Dane Brugler from The Athletic is one of the most respected voices in the NFL draft media, and for good reason. His work is always a must-read for his independent-minded analysis and connections throughout the NFL front offices.
Brugler released his 7-round mock draft via The Athletic this week, and it’s an interesting look at what the Detroit Lions might do in next week’s 2020 NFL Draft.
The Lions’ haul from Brugler strikes a lot of needs but also includes some new names and positions (a punter?!?) across the seven rounds.
1 (3) CB Jeff Okudah, Ohio State
2 (35) RB Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin
3 (67) DT Justin Madubuike, Texas A&M
3 (85) OT Prince Tega Wanogho, Auburn
4 (109) OG Jonah Jackson, Ohio State
5 (149) WR Tyler Johnson, Minnesota
5 (166) QB Anthony Gordon, Washington State
6 (182) PT Braden Mann, Texas A&M
7 (235) LB Cale Garrett, Missouri
Okudah is a chalk pick with Chase Young off the board.
“The Lions are hoping a team trades up to No. 2 for a quarterback so Chase Young falls in their laps, but if that doesn’t happen (and they don’t receive a trade offer to move back), they will be just fine with his Ohio State teammate,” Brugler writes.
Taylor in the second round is interesting. It’s generally higher than most pundits predict the Lions to tab a running back, but his talent certainly merits Taylor’s inclusion in that range.
The lines get augmented in the third and fourth rounds. Madubuike in the third round would be a wonderful outcome for the Lions, while Tega Wanogho could emerge as a starting tackle in 2021.
A punter in the sixth round after a developmental project QB in the fifth doesn’t move the needle much. Based on my watching, Gordon isn’t a better option than David Blough in the No. 3 QB role. But as Lions fans know well, there’s at least one pick every year that produces winces when the team actually makes its own selections.