to now become a line-of-scrimmage-audibling field general that outsiders can finally appreciate.  Scouting Report: A big back who moves with exceptional body control, Johnson carried a huge workload for Auburn last season. He can grind out yards between the tackles, and runs with that Le’Veon Bell-like patience. He rolled up 104 yards on 30 carries with an injured shoulder in the Iron Bowl upset of Alabama, and offers an early-down workhorse with a chance to develop in as a receiver.): https://www.si.com/draft/nfl/2018/draft-tracker?round=2

Draftwire (43. Detroit Lions (from SF via NE) | Kerryon Johnson | RB | Auburn | B:  Another SEC running back off the board ahead of LSU’s Derrius Guice, which continues to surprise me (barring any confirmation of true off-field issues). The Lions need a physical, punishing runner to help balance this offense, and that’s exactly what they get here. Despite his leaner frame, Johnson delivers a punch and doesn’t shy away from contact. He’s the workhorse this offense needs, but Guice would have been a better value.):  https://draftwire.usatoday.com/2018/04/28/2018-nfl-draft-grading-every-pick-from-day-2/2/

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NFL Chad Reuter (Day 1 Grade - A, Day 2 Grade - C, Overall Grade - B+:  The skinny: Detroit got stronger in the middle by picking Ragnow, who could play guard for now, or move to center if needed. Either way, he'll move the line of scrimmage. Matthew Stafford feels better already. The Lions were so interested in Johnson that they gave up a fourth-round pick to move up eight spots. That's marginal value, though I expect Johnson will be a good back. Walker was picked two rounds earlier than expected, but he has the skills to become a starter in the league.):  http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000929730/article/2018-nfl-draft-quicksnap-grades-for-every-team-through-day-2

Articles:

ESPN's Mel Kiper says Lions pick Kerryon Johnson can 'be a workhorse':  http://www.mlive.com/sports/2018/04/espns_mel_kiper_says_lions_pic.html#incart_river_mobile_index

Mayock's Analysis (43. Kerryon Johnson, RB, Detroit Lions:  Came back this year with a vengeance. He's a lateral, jump-cut runner and I love how he finishes north-south.):  http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000929490/article/mike-mayocks-pickbypick-draft-analysis-for-rounds-23-results

NFL draft TV reaction: RB Johnson a 'workhorse':   https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2018/04/27/detroit-lions-draft-tv-reaction-kerryon-johnson/560333002/

Pat Caputo - My thoughts on Lions moving up and taking Kerryon Johnson in 2nd round of NFL Draft:   http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20180427/pat-caputo-my-thoughts-on-lions-moving-up-and-taking-kerryon-johnson-in-2nd-round-of-nfl-draft

Draftwire (43. Detroit Lions (from SF via NE) | Kerryon Johnson | RB | Auburn
Another SEC running back off the board, but not the one I expected. With Guice still on the board, the Lions trade up for another physical runner in Johnson, who powered the Tigers to an SEC West title.): https://draftwire.usatoday.com/2018/04/26/2018-nfl-draft-live-tracker-instant-analysis-for-every-pick/

Sporting News (The Lions get a back with a good combination of power and explosiveness with the hopes he can be a three-down option. With LeGarrette Blount adding to Ameer Abdullah and Theo Riddick, Johnson has a good chance to trump all three for heavy touches.):  http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/draft/2018/draft-results/round/2

USA Today (43. Lions (from 49ers via Patriots) —Kerryon Johnson, RB, Auburn: New coach Matt Patricia (and GM Bob Quinn) deal with old buddy Bill Belichick for the first time in this draft. And after a rousing speech from former Detroit WR Nate Burleson, the Lions take Johnson to address a ground attack that finished last in 2017, 2015 and hasn't been better than 28th since 2013. Johnson ran for 18 TDs and nearly 1,400 yards against SEC competition, but his 6-foot, 213-pound frame is reason for concern with a team that's struggled to keep its backs healthy in recent years.): https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/draft/2018/04/27/nfl-draft-live-tracker-2018-pick-analysis-round-2-3/559016002/

Detroit News (11 (43). Detroit (from New England): Kerryon Johnson, RB, Auburn

The Lions have their running back, and it isn't Derrius Guice. The Lions traded up with the Patriots (of course) to select Johnson (5'11", 213 pounds). Johnson rushed for nearly 1,400 yards and 18 touchdowns for the Tigers in 2017.  There will be some questions why the Lions didn't take Guice, but Johnson is now the sixth tailback off the board before Guice, and the Lions paid to get him, sending the 51st overall pick (obviously) and their fourth round selection (117th overall) to the Patriots.):  https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/2018/04/27/lives-updates-lions-fans-set-day-2-nfl-draft/34325841/

PFF (Lions backs struggled to break tackles last season, and Kerryon Johnson forced 50 on 285 carries last year. He also showed a propensity for the big play, as he had 16 runs of 15-plus yards for Auburn in 2017. Running back was a big need for the Lions coming into the draft, thus with so many off the board already at this point it should be no surprise to see them trade up to get their guy. They traded the No. 51 and 117 picks for the 43rd overall pick.): https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/2018-nfl-draft-live-blog

ESPN:  http://www.espn.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/33713/detroit-lions-2018-draft-analysis-for-every-selection

Draftwire:  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2018/04/27/analysis-of-detroit-lions-trade-with-patriots-for-kerryon-johnson/