Morning Lions Links for Friday 4-24-20

Articles:

O'HARA: After months of speculation, Lions keep the third pick:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/o-hara-after-months-of-speculation-lions-keep-the-third-pick

The Detroit Lions couldn’t trade the third overall pick because they never got any offers:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2020/04/the-detroit-lions-couldnt-trade-the-third-overall-pick-because-they-never-got-any-offers.html

NFC North: Green Bay Packers steal NFL draft headlines with surprise pick of QB Jordan Love:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2020/04/nfc-north-green-bay-packers-steal-nfl-draft-headlines-with-surprise-pick-of-qb-jordan-love.html

Lions GM Bob Quinn explains why he passed on Tua Tagovailoa:  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2020/04/24/detroit-lions-tua-tagovailoa-nfl-draft-bob-quinn/3018232001/

Inside the Lions: Why there were no takers for trade down at 3:  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2020/04/24/detroit-lions-nfl-draft-trade-down-jeff-okudah-bob-quinn/3017054001/

For all the changes, NFL draft kind of looked, well, normal:  https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/2020/04/24/all-changes-nfl-draft-kind-looked-well-normal/3018221001/

Jeff Okudah Articles:

The Lions gain a star in Jeff Okudah, but miss an opportunity on opening night of NFL draft:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2020/04/the-lions-manage-to-disappoint-despite-landing-star-cb-jeff-okudah.html

New Lions CB Jeff Okudah already busy reaching out to NFL’s best, sharpening his sword:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2020/04/new-lions-cb-jeff-okudah-already-busy-reaching-out-to-nfls-best-sharpening-his-sword.html

Big Ten WRs agree: New Lion Jeff Okudah was best CB in NFL draft:  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2020/04/23/detroit-lions-jeff-okudah-best-cb-nfl-draft/3017277001/

ESPN feature on Jeff Okudah and his late mom is a must-watch:  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2020/04/23/jeff-okudah-mom-detroit-lions-ohio-state-football/3017676001/

Jeff Okudah wants to reward Lions' faith in him. He has already started:  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2020/04/23/jeff-okudah-detroit-lions-nfl-draft-2020/3011855001/

Albom: In bizarre NFL draft, Lions made the prudent pick: Jeff Okudah:  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/columnists/mitch-albom/2020/04/24/jeff-okudah-detroit-lions-2020-nfl-draft-mitch-albom/3009960001/

Lions didn't trade down, but didn't blow it in taking Jeff Okudah:  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2020/04/24/lions-didnt-blow-not-trading-down-no-3-overall-pick/3011864001/

Wojo: Lions can’t stir up first-round drama, which is too bad:  https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/columnists/bob-wojnowski/2020/04/24/wojo-detroit-lions-cant-stir-up-first-round-drama-which-too-bad/3011776001/

'Crazy feeling': Detroit Lions stay at No. 3, draft CB Jeff Okudah:  https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2020/04/23/detroit-lions-stay-no-3-draft-cb-jeff-okudah/3011258001/

T.J. Lang: First-round pick Jeff Okudah can make a 'huge impact':  https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2020/04/24/former-detroit-lion-t-j-lang-jeff-okudah-can-make-huge-impact/3018071001/

Detroit Lions draft CB Jeff Okudah who says his technique is his best asset:  https://lionslowdown.com/2020/04/24/detroit-lions-draft-cb-jeff-okudah-who-says-his-technique-is-his-best-asset/

Jeff Okudah evaluations from 2020 NFL Draft guides:  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2020/04/23/jeff-okudah-evaluations-from-2020-nfl-draft-guides/

Twitter Reacts to Lions Selecting CB Jeff Okudah:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/twitter-reacts-detroit-lions-drafting-jeff-okudah

Where every 2020 NFL first-round pick ranked as a high school recruit (3. Jeffrey Okudah, CB, Ohio State (Rivals rating: 5 stars, No. 16 overall, 2017 position ranking: No. 1 safety):  Another five-star recruit in Ohio State’s heralded 2017 class, Jeffrey Okudah was projected as a college safety by Rivals, but his performance in one-on-one coverage drills at recruiting camps made it evident he could have a future at cornerback too. Rivals had Okudah as fourth-best player in the state of Texas, and he ended up choosing the Buckeyes over schools like Florida State, Oklahoma and Georgia. Okudah saw the field as part of a deep secondary group as a true freshman, but emerged as one of the best players in the country as a junior in 2019. Now he is headed to Detroit, where he is expected to slide into the spot vacated by Darius Slay, who was traded to the Eagles.):  https://sports.yahoo.com/where-every-2020-nfl-firstround-pick-ranked-as-a-high-school-recruit-042122095.html

Grades:

Lions Wire - Grading the Detroit Lions' selection of Jeff Okudah (Lions get an A+):  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2020/04/23/grading-the-detroit-lions-selection-of-jeff-okudah/

NFL.com Chad Reuter (Draft pick: Ohio State CB Jeff Okudah (No. 3 overall) - Day 1 grade and analysis: A.  The Lions traded Darius Slay this offseason, leaving them in desperate need of a No. 1 corner. Okudah's the type of big, strong, athletic corner that teams desire on the outside. Detroit's Matt Patricia coached reigning Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore in New England, and I'm sure he sees the potential for Odukah to make a similar impact.):  http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001111004/article/2020-nfl-draft-day-1-quicksnap-grades-for-all-32-teams

Draft wire - 2020 NFL Draft: Full grades for every 1st-round pick (3. Detroit Lions - Jeff Okudah:  The Lions wanted to move back a few spots, but they didn’t get the deal they wanted, so they just took their man here.  Okudah is easily this year’s top corner prospect, with the size, length and ball skills to excel in man coverage, as well as the toughness and technique to support in the run game. His confidence is his best trait, and one that every top corner must possess at the next level.  After trading away Darius Slay, the Lions replace him with a player who has Pro Bowl potential of his own.  GRADE: A):  https://draftwire.usatoday.com/2020/04/24/2020-nfl-draft-grades-1st-round-joe-burrow-tua-tagovailoa-justin-herbert-jordan-love/3/

Detroit News (3. Detroit: Jeff Okudah, CB (Ohio State) -- Okudah gives the draft back-to-back Buckeyes, and the Lions a long-term solution to replace three-time Pro Bowler Darius Slay. Trading down was popular speculation, and perhaps it’s disappointing the Lions weren’t able to leverage their position to add an extra pick, but they nevertheless fill a huge need in the ball-hawking Okudah, who should help a defense that gave up more passing yards per game than any other team last season. Grade: A-):  https://www.detroitnews.com/picture-gallery/sports/nfl/lions/2020/04/24/detroit-news-2020-nfl-draft-grades-first-round/3017014001/

Yahoo 2020 NFL draft: Round 1 instant grades (3. Detroit Lions: CB Jeffrey Okudah, Ohio State — After much speculation that Detroit would trade out of this pick, the Lions stayed put and picked arguably the best defensive back in the draft. Long, highly athletic coverage ace who is just starting to hit his peak and profiles as a future All-Pro at one of football’s most demanding positions. Grade: A-.):  https://sports.yahoo.com/2020-nfl-draft-round-1-instant-grades-041848465.html

Analysis:

NFL draft winners and losers: Jon Gruden's surprising pick makes it harder to justify Khalil Mack trade (Josh Rosen (again), Lions (again) among Day 1 losers - Detroit Lions: Before the draft, there was a report that the Lions’ top two decision makers disagreed on the top pick. Coach Matt Patricia wanted Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown, and GM Bob Quinn wanted Ohio State cornerback Jeffrey Okudah. If that was true, Quinn won out.  Okudah is a very good prospect and fills a big need. It still seems strange the Lions couldn’t move out of the third overall pick, especially with quarterbacks Justin Herbert and Tua Tagovailoa on the board. Moving down a few spots and still getting Okudah while picking up another valuable pick seemed obvious. But it never happened.  The Lions got Okudah, who Patricia will say he wanted all along even if that wasn’t exactly the case. Detroit didn’t get creative and pick up extra picks. They’ll be happy with Okudah, but it seemed they could have done more.):  https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-draft-winners-and-losers-jon-grudens-surprising-pick-makes-it-harder-to-justify-khalil-mack-trade-050042681.html

ESPN Tracker (Pre-Draft Analysis - Okudah is a big corner with smooth hips, quick feet and good playing speed. He played receiver in high school and flashes solid ball skills. He's an average tackler who takes too long to get off blocks, but he's tough and is willing in run support. -- Steve Muench.  Post-Draft Analysis - The Lions get a good value and fill a pressing need. They allowed an NFL-most 284.4 yards per game and tied for last in interceptions with seven last year. They traded their best corner in Darius Slay to Philadelphia, and Rashaan Melvin signed with Jacksonville. While they signed Desmond Trufant to a two-year deal, he didn't play at a high level in 2019 and isn't considered a No.1 like Okudah. -- Steve Muench):  https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft/teams/_/name/det/detroit-lions

20 observations on NFL draft's top 20 of Round 1:  https://sports.yahoo.com/20-observations-on-nfl-drafts-top-20-of-round-1-045736531.html

2020 NFL Draft Day 2:

Detroit Lions' Day 2 targets: Here's who's in play:  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2020/04/24/detroit-lions-day-2-nfl-draft-targets-offensive-line/3009372001/

A dozen players who could make sense for Lions on Day 2 of the NFL Draft:  https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2020/04/24/dozen-players-who-make-sense-detroit-lions-day-2-nfl-draft/3017826001/

10 players the Lions should consider on Day 2 of the draft:  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2020/04/24/10-players-the-lions-should-consider-on-day-2-of-the-draft/

Best prospects remaining in the 2020 NFL Draft:  http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001110697/article/2020-nfl-draft-best-remaining-prospects-available

Who Are the Top Players Still Left for the 2020 NFL Draft?:  https://www.si.com/nfl/2020/04/24/best-prospects-still-available-day-2-2020-nfl-draft

2020 NFL Draft: Best available players for Day 2:  https://draftwire.usatoday.com/gallery/2020-nfl-draft-best-available-players-day-2/

Pick-Six: Intriguing players available on Day 2 of NFL draft:  https://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/pick-six-intriguing-players-available-on-day-2-of-nfl-draft-042420

Day 2 NFL Draft Targets for the Lions:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/detroit-lions-day-2-draft-targets

NFL Draft picks 2020: Who are the best players still available after Round 1?:  https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/nfl-draft-picks-2020-best-players-still-available/1uur1ldee214s1w22nhuz4tcdh

DAY 2 BEST AVAILABLE:  https://www.rotoworld.com/article/rankings/day-2-best-available

Norris: Best Available For Day 2:  https://www.rotoworld.com/article/nfl-draft-preview/norris-best-available-day-2-0

2020 NFL Draft: Tony Pauline’s best remaining prospects:  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/best-remaining-draft-prospects-2020-nfl-draft/

2020 NFL Draft: Best remaining players going into Day 2:  https://ftw.usatoday.com/2020/04/2020-nfl-draft-top-best-remaining-players

The best players left after the first round in the 2020 NFL draft:  https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/2020/04/24/the-best-players-left-after-the-first-round-in-the-2020-nfl-draft/

Video:

Quinn on Day 1 of 2020 NFL Draft:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/quinn-on-day-1-of-2020-nfl-draft

Tori Petry 1 on 1 with Jeff Okudah:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/tori-petry-1-on-1-with-jeff-okudah

Behind the scenes: Lions call Jeff Okudah:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/behind-the-scenes-lions-call-jeff-okudah