The Detroit Lions filled a very important role on Day 1 of the 2020 NFL Draft, selecting corner Jeff Okudah in the first round, but Day 2 brings a whole new crop of players and the Lions hold three picks in the next two rounds.
The Lions will begin the day with picks No. 35, 67, and 85, and while there could be some trade movement, they should still be able to land a few key players.
Here are 10 options — five who were with the Lions at the Senior Bowl — who should be considered on Day 2.
A.J. Epenesa, EDGE, Iowa
The Lions have a need at EDGE rusher and Epenesa is the perfect fit for the Lions scheme. In my final 7-round mock draft, Epenesa was my choice at pick No. 35 and a player I still believe to be a Top-10 player on the Lions draft board.
Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor
Senior Bowl
If it’s not Epenesa, Mims’ ability to drastically improve the Lions offense would make him incredibly tempting in the second round. At 6-3, 207, with 4.38 speed, Mims is an ideal vertical threat with starter upside as a rookie.
Zach Baun, LB, Wisconsin
Senior Bowl
A hybrid linebacker who fits the mold of what the Lions have recently targeted in their second-level defenders. He would play primarily off-the-ball but has the ability to situationally pass-rush from the JACK linebacker spot.
Josh Uche, JACK/LB, Michigan
Senior Bowl
Uche is also a hybrid linebacker but his insane speed off the edge would keep him pass-rushing often, while also offering the ability to drop into coverage. Both Uche and Baun would fit in like perfect puzzle pieces with the Lions linebackers and would allow them to disguise the defense’s intentions.
Josh Jones, OT, Houston
Senior Bowl
Jones is an athletic tackle who could line up on the right side as a rookie and his ability to be a left tackle would give the Lions insurance if they move on from Taylor Decker in 2021.
RBs J.K. Dobbins (OSU) and Jonathan Taylor (Wisc)
Pick your flavor here as both backs would fit in nicely in the Lions scheme. I have Dobbins slightly ahead of Taylor on my tiered Lions draft board, but if the Lions decide to upgrade their backfield, it’s hard to argue with either player.
Laviska Shenault, WR, Colorado
A first-round talent who likely dropped to Day 2 because of injuries. He has a versatile skill set and plays physical, creating yards after catch (YAC) with power and athleticism.
K.J. Hamler, WR, Penn State
Hamler is a YAC machine who fits the mold of a pure slot receiver, similar to what the Lions have in Danny Amendola. The Lions met with Hamler at the Combine and if they are looking for an explosive playmaker, he would be high on their list.
Terrell Lewis, EDGE, Alabama
Lewis is another first-round talent who has a lengthy injury history that is surely going to impact where he gets selected. At 6-5, 262 pounds and 33.88″ arms, Lewis is a prototype player in coach Matt Patricia’s defensive scheme.
Bradlee Anae, EDGE, Utah
Senior Bowl
Anae is likely more in play in the third round, but there is no doubt that Lions’ coaches loved what they saw from him at the Senior Bowl. Anae is a high effort pass rusher who lives off his first step as we saw in Mobile when he registered three sacks:
Josh Uche (Michigan) and Bradlee Anae (Utah) have dominated the EDGE in this game pic.twitter.com/lxUVMKkoSr
— Erik Schlitt (@erikschlitt) January 25, 2020
Bonus names to keep in mind for Round 3
In my final 7-round mock draft, my Lions picks in the third round were Robert Hunt (RT/G, Louisiana) and McTelvin Agim (DT, Arkansas), and are names Lions fans should keep in the back of their minds.