Mock Draft Round Up 14

Sporting News (3. CB Jeff Okudah:  Matt Patricia and Bob Quinn need to think about the best defensive player available, and drafting a cornerback to support Darius Slay, who's going into his age-29 season, isn't a bad route. 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.) (2-2-20):   https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/nfl-mock-draft-2020-patriots-raiders-giants-bills-bucs-chargers/1ofg086jh3g601ctjfqskdlubz

CBS Josh Edwards (3. LB Isaiah Simmons:  Detroit is an interesting team early in the draft. They could trade the pick to a team looking to trade up for a quarterback or could take the best player on their board. Simmons is a defensive chess piece that will elevate everyone's play.) (1-30-20):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2020-nfl-mock-draft-five-quarterbacks-taken-in-top-15-seattle-lands-biggest-steal-of-first-round/

NFL.com Lance Zielein Mock Draft (3. CB Jeff Okudah: Easy slot to fill with the Lions needing help opposite Darius Slay and Okudah possessing all the traits Matt Patricia could want.) (1-29-20):   http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001099512/article/lance-zierlein-nfl-mock-draft-10-raiders-pick-wr-jerry-jeudy

CBS Chris Trapasso (3.  CB Jeff Okudah:  The draft basically begins here, as I assume the Lions will field many calls about this selection for a club to jump the Miami Dolphins to get Tua Tagovailoa. Instead, they stay put and add the draft's premier man-to-man cornerback in Okudah.) (1-29-20):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2020-nfl-mock-draft-saints-replace-drew-brees-with-jordan-love-eagles-add-speed-to-receiver-group/

Draft Tek (3. CB Jeff Okudah:  The Detroit Lions seemingly have the world at their fingertips. They literally can do anything here at #3 overall. They could trade out of the pick and attempt at acquiring more picks later in the draft, which is a sure-fire way to put more bullets in the chamber for a roster that needs able and motivated bodies. They've even been rumored as to be taking a long hard look at Tua Tagovailoa, given Stafford's injury history. We can dream, though. Odds are, Detroit will either find a QB-hungry team and trade down, or stay put and take a stud defensive player like Okudah at #3. In a sense, they can do no wrong.  However, the arguments against taking Jeffrey Okudah here at #3 are legitimate as there hasn't been a cornerback taken higher than #5 in the last 8 years (Patrick Peterson in 2011), and we know just how good Peterson was coming out of LSU. In other words, Okudah must be of similar caliber in order to justify the selection, right?  Well, Okudah is no Peterson, as the Junior recorded 83 tackles in 3 seasons at Ohio State while also chipping in 3 interceptions. Peterson amassed 135 total tackles with 7 interceptions in the same number of seasons at LSU. I get it; comparing the two might not be fair, but seeing how Detroit is heavy in man-to-man scheme and how Patricia loves his tackling corners, the fit for the CB2 behind Slay might be too enticing to pass up. After all, Detroit's pass defense was the worst in all of football, allowing 284 yards per game through the air. Adding insult to injury, they were also ranked 30th in sacks (28). After investing a lot of coin already on the defensive line (acquiring Damon Harrison, Trey Flowers, and trading for Mike Daniels), it seems as though a wise move would be to add to the secondary, giving the big hog mollies time to get to the QB. - Doug Hyde, Lions Analyst   35. S Xavier McKinney:  It's not often you see a team elect to address its secondary in back-to-back rounds, but given at how atrocious the pass defense was for Detroit in 2019 (32nd), it's certainly, at this point, feasible. In all likelihood, Detroit will address the secondary via Free Agency with names on the market like Chris Harris, Rodney McLeod (played under new Lions' DC Cory Undlin), and Devin McCourty, just to name a few. The Lions' Safety group currently consists of Tracy Walker, Miles Killebrew, and Will Harris. Unless Detroit feels comfortable in Harris' improvement this offseason, I truly believe they will address the position.  According to Pro Football Focus, Xavier McKinney is truly a jack-of-all trades defender that excels in pass defense (91.2), stopping the run (84.7), and pass rushing (90.9). Pretty much he excels in all facets. In a way, he's the perfect player to fill in the void left by Quandre Diggs. As a comparison, both Diggs (220 total tackles in 4 years) and McKinney (175 total tackles in 3 years) were tackling machines in college. Not to mention, McKinney amassed 95 total tackles just this past season, the most on the Crimson Tide. He's also really good in coverage too and not just an "inside the box" defender, but the word is to never leave him on an island. It may be a stretch to consider two defensive backs in the early rounds of the draft, but can you honestly pass up on a player like McKinney given his production let alone this team's need in the secondary? - Doug Hyde, Lions Analyst  67. ILB Malik Harrison  99. DE Khalid Kareem. 131.  LB Dele Harding.  154.  WR James Proche. 162. OT Terence Steele) (1-29-20):   https://www.drafttek.com/2020-NFL-Mock-Draft/2020-NFL-Mock-Draft-Round-1.asp

The Big lead Ryan Phillips (3. Detroit Lions: Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State:  This will be a prime spot for a trade, but 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. A unanimous All-American in 2019, the 6-foot-1, 200-pound corner is an elite, lockdown corner a defense can build around.) (1-28-20):  https://www.thebiglead.com/posts/2020-nfl-mock-draft-joe-burrow-stays-at-no-1-top-10-sees-a-number-of-changes-01dzmejf4e6h

Rotoworld Thor Nystrom  (3. LB Isaiah Simmons:  I refuse to list Simmons as a linebacker – he’s a defensive weapon. You don’t draft him to play a traditional off-ball role. You draft him to move him all over the place, erase opponents, and tick off opposing offensive coordinators. The Lions are no doubt hoping Chase Young falls. If he doesn’t, Detroit really should take Miami’s Tua offer (or whoever has decided to buck up). Because the Lions don’t have one defensive need, they have a pride of them.  You wouldn’t argue with Jeffrey Okudah here, but Simmons’ ability to be deployed off-ball, on the edge, in the slot, and at safety feels like a better fit in a two-for-one special kind of way. ) (1-27-20):  https://www.rotoworld.com/article/mock-drafts/thor-nystrom-mock-draft-10

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 Noah Igbinoghene: Teez Tabor was a bust, and the Lions could use more corner talent to go with Darius Slay.  Team sources say that Igbinoghene (5-11, 200) impressed them during the 2019 season. He was the Tigers top cornerback and played well against a tough schedule. Igboghene totaled 42 tackles with seven passes broken up in 2019. In 2018, he had 45 tackles with an interception and 11 breakups. Evaluators say Igbinoghene is a better athlete than player at this point, but he has a good skill set with upside to develop.  67.  RB Josh Kelley:  The Lions could use another running back in case Kerryon Johnson gets hurt again.  Kelley (5-11, 214) had an impressive week of practice at the Senior Bowl, showing off the skill set to be a three-down starter. The talented back went under the radar in 2019, but multiple team sources have said Kelley impressed them at the Senior Bowl. In Mobile, he showed he has a good build to him with quickness, cutting ability, and natural instincts. Kelley also could contribute on third downs, so he could develop into a three-down starter in the NFL. He had a really good week in Mobile after averaging 4.6 yards per carry for 1,060 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2019. He had 11 receptions for 71 yards and a touchdown as well.  Kelley started out his college career at UC Davis, where he totaled 1,139 yards and seven touchdowns over two seasons. He sat out 2017 after transferring, and then had a breakout year for the Bruins in 2018, averaging 5.5 yards per carry for 1,243 yards and 12 touchdowns. Kelley took 27 receptions for 193 yards as well.) (1-27-20):  http://walterfootball.com/draft2020charlie.php

NFL.com Bucky Brooks Mock Draft (3. CB Jeff Okudah:  Detroit doesn't typically take corners on Day 1, but Okudah's game matches the Lions' scheme and fills their biggest defensive need.) (1-27-20):  http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001099246/article/bucky-brooks-2020-nfl-mock-draft-10-jordan-love-to-saints

CBS Ryan Wilson (3. DT Derrick Brown:  The Lions are coming off a three-win campaign and coach Matt Patricia needs to have a solid showing in 2020. Detroit has needs along the defensive line, and Brown is the top player at that position after a strong showing with the Tigers in '19.) (1-27-20):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2020-nfl-mock-draft-chargers-saints-replace-veteran-quarterbacks-with-senior-bowl-standouts/

Foxsports (3. LB Isaiah Simmons (2019 season stats: 8.0 sacks, 3 INTs, 8 passes defended, 104 total tackles):  The most versatile defender in the draft will probably have a huge impact on Trey Flowers and promising young LBs Jarrad Davis and Christian Jones.) (1-24-20):   https://www.foxsports.com/nfl/gallery/2020-nfl-mock-draft-joe-burrow-chase-young-tua-tagovailoa-number-one-pick-011520-2-012420

Mel Kiper Mock Draft (3. CB Jeff Okudah) (1-24-20):  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2020/01/detroit-lions-take-ohio-state-cb-jeff-okudah-in-mel-kipers-first-mock-draft.html

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. S Antoine Winfield:  The Lions should continue to bolster their defense. Two selections for the secondary make sense to begin the 2020 NFL Draft. Antoine Winfield is a ball-hawking play-maker. This Web site is so old that we used to write about his dad!  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.  99. QB James Morgan:  The Lions could stand to add a young quarterback to groom behind Matthew Stafford.  James Morgan has made a name for himself by being the best quarterback at the East-West Shrine, by far.) (1-22-20):  https://walterfootball.com/draft2020.php

NFL.com Dan Jeremiah (3. CB Jeff Okudah:  Detroit could easily auction off this slot to those teams in search of a quarterback. If the Lions stick and pick, Okudah would provide a much-needed upgrade in their secondary.) (1-21-20):  http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001097592/article/daniel-jeremiah-2020-nfl-mock-draft-10-four-qbs-in-top-15

SI Mock Draft (3. CB Jeff Okudah:  Positioned well to move back to acquire more draft capital, the Lions could potentially auction off this slot to the Dolphins to secure Tua Tagovailoa’s services or to a QB-needy team that wants to get in front of Miami. If they hold steady here, this pick could come down to Auburn’s Derrick Brown or Okudah, who led the Buckeyes with three interceptions and passes defended in 2019. The Lions are one of three defenses to record a league-low seven interceptions in 2019, and Darius Slay is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent after the ’20 season. Okudah has the size (6' 1", 200 pounds), fluidity and athleticism to develop into a lockdown corner.) (1-21-20):  https://www.si.com/nfl/2020/01/21/nfl-mock-draft-2020-justin-herbert-ceedee-lamb-jedrick-wills-jr

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).) (1-20-20):   http://draftcountdown.com/mock-draft/2020-mock-draft/round-1-2020-mock-draft-1/

O'hara's Mock Draft 1.0 (3. Cornerback Jeff Okudah, Ohio State:  It's a tough choice at this point between Okudah and Brown. Brown can provide a penetrating interior force that the Lions lacked on any level in 2019. The lack of that presence is one reason the Lions had only 28 sacks, their fewest since 26 in 2016 and second fewest in the last 10 seasons.Okudah is a walk-in starter opposite Darius Slay – assuming Slay is back with the Lions in 2019. And if he isn't, cornerback will be an even a more pressing need.) (1-20-20):  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/o-hara-s-mock-3-the-first-prediction

USA Today Middlehurst-Schwartz (3. Lions — Jeffrey Okudah, CB, Ohio State:  Tua Tagovailoa's entry into the draft creates an interesting dynamic at this slot, as a bidding war for a quarterback could benefit Detroit. Might some team offer a package similar to what the Jets conceded to the Colts in 2018 (three second-round picks) to move from No. 6 to No. 3? Okudah is hardly a consolation prize, however, as he's in a tier of his own at an all-important position.) (1-16-20):  https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/draft/2020/01/16/nfl-mock-draft-2020-joe-burrow-lsu-first-round/4479915002/

Yahoo Eric Edholm (3. CB Jeff Okudah:  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.) (1-15-20):  https://sports.yahoo.com/postbowl-season-nfl-mock-draft-four-q-bs-land-in-round-1-163246345.html

PFF Mock Draft (3. CB JEFFREY OKUDAH, OHIO STATE:  These top three picks are set in stone for any future GM mock until we start incorporating trades. Okudah passed his final collegiate test with flying colors against Clemson's pair of NFL wide receivers. He was targeted 10 times in the playoff semifinals and allowed only five catches for 47 yards while breaking up two passes. Put him across from Darius Slay, and watch your pass defense transform overnight.) (1-14-20):   https://www.pff.com/news/draft-pff-2020-nfl-mock-draft-national-champion-joe-burrow-cements-his-spot-as-first-overall-pick

FTW (3.  Jedrick Wills Jr., OT, Alabama:  General manager Bob Quinn and coach Matt Patricia should open up phone lines to see if anyone wants to trade up to leapfrog the Miami Dolphins and take Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. If no one bites, the Lions could address a number of positions, but let’s give Detroit a complement to tackle Taylor Decker. Wills can help Patricia with a run-first offense, while protecting Matthew Stafford, who was enjoying one of his best seasons before suffering an injury.) (1-14-20):  https://ftw.usatoday.com/2020/01/2020-nfl-mock-draft

Draftwire (3. Detroit Lions - CB Jeff Okudah:  This defense has needs at every level, so this pick is about getting the best value anywhere they can. Trading down would be ideal, likely for a team targeting a franchise quarterback, but Okudah is the most worthy candidate for this pick if they stay put. He’s the best of a corner class that could produce a handful of first-round picks.  38. Detroit Lions - DE  DT Raekwon Davis.  67. DE Jonathan Greenard.  99. RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire) (1-13-20):  https://draftwire.usatoday.com/2020/01/13/2020-nfl-mock-draft-updated-divisional-playoffs-4-rounds/

Tony Pauline (3. DT Derrick Brown:  This would be a major boost for the defensive line as Damon Harrison won’t last much longer and could possibly retire this offseason. Brown is a prospect I’ve gushed over the past two years and someone I graded as a top-12 pick a year ago before he decided to return to Auburn.  Presently listed third on my big board, Brown is a scheme versatile defender who can line up at multiple spots up front.) (1-13-20):   https://www.profootballnetwork.com/tony-pauline-pre-senior-bowl-nfl-mock-draft-raiders-saints-qb/

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/

Round 1 Pick (17 CB, 3 DT, 3 LB, 1 OT):

17 CB Jeff Okudah
3 DT Derrick Brown
3 LB Isaiah Simmons
1 OT Jedrick Wills

Round 2 Pick (1 DT, 2 S, 1 CB):

1 S Xavier McKinney
1 CB Noah Igbinoghene
1 DT Raekwon Davis
1 S Antoine Winfield

Round 3 (2 LB, 1 RB, 1 DE):

1 ILB Malik Harrison
1 LB Troy Dye
1 RB Josh Kelley
1 DE Jonathan Greenard

Round 4 (1 DE, 1 RB, 1 QB):

1 DE Khalid Kareem
1 RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire
1 QB James Morgan

Round 5 Pick 139 (1 LB):

1 LB Dele Harding

Round 5 Pick 157 (1 WR)

1 WR James Proche

Round 6 (1 OT):

1 OT Terence Steele