The Detroit Lions have always been risk-averse when it comes to adding players, but with Spring camps being virtually based and Fall training camps in question, general manager Bob Quinn spent the offseason targeting players who would be ready to contribute with only minimal coaching.
Finding players that fit this mold at the top of the draft isn’t overly challenging, but after the top players are off the board, Quinn needed to look for value, especially on Day 3 of the draft.
According to Pro Football Focus, the Lions are getting incredible value in sixth-round nose tackle John Penisini, as he is one of the top low-risk, high-reward prospects in this draft class.
“An early-down run-stuffer is becoming less valuable by the year,” PFF’s Steve Palazzolo said, “but strong run defenders still have a place in the NFL. The key is not to spend big money or high draft capital to find them, and Penisini is a perfect Day 3 option to fill a very specific run-stuffing role.”
The Lions have applied this concept to their team this offseason, targeting Danny Shelton in free agency — who only has a $2.75 million cap hit in 2020 — and now Penisini late in the draft.
“Penisini has a nose-tackle build and is tough to move at the point of attack, all of which led to a 90.6 grade against the run over the last two seasons. There are plenty of examples of quality run-stoppers who were taken in the middle to late rounds over the last few seasons, including Poona Ford, Greg Gaines and Michael Pierce. So, waiting on a player like Penisini will keep a team from drafting a one-dimensional interior defensive lineman in the early rounds, allowing them to focus on more valuable, pass-game affecting positions. Now that’s value.”