Mock Draft Round Up #11

Walterfootball Charlie (3. 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.  CB AJ Terrell: Teez Tabor was a bust, and the Lions could use more corner talent to go with Darius Slay.  Terrell (6-2, 190) has 29 tackles with two passes broken up and two interceptions in 2019. He has a good skill set and showed a lot of upside in his first season as a starter. As a sophomore, Terrell helped Clemson win a National Championship as the other starting outside corner with Trayvon Mullen. Terrell produced well for the Tigers in 2018 with 54 tackles, three passes broken up and three interceptions. Terrell also flashed as a freshman backup with an interception and seven breakups. He has a lot of talent and could rise as the 2020 NFL Draft approaches.  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.) (1-7-20):  http://walterfootball.com/draft2020charlie.php

CBS Josh Edwards (3. CB Jeff Okudah:  Okudah combines coverage skills with a commitment to supporting the run defense. He is a physical player that loves the game. Detroit continues to make changes to their secondary.) (1-9-20):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2020-nfl-mock-draft-patriots-find-next-rob-gronkowski-jacob-eason-slips-into-first-round/

CBS Chris Trapasso (3.  CB Jeff Okudah:  The Lions are another team that'll likely be fielding calls for a team looking to get ahead of the Dolphins to take a quarterback (presumably Tagovailoa), but Matt Patricia, in this scenario, stays put and drafts the best corner prospect in the class.) (1-8-20):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2020-nfl-mock-draft-panthers-begin-matt-rhule-era-with-a-new-quarterback-patriots-get-a-nice-surprise/

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 Jonathan Taylor:  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 Troy Dye: Matt Patricia needs a centerpiece for his defense, as the Lions have struggled to cover in space for quite a while.  Troy Dye is a very athletic linebacker with great coverage skills.) (1-8-20):  https://walterfootball.com/draft2020.php

Draft Tek (3. WR Jerry Jeudy:  With the Lions in win-now mode due to the mandate from Mrs. Ford, Quinn and Patricia don't have much time. The last few weeks we have mocked Jeffrey Okudah and Derrick Brown as potential pieces to fix the defense, but in a do-or-die season, they're going to need immediate impact; something that will help in the here-and-now. The defense is a mess and there's little debate the strength of the team was the offense, but taking Jeudy would provide that immediate impact to an already-strong unit. For a team that has around $47M to spend this offseason, it may be wise to use that money on experienced defensive players.   35. OT Trey Adams. 67. WR KJ Hamler  99. DE Bradlee Anae. 131.  LB Dele Harding.  154.  ILB Shaquille Quarterman. 162. CB Luq Barcoo) (1-7-20):   https://www.drafttek.com/2020-NFL-Mock-Draft/2020-NFL-Mock-Draft-Round-1.asp

Draftwire (3. Detroit Lions - CB Jeff Okudah:  This is the prime spot for a team to trade up for a quarterback, and I think they’d find a willing partner in the Lions, who have tons of needs to fill. If they stay here, Detroit has their pick of either a dominant interior force (Auburn’s Derrick Brown), or a blue-chip cover man in Okudah. They opt for the more premium position here. 38. Detroit Lions - DE  Terrell Lewis.  67. DT Justin Madubuike) (1-7-20):  https://draftwire.usatoday.com/2020/01/07/2020-nfl-mock-draft-wild-card-playoffs-3-rounds/

CBS Ryan Wilson (3. OT Jedrick Wills:  Taylor Decker anchors the left side but the Lions have issues at right tackle; Jedrick Wills solves that problem on Day 1, and would go a long way in keeping Matthew Stafford upright in 2020.) (1-7-20):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2020-nfl-mock-draft-tua-tagovailoa-gives-dolphins-franchise-qb-3-other-passers-go-in-round-1/

Sporting News (3. Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State:  The Lions must go for a top defensive prospect who fills a big need early, and cornerback is among the priorities for Matt Patricia and Bob Quinn. Darius Slay is 29 and can still be very impactful, but he needs help on the outside. Okudah, an elite ball hawk at 6-1, 200 pounds, has the build to handle receivers of all sizes. He is fluid and quick enough with great recovery skills in coverage to develop into a shutdown type, with his strengths showing up in press man.). (1-6-20):   https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/nfl-mock-draft-2020-tua-tagovailoa-dolphins-eagles-saints-patriots/bn5x1suc7s971o7qk15lcnl4q

USA Today Middlehurst-Schwartz (3. Lions — Jeffrey Okudah, CB, Ohio State: This might be where the intrigue truly begins. Coach Matt Patricia and general manager Bob Quinn are back for another year, and they'll have a wealth of options for upgrading a defense that ranked as the NFL's worst against the pass. Continuing Ohio State's pipeline of first-round cornerbacks, Okudah has been able to stick with almost every receiver he's faced. He'd be a particularly valuable addition if Detroit opts to trade Pro Bowl cornerback Darius Slay) (12-31-19):  https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/draft/2019/12/31/nfl-mock-draft-2020-joe-burrow-tua-tagovailoa/2778642001/

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.) (12-30-19):   https://www.pff.com/news/draft-pff-2020-nfl-mock-draft-chase-young-lands-in-washington-with-the-second-pick

Foxsports (3. Jeff Okudah:  It has to be a defensive playmaker for the Lions here. Okudah, an All-American, could team with Darius Slay to form a strong duo of CBs to go with slot corner Justin Coleman, who had a nice season.  I do have major concerns about the run defense in Detroit, too, but perhaps they can plug that hole in free agency or later in the draft.) (12-30-19):  https://www.foxsports.com/nfl/gallery/nfl-mock-draft-2020-chase-young-joe-burrow-tua-tagovailoa-draft-order-120719

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 (12 CB, 2 OT, 1 DT, 1 LB, 1 WR):

12 CB Jeff Okudah
1 DT Derrick Brown
1 LB Isaiah Simmons
1 OT Andrew Thomas
1 OT Jedrick Wills
1 WR Jerry Jeudy

Round 2 Pick (1 DE, 1 RB, 1 CB, 1 OT):

1 OT Trey Adams
1 CB AJ Terrell
1 DE Terrell Lewis
1 RB Jonathan Taylor

Round 3 (1 LB, 1 RB, 1 WR, 1 DT):

1 WR KJ Hamler
1 LB Troy Dye
1 RB Najee Harris
1 DT Justin Madubuike

Round 4 (1 DE):

1 DE Bradlee Anae

Round 5 Pick 139 (1 LB):

1 LB Dele Harding

Round 5 Pick 157 (1 LB)

1 ILB Shaquille Quarterman

Round 6 (1 CB):

1 CB Luq Barcoo