Detroit Lions NFL Draft Picks 2020: Round-by-Round Results, Grades
The Lions took a step backward in their second season under head coach Matt Patricia, finishing 3-12-1—their worst record since finishing 2-14 in 2009. The franchise is still looking for its first playoff win since 1991. After some speculation regarding his job security, Patricia will return for his third season at the helm.
Detroit's 2019 draft was headlined by its selection of tight end T.J. Hockenson with the No. 8 pick—the highest draft selection for a tight end since 2006 (Vernon Davis, drafted No. 6 by the San Francisco 49ers). Hockenson ranked fourth on the team with 367 receiving yards, snagging 32 receptions with two scores.
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According to The MMQB's NFC North team needs, the Lions might look to address their secondary with the No. 3 pick, especially after the team traded Darius Slay to the Philadelphia Eagles in March. Detroit also lost several members of its defensive front, including NT Damon Harrison, DT A’Shawn Robinson and EDGE Devon Kennard.
Offensively, the Lions could stand to improve their offensive line. Wideouts Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones are each entering the final year of their contracts, so the team could look to invest in replacements in the draft.
A full list of Detroit's picks will be updated below as the draft progresses.
Round 1, Pick 3 (No. 3 overall): Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State
Andy Benoit's analysis: No team played more man coverage than the Lions last season, which is a philosophy that head coach Matt Patricia brought over from New England. In that same vein, Patricia also puts a huge emphasis on matchups, having specific corners travel almost everywhere with specific receivers week after week. You must have a true No. 1 corner to consistently do this. What reigning Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore has brought to New England, the Lions hope Okudah will bring to Detroit. He’s a slightly different style of corner than the physical Gilmore; what scouts liked most about Okudah is he has the agility to mirror wide receivers. The Lions, who like to have multiple safeties helping in coverage, often instruct their corners to play in the low hip pocket of their man. Okudah shined with that at Ohio State. The only negative here is Detroit GM Bob Quinn probably felt he could get a quality corner a few picks later in the draft, but he did not get an enticing enough package to trade down. Okudah is the first corner drafted in the top three since Seattle took Shawn Springs third in 1997. He can slide right into the role previously filled by recently traded veteran Darius Slay. Grade: B+
Round 2, No. 35 overall: D'Andre Swift, RB, Georgia
Andy Benoit's analysis: Try, try again. That’s what the Lions have been doing at running back ever since Barry Sanders’s unexpected retirement 21 years ago. Swift was a highly refined zone runner at Georgia and will operate mainly out of those designs in coordinator Darrell Bevell’s offense. He has the lateral agility to create his own space, and his potential explosiveness as a receiver could do wonders for a Lions offense that must regain some aerial balance after becoming heavily skewed toward vertical throws in 2019. With sustaining third-year back Kerryon Johnson aboard, expect Swift to fill an Alvin Kamara type role. Grade: A-
Round 3, No. 67 overall: Julian Okwara, DE, Notre Dame
Andy Benoit's analysis: 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. Grade: A+
Round 3, No. 75 overall: Jonah Jackson, G, Ohio State
Andy Benoit's analysis: 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. Grade: A-
Round 4, No. 115 overall: Logan Stenberg, G, Kentucky
Round 5, No. 166 overall: Quintez Cephus, WR, Wisconsin
Round 6, No. 197 overall: John Penisini, DT, Utah
Round 7, No. 235 overall: Jashon Cornell, DT, Ohio State
This story will be updated.
