Many people will say that the 2020 NFL draft will not truly begin until the No. 3 overall selection.
LSU quarterback Joe Burrow is a foregone conclusion to go first overall to the Cincinnati Bengals, as is the Washington Redskins taking edge rusher Chase Young out of Ohio State with the second pick. Barring an unforeseen trade within the first two selections, the real drama will begin when the Detroit Lions are on the clock with the No. 3 pick.
The Lions started off their season relatively well, starting off at 2-0-1 and still carrying a respectable 3-3-1 record heading into November. It all went south from there, though, as they failed to capture a single win for the rest of the season. Matthew Stafford missed the final 8 games of the year with spinal fractures, and the team failed to generate any sort of momentum from that point on.
Detroit has more talent on their roster than their draft positioning indicates, but they still have their fair share of needs. Here are five routes they can go down with their third overall pick.
Jeff Okudah | CB | Ohio State
Seen by many as the most likely pick for the Lions if they stay at No. 3, Jeff Okudah is yet another stud to come from the Ohio State factory for defensive backs.
Okudah is a lengthy cornerback at 6-foot-1 who has the size to match up with bigger receivers on the boundary. He’s physical and can jam the opposition at the line of scrimmage in press coverage, and he doesn’t shy away from contact when attacking the ball.
He is also an incredible athlete for his size, as his hip fluidity and ability to seamlessly accelerate coming out of his breaks are among the best in the class. Okudah, who had 3 interceptions and 9 deflections in 2019, has impressive ball skills and can box out receivers in jump-ball situations.
With no real answer at cornerback alongside Darius Slay – and the Pro Bowler’s future with the team in question – Okudah would be a slam-dunk pick for the Lions at No. 3. Regardless of whether or not Slay sticks around, the Ohio State standout would give them another cornerback with All-Pro potential.