The ‘what I would do’ Lions mock draft for 2020 from Lions Wire’s Jeff Risdon
We’ve all seen the mock draft projections about what everyone thinks will happen. For this edition, I’m stripping away the reality component. This one is all about what I want.
In this version, I’m grabbing my bat and pretending I’m Bob Quinn, lording over the teleconference and calling the shots from what serves as Allen Park for the weekend.
I’m not reinventing the Lions here. This is a draft designed with Matt Patricia as the coach in mind, because if I’m really Bob Quinn I know that if Patricia can’t get it done, I’m looking for a new job with him.
1st round: Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State
Joe Burrow and Chase Young are off the board as the Lions go on the clock. My goal here would be to try and trade back a handful of spots and still land the best remaining player on the board, Ohio State CB Jeff Okudah. I’m not trading back any farther than what I perceive to be the lowest I can still get Okudah, which is probably the 6-7 overall range.
I’d consider DTs Derrick Brown or Javon Kinlaw in a trade back, but it would have to be a great deal. Tristan Wirfs as a right tackle holds significant appeal in a move back as well. But Matt Patricia’s defense is built upon having great coverage above all else, and there hasn’t been a better CB prospect than Okudah in a long time.
To determine realistic player availability, I ran 10 simulations with The Draft Network’s machine. If a player was available at the pick five or more times, I considered him available. I ruled out all others.
2nd round: A.J. Epenesa, EDGE, Iowa
Epenesa wins as a pass rusher on technique, power and football IQ. All are incredibly well-developed for his position already. Sounds like Trey Flowers, eh? Imagine having two bookends on either a 3- or 4-man front that can win inside or outside thanks to their power-to-speed style and versatile ability.
The one area where Patricia has really implemented being “multiple” on defense is on the line. Epenesa is a perfect piece to add to that front. He’s ready right out of the box and upgrades the pass rush significantly.
3rd round: Laviska Shenault, WR, Colorado
Shenault is a top-25 player on my personal big board. Landing a younger, faster version of Anquan Boldin in the third round is a no-brainer. Shenault has some legit durability concerns, but his ability to win short over the middle bit also deep down the sideline definitely make him worth the risk at the third pick of the third round.
3rd round: Robert Hunt, OL, Louisiana
Hunt plays tackle like a street fighter with a 2 x 4, nasty and powerful and intimidating. He’s 6-5 and 336 but he can move well and has good balance. Hunt played tackle in college and could in a pinch for Detroit, but his NFL home is at right guard. He should be a very good one right away.
4th round: Darrynton Evans, RB, Appalachian State
I profiled Evans earlier this offseason and still strongly believe he’s a perfect fit for the Lions offense. I’m not even considering a running back before this point, and the quality of RBs still on the board here justifies it.
5th round: Lynn Bowden, WR, Kentucky
Another versatile weapon, Bowden is a quicker-than-fast wideout who also happens to be very fast. The ability to make defenders look incompetent in space is something he does very well, and he can do it from the slot or out of the backfield. Bowden takes over the J.D. McKissic role and brings the upside of taking over for Danny Amendola as the slot receiver in 2021 and beyond.
5th round: Raequan Williams, DT, Michigan State
Williams can play the nose tackle position as either a 0- or 1-tech and play it very well. He can 2-gap but will really thrive at soaking up blocks and freeing the LBs to fly around and make plays. Williams is a powerful tackler on the interior with some ability to bull-rush and collapse the pocket from the inside.
6th round: Bryce Huff, EDGE, Memphis
Huff made the cut as the sixth-rounder in the previous “A pass rusher for every round” and I still like the fit. I prefer to roll the dice on high-upside athletes more than high-floor pluggers in the final two rounds. Huff could be an impactful situational rusher right away. Just as easily he could be on three different practice squads by the end of 2021. In the sixth round, I’ll buy that lottery ticket.
7th round: Nathan Rourke, QB, Ohio
My draft, my choices, my quarterback. I’m a proud Ohio Bobcat and watched Rourke do great things as a dual-threat passer in Athens. He’s smart, accurate on the move and can unleash the deep ball. I envision Rourke in Detroit the way the Saints have deployed Taysom Hill, a backup QB who can get on the field on special teams and as a gadget player. “Air Canada” is worth the bottom-of-draft flyer.
