Next up in the series of finding a draft prospect at a given position for the Detroit Lions in each round of the draft: pass rusher.
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Rather than just limit it to one specific position, the focus here is on generating pressure on the opposing quarterback. It can come from a hand-in-dirt DE, a stand-up OLB or a hybrid of the two, more commonly known as the EDGE position.
First round: K’Lavon Chaisson, LSU
Chase Young from Ohio State is the obvious choice, and the best player in the 2020 NFL Draft would look fantastic in the Honolulu Blue and silver. Presuming he’s off the board before the Lions pick at No. 3 overall, the focus turns away from Young and onto another option.
Chaisson is almost universally regarded as the second-best EDGE in this draft, and it’s for good reason. Athletically, he’s a marvel at 6-3, 254 well-chiseled pounds and one of the fastest firsts steps in recent memory. He’s got great bend and ankle flexion to sharply turn the corner and attack the QB. Chaisson can win inside too.
There are some drawbacks. He missed all of 2018 with a torn ACL and was hobbled by a foot injury last fall. Chaisson is still learning how to play football; just 20 years old, he didn’t play organized football until high school. His lack of game experience shows at times.
If the Lions trade back from No. 3, Chaisson should definitely be in play with the team’s first pick. He won’t last out of the first 10 or so picks.