Late Evening Lions Links for Friday 4-24-20

Jonah Jackson:

Lions trade up for Ohio State OG Jonah Jackson at No. 75 in NFL draft:  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2020/04/24/jonah-jackson-detroit-lions-nfl-draft-2020/3019229001/

New Lions OL Jonah Jackson is ultimate underdog: He played at Rutgers:  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2020/04/24/detroit-lions-nfl-draft-2020-jonah-jackson-ohio-state-football/3018199001/

Lions trade up, fill another need by taking guard Jonah Jackson:  https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2020/04/24/detroit-lions-trade-up-fill-another-need-taking-guard-jonah-jackson/3025361001/

How Jonah Jackson shakes up the Lions' offensive line depth chart:  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2020/04/24/how-jonah-jackson-shakes-up-the-lions-offensive-line-depth-chart/

Lions trade up, select OG Jonah Jackson with the 75th pick in the third round:  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2020/04/24/lions-trade-up-select-og-jonah-jackson-with-the-75th-pick-in-the-third-round/

Julian Okwara:

A CLOSER LOOK: Defensive end Julian Okwara:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/a-closer-look-defensive-end-julian-okwara

2020 NFL draft: Detroit Lions select Notre Dame EDGE Julian Okwara with first of 2 third-round picks:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2020/04/2020-nfl-draft-detroit-lions-select-edge-julian-okwara-with-first-of-2-third-round-picks.html

5 things to know about new pick Julian Okwara:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2020/04/5-things-to-know-about-new-pick-julian-okwara.html

Lions select OLB Julian Okwara at No. 67 in Round 3 of NFL draft:  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2020/04/24/julian-okwara-detroit-lions-nfl-draft/3022257001/

New Lions LB Julian Okwara's Notre Dame highlights include pick vs. U-M:  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2020/04/24/detroit-lions-nfl-draft-2020-notre-dame-julian-okwara-highlights/3025344001/

New Lions LB Julian Okwara, bro Romeo, 5th pair of sibling teammates:  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2020/04/24/detroit-lions-nfl-draft-2020-julian-okwara-brother-romeo/3018196001/

Lions land pass-rush help, draft Julian Okwara in 3rd round:  https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2020/04/24/lions-land-pass-rush-help-draft-julian-okwara-3rd-round/3025208001/

Lions’ draft pick LB Julian Okwara joins brother Romeo in Detroit:  https://lionslowdown.com/2020/04/25/detroit-lions-draft-lb-julian-okwara-in-third-round/

Third-round pick Julian Okwara sits atop defensive depth chart:  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2020/04/24/third-round-pick-julian-okwara-sits-atop-defensive-depth-chart/

Instant analysis of the Lions selecting EDGE Julian Okwara:  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2020/04/24/instant-analysis-of-the-lions-selecting-edge-julian-okwara/

5 things to know about Julian Okwara:  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2020/04/24/5-things-to-know-about-julian-okwara/

Lions select Julian Okwara with the 67th pick in the third round:  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2020/04/24/lions-select-julian-okwara-with-the-67th-pick-in-the-third-round/

D'Andre Swift:

RB D’Andre Swift on landing with Lions: The first thing I thought of was Barry Sanders:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2020/04/rb-dandre-swift-on-landing-with-lions-the-first-thing-i-thought-of-was-barry-sanders.html

Lions didn't draft D'Andre Swift to hold a suitcase:  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/columnists/shawn-windsor/2020/04/24/dandre-swift-detroit-lions-2020-nfl-draft/3024777001/

Lions banking on draft pick D'Andre Swift to be next great Georgia RB:  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2020/04/24/detroit-lions-dandre-swift-barry-sanders/3025144001/

'Happy to be a Lion': Detroit bolsters backfield with Georgia RB D'Andre Swift:  https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2020/04/24/lions-bolster-backfield-draft-georgia-rb-dandre-swift-second-round/3022168001/

Detroit Lions draft RB D’Andre Swift out of Georgia in the second round:  https://lionslowdown.com/2020/04/24/detroit-lions-draft-rb-dandre-swift-out-of-georgia-in-the-second-round/

Okwara Grades:

SI (GRADE A+. Julian Okwara:  Julian is a different style of defensive lineman than his older brother Romeo, whom he’ll now be teammates with in Detroit. While Romeo is a long and somewhat thick-bodied moderate NFL-caliber athlete who is highly dependent on his mechanics, Julian is more of a dynamic edge defender, with the length, burst and flexibility to turn the corner and reach the quarterback. Guys with those attributes are not usually available in Round 3. The Lions desperately needed to buttress their pass rush; you’ll likely see Julian Okwara in a passing down sub-package specialist role in 2020.):  https://www.si.com/nfl/2020/04/24/nfl-draft-2020-day-2-grades-analysis

Freep Carlos Monarrez (Grade: A):  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2020/04/24/detroit-lions-nfl-draft-2020-notre-dame-julian-okwara-grade/3022311001/

CBS (67. Lions: EDGE Julian Okwara, Notre Dame.  Grade: A-. Okwara is a long, super-powerful edge rusher with first-round flashes because of his bull rush and occasional pass-rush moves. Just needs to improve his pass-rush plans. Fluid athlete. Good add for Detroit to pair with Trey Flowers.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2020-nfl-draft-grades-and-analysis-for-every-third-round-pick/

FTW (67. Okwara (Grade: B): The Lions needed some athleticism on the edge and they got it in the talented Notre Dame product. Matt Patricia can do a lot with Okwara.):  https://ftw.usatoday.com/2020/04/2020-nfl-draft-tracker-live-grades-analysis-round-2-round-3

Yahoo (67. Okwara (Grade: B-):  We have an Okwara reunion in Detroit! Older brother Romeo is already with the Lions, and younger brother Julian likely wouldn’t be on the board this late had he not suffered a broken leg last season. He has some pass-rush tools and outstanding athletic traits but must become a better run defender and be a little more accountable.):  https://sports.yahoo.com/2020-nfl-draft-day-2-grades-for-every-pick-014402497.html

SN (67. Detroit Lions: Julian Okwara, LB, Notre Dame. Grade: B. The Lions address their need for more big plays on the edge after getting Jeff Okudah to fortify the back end of the pass defense. Okwara (6-4, 252 pounds) is a flexible, explosive pass-rusher with great finishing burst to the quarterback.):  https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/nfl-draft-grades-2020-live-picks-results/1u86adwa8sx4s14uhvepxtxuwe

Walterfootball (67. Detroit Lions: Julian Okwara, DE/OLB, Notre Dame - B Grade
The Lions play in a division with some pretty pedestrian quarterbacks - Nick Foles, Kirk Cousins, Jordan Love - but they still needed an edge rusher across from Trey Flowers. Julian Okwara makes sense here as a third-round prospect. This is a decent fit.):  https://walterfootball.com/nfldraftgrades3.php

Jackson Grades:

Freep Carlos Monarrez (Lions get an A):  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2020/04/24/detroit-lions-grade-jonah-jackson-nfl-draft-ohio-state/3025447001/

FTW (75. Jackson (Grade: A): I had Jackson as the top guard in the class. He’s an athletic guard with some power, but his pass blocking could be better. Detroit needed to bolster its line. This pick will do that.):  https://ftw.usatoday.com/2020/04/2020-nfl-draft-tracker-live-grades-analysis-round-2-round-3

CBS (75. Lions: G Jonah Jackson, Ohio State.  Grade: A. Not a high-level athlete but superb balance and recovery skills. Awesome hand work. Constantly resets his hands in pass pro. Doesn't look the part but just gets the job done. Detroit had a clear need on the interior up front. ):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2020-nfl-draft-grades-and-analysis-for-every-third-round-pick/

SI (GRADE A-.  Jonah Jackson:  The Lions invested in their long-stagnant run game early on Friday, drafting Georgia’s DeAndre Swift. Then, they did it again, taking Jackson, who has a chance to start immediately at right guard ahead of middling veterans Oday Aboushi and Kenny Wiggins (who can be a high quality backup). It’s always great when one draft pick can boost another.):  https://www.si.com/nfl/2020/04/24/nfl-draft-2020-day-2-grades-analysis

SN (75. Detroit Lions (from Colts): Jonah Jackson, G, Ohio State.  Grade: A-.  The Lions were wise to address their interior offensive line here after losing Graham Glasgow in free agency. Jackson (6-3, 306 pounds) is a unique prospect because he is a pure pass-protecting interior blocker. He has the frame and strength to develop in the running game. ):  https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/nfl-draft-grades-2020-live-picks-results/1u86adwa8sx4s14uhvepxtxuwe

Yahoo (75. Jackson (Grade: C-):  Jackson was outside our top 100 and felt like a Day 3 pick to us, but this isn’t a massive reach for a strong, sturdy interior blocker who could work his way into a starting spot. The Rutgers transfer was able to showcase his run-blocking skill last season for the Buckeyes, and he’s a high-character worker who fits the Matt Patricia typecast.):  https://sports.yahoo.com/2020-nfl-draft-day-2-grades-for-every-pick-014402497.html

Walterfootball (75.  Detroit Lions: Jonah Jackson, G, Ohio State - O'BRIEN Grade.  I get the need, and I'm glad the Lions have decided to protect Matthew Stafford, but I don't understand why the Lions jumped up 10 spots for Jonah Jackson. That didn't seem necessary at all. I've had Jackson in the sixth and seventh round, depending on the update, so I have to grade this poorly. This would be a C/C- if the Lions didn't trade up, but relinquishing resources unnecesarily is a killer.):  https://walterfootball.com/nfldraftgrades3.php

Analysis:

Lions crushed it on Day 2 of the 2020 NFL draft:  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/columnists/jeff-seidel/2020/04/24/detroit-lions-2020-nfl-draft/3025455001/

Detroit News (3 (67). Detroit Lions: Julian Okwara, EDGE, Notre Dame:  The Lions get some help rushing the passer, drafting the brother of current Detroit defensive end, Romeo Okwara.  11 (75). Detroit Lions (from Indianapolis): Jonah Jackson, G, Ohio State.  11 (75). Detroit Lions (from Indianapolis): Jonah Jackson, G, Ohio StateThe Lions:  traded up a few spots using the third-round pick they got from Philadelphia in exchange for Darius Slay, helping to replace Graham Glasgow at guard with the big man out of Ohio State. Detroit traded picks No. 85, 149 and 182 for picks No. 75 and 197.):  https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2020/04/24/live-updates-day-2-nfl-draft/3023648001/

ESPN Rothstein:  https://www.espn.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/36418/detroit-lions-2020-nfl-draft-analysis-for-every-pick

ESPN Tracker on Okwara (Pre-Draft Analysis
Okwara is a tall, long and athletic hybrid EDGE prospect. He has the get off, bend and closing burst to win with speed off the edge. He flashes an outside-in move but needs to develop better counterpunches and improve his ability to win with speed-to-power. Okwara is a rangy run defender, but he has a lean lower body and gives too much ground. -- Steve Muench.  Post-Draft Analysis:  The Lions tied for 29th with 28 sacks last season, with Trey Flowers getting seven of them after signing a five-year, $90 million deal. Romeo Okwara, Julian's older brother, saw his sack total drop from 7.5 in 2018 to 1.5 2019, his second season in Detroit. Julian has the potential to develop into an explosive edge rusher and excellent complement to Flowers. The Lions are also getting a player versatile enough to play defensive end or OLB in 3-4 alignments. -- Steve Muench):  https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft/rounds

ESPN Tracker on Jackson (Pre-Draft Analysis
Jackson is a versatile offensive lineman with good size, length and upper-body strength. He's a strong run-blocker who plays with an edge. He anchors well, but he doesn't bend well, he lunges at times and there's room for improvement when it comes to his hand-to-hand combat skills in pass pro. -- Steve Muench.  Post-Draft Analysis:  The Lions did a good job of addressing their ground game by taking the best running back in the draft in the second round, and adding Jackson is another step in the right direction. Jackson should compete for the right guard spot vacated by Graham Glasgow, and he's also versatile enough to provide depth at center for the Lions. -- Steve Muench):  https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft/rounds

Bucky Brooks' pick-by-pick analysis for Round 2 (67) Julian Okwara, LB, Detroit Lions:  Okwara is a long, rangy athlete with explosiveness and positional versatility. He will have a chance to make his mark as a special teams contributor/rotational player.  75) Jonah Jackson, OG, Detroit Lions (via Colts):  Jackson was a solid starter for the Buckeyes. He has some position versatility as a center or guard, which will make him a valuable backup/swing player for the Lions.):  http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001111142/article/2020-nfl-draft-bucky-brooks-pickbypick-analysis-for-day-2

PFF (PICK 67: DETROIT LIONS — EDGE JULIAN OKWARA, NOTRE DAME:  Getting a first-round talent in the third round is always a great thing, and that’s exactly what happened with the Lions and Julian Okwara. Matt Patricia has to love Okwara’s explosiveness off the line, overall athleticism and long arms. Before he got hurt in Week 11, Okwara was having one of the best seasons by an edge rusher by owning an elite 90.4 pass-rush grade. This is highway robbery for the Lions.  PICK 75: DETROIT LIONS (VIA INDIANAPOLIS COLTS) — OG JONAH JACKSON, OHIO STATE:  Jonah Jackson was a PFF favorite all draft season, and the Lions got him more than 30 spots later than we had him at on our draft board. Jackson’s pass sets are the best in the entire draft class. He gets on interior defenders lighting-quick and did it regardless of alignment. Jackson has lined up all across the interior for Ohio State and Rutgers the last few years and had incredible production — his grade on true pass sets since 2017 is well above the 90th percentile. This was a great pick by Detroit.):  https://www.pff.com/news/draft-pffs-live-analysis-of-the-2020-nfl-draft

CBS Draft Tracker (Okwara - Draft Scouting Report:  Rating: 85.  Strengths:  Has frame for NFL edge rusher -- long-limbed, tall.  Moves well for his size.  Frequently finds his way into backfield to make play.  Weaknesses:  Injury prematurely ended 2019 season.  Needs to diversity pass-rush moves.  Needs to improve vs. run):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/draft-tracker/

CBS Draft Tracker (Jackson - Draft Scouting Report:  Rating: 81.  Strengths:  Consistently wins with vice grips for hands.  Knows how to reset his hands if blockers counter him.  Has just enough foot quickness to mirror, above-average at second level..Stellar balance in his anchor.  Weaknesses:  Just an average athlete for the guard spot.  Routinely plays with minimal knee bend at all.  Could get a little more powerful in his lower half):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/draft-tracker/

USA Today Tracker (67. Detroit Lions – Julian Okwara, OLB, Notre Dame: He joins older brother Romeo, a defensive end, in Motown. Julian is the versatile kind of player Matt Patricia wants in his defense but projects as an edge presence after tallying 13 sacks the past two seasons.  75. Detroit Lions (from Indianapolis Colts) – Jonah Jackson, G, Ohio State: Not all of the Lions' struggles running the ball are due to the shortcoming of the backs. Jackson has a chance to claim a starting job right away.):  https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/draft/2020/04/24/nfl-draft-tracker-2020-rounds-2-3-picks-analysis-live/3016184001/

PFN (67. Detroit Lions: Julian Okwara, DE, Notre Dame.  Pauline’s Ranking: #50 (DE5).  PFN Consensus: #45.  Pauline: Julian Okwara entered the season graded as a potential first-round prospect by scouts yet never found his footing. He’s an explosive athlete who covers a tremendous amount of area and shows a lot of force as a pass rusher as well as making plays in pursuit. If he plays at the level he’s capable of, the Lions got a steal.  DiCecco: Okwara is another lengthy pass rusher with terrific bend around the edge. He is explosive off the ball and plays with solid anticipation, but must add size to his frame in order to become more than a high-upside rotational player.):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/day-2-2020-nfl-draft-live-blog-pauline/

PFN (75. Detroit Lions: Jonah Jackson, G, Ohio State.  Pauline’s Ranking: #113 (G03).  PFN Consensus: #151| RAS: 6.43.  Pauline: Guard Jonah Jackson had been moving up draft boards and will help fill out the Lions’ offensive line. He’s a tough as nails mauler with outstanding power. Jackson plays strong, intelligent football and will eventually develop into a starter.  DiCecco: The Lions add to the trenches, adding Ohio State guard Jonah Jackson. Jackson is a powerful blocker with terrific hand usage and plays with a mean streak.):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/day-2-2020-nfl-draft-live-blog-pauline/

Video:

D'Andre Swift Highlights:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/d-andre-swift-highlights

Detroit Lions select Georgia running back D'Andre Swift with No. 35 overall pick in Round 2 of the 2020 NFL Draft:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/detroit-lions-select-georgia-running-back-d-andre-swift-with-no-35-overall-pick-

Detroit Lions select Notre Dame DE Julian Okwara with No. 67 pick in 2020 draft:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/detroit-lions-select-notre-dame-lb-julian-okwara-with-no-67-pick-in-2020-draft