Tag: Jeffery Okduah

Mock draft watch: Defensive help comes to the rescue for the Lions

Draftwire’s Luke Easterling comes up with a 3 round mock and focuses heavily on defense for the Detroit Lions

With the NFL draft inching closer and with the latest news of a “virtual” draft on the horizon, experts are trying to make their final predictions as to what teams might do come draft day. The latest mock draft comes from our brother site Draftwire, where editor Luke Easterling projects a 3-round mock for each team. 

Easterling selected Okudah for the Lions in his last mock draft and decided the fit is too good to change it up. Okudah has been a popular selection for the Lions even before the Darius Slay trade. He is barred none the best cornerback prospect in this draft class and isn’t even close. He will significantly help a Lions secondary who desperately needs someone opposite Desmond Trufant. Okudah’s skill set matches precisely what the Lions are looking for in the cornerbacks and would be a welcomed addition and bring fresh blood into the cornerback room.

Without any trades in this mock, TCU’s defensive lineman Ross Blacklock was tagged as the Lions’ second-round selection. Blacklock is a versatile lineman who can play at the 1 and 3 techs and offers more as a pass rusher than a run stuffer. For a 300 pound behemoth, his athleticism is top-notch, allowing him to bully guards and wreak havoc in the backfield, but may over pursuit from time to time. With the Lions’ potential switch to even man fronts, Blacklock could slide right in a defensive lineup who desperately needs lineman.

Another defensive lineman, the Lions could look to grab who was still available, is Justin Madubuike, who would fit perfectly if the Lions go towards a defensive scheme change.

With their first third selection, fan-favorite, and Senior Bowl standout, Josh Uche was the choice. Uche opened a lot of eyes at the Senior Bowl, especially with Lions, as they got a first-hand look at the versatile defender. He has a rare blend of a sharp bend and twitch, plus with his freakishly long arms, he was able to win on 28.2% of his generated pressures — good for second-best in the FBS.

He is a more athletic version of Devon Kennard but would play more in the WILL position than the JACK because of his strong coverage ability. With how the Lions love players who bring multiple attributes, Uche will be a substantial force for a team that is in a desperate need for an EDGE presence.

The pick the Lions acquired in the Slay trade was used on wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones, their first and only offensive player in this mock. Peoples-Jones production was lacking at his time in Michigan, but the questionable quarterback play did not help him at all. He processes all the athletic traits you are looking for in a receiver, and versatile enough to play at any receiver spot, but probably best as a big slot. Given the Lions need at receiver, this was the best option available this late in the draft.

Easterling does a great job of not only finding players in areas of need, but scheme fits as well for the Lions, especially on the defensive side of the ball. The only area I would’ve addressed earlier is the receiver position. Brandon Aiyuk and K.J. Hamler were available in the second, and Bryan Edwards was there for the Lions’ at the top of the third. I would have no qualms if the Lions tagged one of these receivers in lieu of the other selections.

 

Lions helped in the draft by a Giants move in free agency

The Detroit Lions gain more flexibility in the NFL draft because of a free agency signing from the New York Giants

The Detroit Lions have been one of the more active teams in free agency, signing multiple players and executing trades. Each addition/subtraction will impact the Lions draft plans, but there was one move in free agency that will allow the Lions to have maximum flexibility at the top of the NFL draft — and it wasn’t even a move they made.

In a recent Pro Football Focus article by Michael Renner, he listed several offseason moves that reshaped the first round of the NFL draft. One move he highlighted was the signing of cornerback James Bradberry by the New York Giants.

The Giants were in the market for cornerback help and they went after one of the top available free agents in Bradberry, agreeing to terms on a three year deal worth $45 million with $32 million in guarantees.

Renner points out that the Lions, not the Giants, were likely the biggest winners of this signing because of the secondary ramifications through the draft.

With Bradberry signed to a lucrative contract, it all but takes the Giants out of the running for Jeff Okudah if he is available at pick No. 4 overall. Instead, putting their sights on either offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs or defensive weapon Isaiah Simmons.

With the Giants out of the mix for Okudah, the Dolphins (Pick. No. 5) and Chargers (No. 6) likely focused on quarterbacks, the Lions will have a plethora of possibilities with their top selection.

They can either stay put at pick No. 3 overall and select Okudah — or Chase Young if available — or trade back as far as pick No. 6 overall and likely still land Okudah, plus some additional draft capital.

The Lions have plenty of wiggle in this upcoming draft, thanks to the Giants.