Detroit Lions 2020 Draft - Initial Thoughts/Grade

The 2020 NFL Draft is complete and it was a very different draft than we have seen in the past due to the Covid-19 pandemic. We got to see a more personal side of the NFL and the people that make decisions for these teams. We got to see kids, dogs and an insane Bachelor Pad (Kliff Kingsbury). It was good to see this side. It made the entire League look more personable. Also while there were a few hiccups, things seemed to go pretty well.

Onto the Lions draft. Thursday and Friday went about as well as any of us could have hoped for, save for a trade back in the first round. The Lions selected the #1 Cornerback and the #1 Running Back with their first 2 picks (Okudah,Swift). Followed by a Pass Rushing Edge in the 3rd (Okarawa) . Very nice work in the first 3 rounds. I may have not taken a RB in the 2nd round but I understand the value and the need.

Day 3 things started to drift a little bit. The first pick in the 4th round I am good with as I always like the Big Uglies, it is with the 2 5th round picks that I started to wonder what Bob Quinn was thinking. Another RB and a WR. First of all I know it is the 5th rd and we are probably not talking about players that will make a big impact on the team but there was a lot of good Defensive talent still on the board. Also on the WR – Quintez Cefus, he is so fast that Teez Tabor could guard him!! However his game may translate to the NFL if he can remain physical against much tougher and stronger competition.

The last 2 picks might be diamonds in the rough as DT’s, 2 run stuffers. Big bodies that can take up space and work their way into the rotation.

Overall I really like Okudah (what is there to not like about him?) I was not enamored with the selection of Swift but they need to try to address the run game in some form. I also liked the pick of the 2 OG in the 3rd and 4th. The Oline needs some talent and some attitude and these 2 bring that.

For a letter grade I am going with a B : The pick of Swift, Huntley and Cefus brings this down in my opinion.