Mock Draft Round Up #9

Walterfootball Charlie (5. DT Derrick Brown:  Detroit's defense has been a massive disappointment this season. A'Shawn Robinson and Mike Daniels are entering free agency and may not be re-signed. Here's a versatile defender who could dominate between Snacks Harrison and Trey Flowers.  Brown has 50 tackles with four sacks, four passes batted and two forced fumbles in 2019. Against Oregon and Texas A&M, he was very disruptive and made a lot of superb plays that showed off his tremendous skill set.  Brown totaled 48 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 10.5 tackles for a loss and one forced fumble in 2018. Teams sent consistent double teams at him, but he still managed to stuff runs and cause disruption. Brown also has the quickness to fire into the backfield and pressure the quarterback from the interior. The 6-foot-5, 316-pounder contains a ton of upside and is just scratching the surface of what he is capable of doing.  Brown (6-5, 316) had an impressive 2017 season, playing well down the stretch when Auburn made a run into the SEC Championship. He totaled 56 tackles with 3.5 sacks, nine tackles for a loss, one pass broken up and two forced fumbles on the year.  35.  Solomon Kindley, OG, Georgia: The Lions could use more talent on their offensive line. Here's an upgrade at left guard.  Kindley is having an excellent 2019 season and has a lot of buzz in the scouting community. Team sources rave about Kindley (6-4, 335), and he could end up being a special guard prospect. Kindley is a big blocker with a thick build, but area scouts are raving about the way Kindley can move and feel his movement skills alone could him a starter in the NFL. On top of Kindley being an easy mover in a big body, he has nastiness to him and really gets after defensive players. Kindley helped pave the way for D'Andre Swift and Elijah Holyfield as Georgia's starting left guard in 2018. He broke into the starting lineup as a redshirt freshman in 2017 and blocked well to help Georgia reach the National Championship. Kindley could be a riser throughout the 2020 NFL Draft process.  69.  RB Najee Harris:  The Lions could use another running back in case Kerryon Johnson gets hurt again.  In 2019, Harris has averaged 5.9 yards per carry for 1,088 yards with 11 touchdowns. He has 27 receptions for 304 yards and seen scores as a receiver. Harris has flashed at times, but some scouts don't feel Harris is the same caliber as other recent Alabama running backs like Josh Jacobs, Damien Harris or Derrick Henry.  Harris (6-2, 230) is a big back who has some quickness and athleticism for the NFL. Over the past few seasons, he has not run to his size and has looked to bounce too many carries to the outside rather than using his power to run behind his pads in a physical manner. Lately and especially against LSU and Mississippi State, Harris has been running aggressively downhill with decisiveness. His tape from the back half of the 2019 season will help his draft grade and definitely makes him look like a better pro prospect compared to how he performed at the beginning of the season.) (12-27-19):  http://walterfootball.com/draft2020charlie.php

CBS Josh Edwards (3. DE AJ Epenesa:  Epenesa is a gifted pass rusher. The Lions added Trey Flowers a year ago but he needs a running mate on the other side. NFC North offenses will have to fear the Flowers-Epenesa tandem.) (12-26-19):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2020-nfl-mock-draft-washington-snatches-chase-young-from-new-york-chargers-replace-rivers/

Walterfootball (3.  Detroit Lions - CB Jeff Okudah:  Darius Slay is a terrific cornerback, but the rest of Detroit's secondary has been horrible this season. They've needed an upgrade across from Slay for quite a while.  Jeff Okudah is a big, athletic, speedy cornerback with immense upside.  35. RB Najee Harris:  Kerryon Johnson hasn't been able to stay healthy, so I wonder if the Lions would be willing to spend a second-day pick on a running back to complement him.  Najee Harris was one of the top recruits in the country in 2017, and he showed off his talents as a freshman. He's been tremendous again this season.  67. LB Dylan Moses: Matt Patricia needs a centerpiece for his defense, as the Lions have struggled to cover in space for quite a while.  Dylan Moses, a former five-star recruit, missed a chunk of his freshman campaign, but was very productive as a sophomore. Unfortunately, Moses tore his ACL early in 2019.) (12-25-19):  https://walterfootball.com/draft2020.php

Draftwire (5. Detroit Lions - DT Derrick Brown:  This defense needs a dominant, disruptive force in the trenches to build around, whether that’s on the edge or along the interior. In this scenario, Brown is the best combination of value, need and fit. He’s got rare athleticism for his size, and all the strength and power you’d expect. 38. Detroit Lions - DE  Terrell Lewis.) (12-25-19):  https://draftwire.usatoday.com/2019/12/25/2020-nfl-mock-draft-christmas-2-rounds-joe-burrow-chase-young-tua-tagovailoa/

CBS Chris Trapasso (3.  CB Jeff Okudah:  The Lions clearly needs loads of work personnel-wise (and maybe coach-wise?), but the biggest issues are on the defensive side. Okudah is a pretty easy pick here for Detroit, as he's a long, twitchy, ball-hawking outside corner.) (12-25-19):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2020-nfl-mock-draft-patriots-draft-justin-herbert-jordan-love-goes-in-top-10-to-chargers/

Draft Tek (3. DT Derrick Brown:  Have you heard about the Open Letter to the Fans from Lions' Owner Martha Ford? If not, you can check it out here. In summary, Mrs. Ford and her daughter, Sheila Ford Hamp, penned a letter to the Lions' faithful assuring them that they understand the frustration, are aiming towards building a winner, believe in stability of the front office, and that Bob Quinn and Matt Patricia are getting one more season to turn this ship around. In a sense, the letter is an attempt to explain the disappointing season and the decision to bring back a duo that has regressed the Lions' record by 9 games in 2 seasons since Caldwell was fired, where he finished with a 9-7 record in 2017 (Patricia 6-10 in 2018, a 3-game regression).  The letter cites injuries to "our best players" despite aforementioning that injuries "happen in the NFL and are not an excuse", uses the word "competitive" on 3 different occasions in 5 paragraphs, and ever-so-eloquently finishes the letter discussing season ticket prices for the 2020 season. Martha, this isn't high school football. Having the competitive spirit is a requirement at this high of a level. The inclusion of ticket prices seeing a reduction or staying the same just feels ...off. It has no place in this letter discussing the decision to keep the GM and Head Coach. Instead, it comes off as an apology, whereas Lions' fans don't want discounted tickets, we want a winner. We want to know what the plan entails, the nitty-gritty details. Additionally, I think we can all find some middle ground about the injuries; it's hard to win without your best players on the field. However, the Steelers this season are without arguably their "best players" and are still in a playoff hunt.  This decision should be terrifying to non-believers of Quinn and Patricia. With the Lions projected to have at least $47 million in cap space this offseason along with a top-5 draft selection, the Fords have given the keys to Quinn-Patricia to basically, in a sense, dictate the Lions' future both monetarily and level of talent on the roster. Undoubtedly, it will be interesting to see just exactly what they will do now that they're under the proverbial gun, but on the other side of this coin is something equally disheartening. If they botch this, it could set the organization back even more. - Doug Hyde, Lions Analyst.  35. DE Julian Okwara. 67. ILB Malik Harrison  99. LB Chazz Surratt  131.  S K'Von Wallace.  154. WR Aaron Fuller. 162. QB Jordan Love) (12-24-19):   https://www.drafttek.com/2020-NFL-Mock-Draft/2020-NFL-Mock-Draft-Round-1.asp

CBS Ryan Wilson (3. DT Derrick Brown:  GM Bob Quinn and coach Matt Patricia are expected back in 2020 and one of the first orders of business will be shoring up the defensive line, which ranks 24th against the run and 31st in getting after the quarterback. Brown is not only the best D-lineman in this class, he's one of the best players in this class.) (12-24-19):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2020-nfl-mock-draft-raiders-take-strong-armed-qb-cowboys-get-best-wr-in-class-dolphins-still-wait-for-tua/

PFF Mock Draft (3. CB JEFFREY OKUDAH, OHIO STATE:  Okudah isn't as much of a sure thing as Young, but he similarly checks pretty much every box you want to see at the position. Okudah hasn't allowed 50 or more yards in any single game this season.) (12-24-19):   https://www.pff.com/news/draft-pff-2020-nfl-mock-draft-chase-young-lands-in-washington-with-the-second-pick

Foxsports (3. Detroit Lions — Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn (7) (2019 season stats: 4.0 sacks, 49 total tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 4 passes defended):  The Lions are second to last in the NFL in sacks despite adding Trey Flowers in free agency. There are needs in the secondary, but the pass rush has been woeful, and the run defense just pedestrian. Brown, Flowers and Snacks Harrison is a formidable front that is needed when you see Aaron Jones and Dalvin Cook twice a year.) (12-24-19):  https://www.foxsports.com/nfl/gallery/nfl-mock-draft-2020-chase-young-joe-burrow-tua-tagovailoa-draft-order-120719

Sporting News (3. DE Chase Young:  Young qualifies as a better prospect than recent Ohio State NFL studs Joey Bosa and Nick Bosa. Matt Patricia and Bob Quinn would jump at the chance to get this cornerstone talent for the team's defensive rebuild. Young (6-5, 265 pounds) is a game-changing disruptor. He has 16.5 sacks in only 11 games as a junior. He's the clear pick for a team that doesn't need a QB or a WR.). (12-23-19):   https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/nfl-mock-draft-2020-giants-redskins-bengals-dolphins/12oemm21zwyjg15txow2ol9hg8

The Big lead Ryan Phillips (5. Detroit Lions: Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State:  Detroit's secondary is a mess and this is a spot where they could land a star at cornerback. Okudah is the best corner in the country by a considerable margin. He has the upside of a shutdown guy, which is exactly what the Lions need.) (12-17-19):  https://www.thebiglead.com/posts/nfl-mock-draft-2020-joe-burrow-chase-young-01dv6bsjtpnz

ESPN's McShay Mock Draft 1 (5. CB Jeff Okudah) (12-16-19):   https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2019/12/17/first-mock-draft-espns-todd-mcshay-has-lions-taking-cornerback/2673675001/

SI Mock Draft (5. CB Jeff Okudah:  Okudah is a top-five prospect with the size (6' 1", 200), fluidity and athleticism to develop into a true shutdown corner at the next level. Not only would he give Detroit an upgrade opposite Darius Slay, but Slay is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2020 season.) (12-11-19):  https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/12/11/nfl-mock-draft-2020-jeffrey-okudah-jerry-jeudy

Draftcountdown (6. CB Jeff Odukah:  Considering they have one of the leagues worst pass defenses the Lions would be fortunate to find Okudah still on the board at this point. A unanimous five-star recruit coming out of high school, Okudah only had one career start entering his junior season due to the embarrassment of riches the Buckeyes have had at the cornerback position in recent years. Despite that modest experience Okudah was projected to be a Top 10 pick based mostly on potential. Not only did Okudah live up to those lofty expectations, he surpassed them. A big, fast and athletic cover guy, the physical tools were never in doubt with Okudah. Scouts wanted to see him make more plays in the secondary though and Okudah answered those questions in emphatic fashion. Okudah is arguably the first true shutdown corner to come along since Jalen Ramsey and is a better pro prospect than former teammates Marshon Lattimore (#11 overall in 2017) or Denzel Ward (#4 overall in 2018).) (12-4-19):   http://draftcountdown.com/mock-draft/2020-mock-draft/round-1-2020-mock-draft-1/

Yahoo Eric Edholm (6. DE A.J. Epenesa:  This might feel a skosh early to some, but Epenesa has been on fire of late and is starting to resemble the game-wrecking defender many thought he would be at the start of the season. And besides, doesn’t he look like a Lions defender? That is, of course, if GM Bob Quinn and head coach Matt Patricia are afforded a third year together in Detroit. A top wide receiver also could be an option here.) (12-4-19):  https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-draft-2020-mock-lands-record-seven-bama-players-including-tua-in-round-1-144935782.html

Tony Pauline (11. Detroit Lions: Isaiah Simmons, OLB, Clemson:  Simmons is the off the ball linebacker the Lions need. He brings great athleticism and ball skills, something he showed as a redshirt freshman when he lined up at safety. Simmons will be a top 20 pick if he enters the draft, something I expect he will do if Clemson makes a serious push towards the championship game.) (11-21-19):   https://www.profootballnetwork.com/tony-pauline-2020-nfl-mock-draft-v1/

Round 1 Pick (7 CB, 5 DT, 3 DE, 1 LB, 1 OT):

7 CB Jeff Okudah
5 DT Derrick Brown
1 DE A.J. Epenesa
1 LB Isaiah Simmons
1 OT Andrew Thomas
1 DE Chase Young

Round 2 Pick (1 DE, 1 RB, 1 OG, 1 RB):

1 DE Julian Okwara
1 OG Solomon Kindley
1 DE Terrell Lewis
1 RB Najee Harris

Round 3 (2 LB, 1 RB):

1 ILB Malik Harrison
1 LB Dylan Moses
1 RB Najee Harris

Round 4 (1 LB):

1 LB Chase Surratt

Round 5 Pick 139 (1 S):

1 S K'Von Wallace

Round 5 Pick 157 (1 WR)

1 WR Aaron Fuller

Round 6 (1 QB):

1 QB Jordan Love