#OnePride 2020 Lions Fan Mock Draft 5.0

This is the fifth edition of Lions Wire’s facilitated #OnePride 2020 Lions Fan Mock Draft, where we present the options and fans vote the pick.

Using the Draft Network‘s Mock Draft simulator, we at Lions Wire presented the #OnePride Twitter fan base four options in each round and allowed them to vote on who they would like the team to pick. After making their selection, the simulator picks for the other 31 teams and then the Lions’ fans are back on the clock for another selection.

For clarification, the four best players are selected by a Lions Wire staff editor/writer, but Lions Wire doesn’t vote — unless there is a tie — or influence the voting. Additionally, Lions Wire is not ranking the players where or when they are available — the simulator makes those decisions. We only offer up the best options.

Lions trade out of pick No. 3

With Joe Burrow (QB, LSU) and Chase Young (EDGE, OSU) being selected with the first two picks, Lions fans opted to trade out of the third spot and found a partner in the Los Angeles Chargers.

The Chargers selected Tua Tagovailova (QB, Alabama) with pick No. 3 and gave the Lions pick No. 6 overall, pick No. 37 in the second round, and pick No. 112 in the fourth round. There would likely also be a 2021 Day 2 pick added into the deal, but for the purposes of this exercise, which 2021 pick was not clarified.

Here’s what the Lions did with their picks in the 2020 draft.

Round 1, Pick 6: Jeff Okudah, Ohio State

With every day that passes the Lions and Okudah appear to be a match made in heaven. Fans took a gamble he would still be on the board at pick No. 6, but by trading down three spots and assuming two quarterbacks would be selected — which they were — they only needed for him to fall past the Giants.

Erik’s take: I believe the Lions would consider trading down to six, but not much further because Okudah is their target. I could also see them sit tight at three and take Okudah there — that’s how important he is to them.

Round 2, Pick 35: A.J. Epenesa, DL, Iowa

A top-15 talent entering the Combine, Epenesa’s underwhelming performance caused many draft evaluators to drop him down their boards. If he falls to pick No. 35, expect the Lions to run to the podium — metaphorically — as he is a perfect fit for their scheme and can play at down defensive end, as well as inside at the 3-technique. At 6-5, 271 pounds, he is a bigger version of Trey Flowers.

Erik’s take: This is a no brainer pick, as I believe he could be a Top-10 player on the Lions’ internal draft board.

Round 2, Pick 37: Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin

The Lions went to Wisconsin’s Pro Day — remember those — and running backs coach Kyle Caskey put Taylor through drills illustrating their interest in the 226-pound bruiser. Taylor put on an athletic show at the Combine and was one of three running backs in this draft class to check all the athletic boxes the Lions look for in a running back.

Erik’s take: The fit is excellent and he gives the Lions a legit durable option in the backfield — but I have a hard time justifying taking a running back in the second round. Again.

Round 3, Pick, 67: Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona State

Terrific value at the top of the third round, Aiyuk can be an instant contributor in 2020 with a high enough ceiling to claim a starting role in 2021 — either replacing Marvin Jones on the outside or Danny Amendola in the slot.

Erik’s take: Love it.

Round 3, Pick, 85: Bradlee Anae, EDGE, Utah

While Epenesa fills a void at down defensive end and 3-technique, Anae would likely fill a role rotating between the JACK linebacker and down defensive end spot.

Erik’s take: I am a big fan of Anae, but this would’ve been the spot to snag a guard for me. I would have grabbed Ben Bartch here and gambled Anae was there 24 picks later.

Round 4, Pick 109: Tyler Biadasz, IOL, Wisconsin

Biadasz hs 41 games starting experience at center for the Badgers but the Lions would be hoping for him to make a Frank Ragnow-like transition to right guard in his first year. He’s not a plug-and-play option but he may be the best option they currently have on this roster.

Erik’s take: In the poll, I also included Washington’s Nick Harris who was with the Lions coaching staff at the senior bowl. I have both Harris and Biadasz in the same tier on my personal draft board, but Harris a tick higher and I would’ve preferred him here.

Round 4, Pick 112: Leki Fotu, NT, Utah

The Lions add their first pure defensive tackle here in the fourth. Fotu is a stout nose tackle who can also see reps at the 3-technique. He is a perfect scheme fit with the upside to develop into a steady contributor.

Erik’s take: Big fan of Fotu and this is the right spot to grab him, but I also would have been fine with the Lions’ fans drafting back-to-back guards and taking Harris, who was still on the board.

Round 5, Pick 149: Devin Duvernay, Slot, Texas

Duvernay is a 4.39 slot receiver who can go over the middle and stretch the field deep. Highly productive in college, his ability to play a variety of roles at the next level is very appealing for a fifth-rounder.

Erik’s take: Really like the upside of Duvernay here, but don’t be surprised if this is where the Lions draft a punter — this is the exact pick where the Seahawks selected Michael Dickson in 2018.

Round 5, Pick 166: Braden Mann, P, Texas A&M

17 picks later and the Lions land their punter of the future. Mann is a complete player who can hit it deep, put air under the ball, drop it inside the 20-yard line with consistency, and handle kickoff duties.

Erik’s take: A Mann-Lions marriage has been anticipated since the Senior Bowl.

Round 6, Pick 182: Raequan Williams, DT, Michigan State

At this point in the draft, Lions fans were looking for depth players who possess enough upside to potentially knock off a player at an already established position. Williams is someone the Lions have kept tabs on the past few years and would put John Atkins and Kevin Strong on notice.

Erik’s take: Boise State wide receiver John Hightower received the fewest votes in this round but he would’ve been my pick despite already drafting Aiyuk and Duvernay. A pure vertical threat, Hightower is a perfect player in Darrell Bevell’s scheme and I expect him to be drafted much sooner than this.

Round 7, Pick 235: Jon Runyan, T/G, Michigan

A two-year starter at left tackle for the Wolverines, Runyan’s future in the NFL has always been at guard. If he ends up on the Lions, expect him to get the Joe Dahl treatment — a swing player who learns multiple positions for the first three years in the league and is a potential starter in year four.

Erik’s take: An underrated athlete who has the upside and NFL bloodlines to get a shot late in the draft and find a home as a reserve early in his career.

#OnePride 2020 Lions Fan Mock Draft 4.0

The latest edition of #OnePride Fan based mock draft is based on a reader suggested scenario where quarterbacks are selected with the top two picks and allowing Chase Young to fall to the Lions.

This edition of the #OnePride Mock Draft was based on a scenario suggested by Lions Wire reader David Alexander — The Cincinnatti Bengals select LSU quarterback Joe Burrow with the first overall pick and then a quarterback-needy team trades with Washington to select a healthy Tua Tagovailoa, leaving the Lions with more options with the third pick.

Round 1, Pick 3: Chase Young, EDGE, Ohio State

No surprise, Chase Young received 95-percent of the voting.

This is the exact scenario Lions Wire editor Jeff Risdon suggested in a recent Mock Draft he wrote for Real GM, where the Los Angeles Chargers traded up and Young fell to the Lions at pick three.

Because we are using Draft Network’s simulation in this edition, it makes sense to also use their writers for player summaries. Here is Kyle Crabbs summary on Young:

Chase Young is an elite NFL Draft prospect who can step into any defensive system in the league and find a home in the starting lineup. Young has a surreal potency as a pass rusher, constantly gaining ground, attacking hands and showcasing elite length and flexibility at the top of the arc. Young is a game changing player who opponents will have to cater game plans around in order to negate his disruptive qualities — he’s highly refined with hand tech and should be a splash starter right away.

Erik’s take: No brainer choice here as Young gives the Lions a boost in the pass-rushing department, while also allowing the players around him more freedom to make an impact.

Round 2, Pick 35: Grant Delpit, S, LSU

Crabbs player summary:

Grant Delpit projects as an impact defender at the NFL level. Tackling issues in the open field will put off some teams, but he’s physically capable of booming hits and his foundation as a player is a pretty rare blend of skills — making him an enticing every down defender that can be a centerpiece to weekly game plans. Delpit has high football intelligence and can handle any number of roles or responsibilities, adding him to a roster will add infinite flexibility to back-end coverage combos.

Erik’s take: By adding Delpit, the Lions can drop him at single-high, allowing Tracy Walker more time in his flex (JOKER) role, and shifting Will Harris into a more natural Tavon Wilson-like role.

Round 3, Pick, 67: K.J. Hill, slot WR, Ohio State

Draft Network’s Brad Kelly:

The veteran wideout has a skillset that is predicated on fluidity, able to snap off his route or accelerate through breaks with ease. There’s a reason he’s gotten open so much in his collegiate career, part of which is his understanding of voids and space in defenses.

Hill works the best out of the slot, but has the size and skillset to suggest he can survive outside in the NFL. With his career production, athleticism and talent, he’s a legitimate top-100 draft pick even in the loaded 2020 receiver class.

Erik’s take: The Lions will need to find a starter capable of winning from the slot and Hill brings them everything they are looking for.

Round 4, Pick 106: Damien Lewis, G, LSU

Crabbs player summary:

Damien Lewis projects as a scheme specific starter at the pro level. Lewis doesn’t have a lot of dynamic range and won’t be appealing to zone heavy rushing offenses and even in gap/power schemes he has some limitations that will temper his upside in the lineup. Lewis has enough foot speed, recovery ability and power to execute at an operational level as a starter and he’s at his best when he’s able to combo or block down in the run game. Tight quarters guard.

Erik’s take: Crabbs write-up suggests Lewis may not fit the Lions scheme, but I believe Lewis would challenge at right guard in Spring practices and by the end of training camp, he could end up as the Lions Day 1 starter.

Round 5, Pick 149: Raequan Williams, IDL, Michigan State

Draft Network’s Ben Sloak:

A longer player with great quickness who knows how to slant into gaps and win at the snap. Regularly the first player off the ball, Williams must fix his pad level to become a more effective player, but when he lands his hands inside his opponent, he can displace them frequently, working to a half-man to force the quarterback off his set point.

Erik’s take: Williams is a player the Lions have been scouting for several years now and can take over the previous role occupied by A’Shawn Robinson as a rotational interior defender.

Round 5, Pick 173: AJ Dillon, RB, Boston College

Crabbs player summary:

AJ Dillon projects best as a gap/power rusher at the NFL level. Dillon is at his best as a deep set back who can collect momentum working into the POA and carry his burst through the hole. Asking him to slow play, press the line and read/accelerate out of a cut takes away many of his appealing qualities. In a perfect world, Dillon is a short yardage specialist and/or early down back who can churn out tough yards and keep the offense on schedule with the sticks.

Erik’s take: For the first time this season, we had a vote that landed in a tie. Both AJ Dillon and Nebraska corner Lamar Jackson earned 35.6-percent of the vote and I broke the tiebreaker based on overall talent and year-one impact on the roster.

Round 6, Pick 182: Willie Gay Jr, LB, Mississippi State

Gay’s profile isn’t available yet at Draft Network yet, but he is highly-graded by Pro Football Focus:

Gay is one of the most confounding evaluations at the linebacker position in this class. His movement skills are top-notch for the position. He’ll likely run in at least the 4.5s — if not faster — and gains depth with ease in coverage.

After reeling in a pick-six on his very first drive of the season against Kentucky, Gay was subsequently suspended for undisclosed reasons after the game. The off-field vetting for Gay during the draft process may very well be as important as the on-field.

Erik’s take: Gay’s off-the-field situation may take him off the Lions draft board, but if they can overlook it, he would offer value late on Day 3 of the draft. Personally, I believe the front runner at this pick is likely Texas A&M punter Braden Mann.