Tag: Julian Okwara

It’s too early to fully judge the Detroit Lions draft class of 2020. The overall positive reception nationally has been refreshing and uplifting, though the players have yet to even set foot in Detroit.

Not every pick made sense. Doubling up at offensive guard and running back, while not necessarily bad choices, is an interesting decision when the team still has other needs that did not get addressed. Here’s an alternative draft to what the Lions and GM Bob Quinn did after Thursday night’s first round, where there should be zero quibbles with the team taking Ohio State CB Jeff Okudah.

Second round

Actual pick: D’Andre Swift, RB, Georgia

Divergent pick: Yetur Gross-Matos, EDGE, Penn State

Instead of taking a running back — any running back, not singling Swift out — the Lions could have addressed the pass rush more prominently. Gross-Matos, who went to the Carolina Panthers at No. 38 overall, is a good scheme fit in Devon Kennard’s old role but with enough strength to also play more with his hand in the dirt in Detroit’s “multiple” front.

Third round

Actual pick. Julian Okwara, EDGE, Notre Dame

Divergent pick: Josh Jones, OT, Houston

This alternate path would have some major ripple effects. Jones is a tackle-only and a developmental project, albeit one with a very high talent and athletic ceiling. He could play right tackle as a rookie and kick high-priced Hal Vaitai into right guard, negating the need to draft an interior lineman. Okwara is a solid pick for sure, but if the Lions land an EDGE earlier he’s superfluous.

Jones wound up being the No. 72 overall pick, five slots later than Okwara. He projects to start right away at left tackle for the Arizona Cardinals.

Actual pick: Jonah Jackson, OG, Ohio State

Divergent pick: Zack Moss, RB Utah

Detroit traded up from 85 to 75 to land Jackson, who is instantly the best guard on the roster. He’s a smart pick, no doubt. But had Quinn held firm, he could have landed the bruising Moss at 85. He’s not as dynamic or as durable as Swift but his grinding style would work quite well in Darrell Bevell’s ground-and-pound offense. Moss went No. 86 to Buffalo. This is much better bang for the draft buck at running back.

Fourth round

Actual pick: Logan Stenberg, OG, Kentucky

Divergent pick: Kevin Dotson, OG, Louisiana

It’s hard to find any draft publication or analyst that ranked Stenberg above Dotson, who came off the board at No. 135 to Pittsburgh. Both are power-oriented guards with poor footwork and movement skills, but Dotson is higher-end athletically and less prone to drive-killing penalties than Stenberg, the No. 121 overall pick. Stenberg’s hyperaggressive attitude and surliness do hold an appeal that Dotson can’t match.

Fifth round

Actual pick: Quintez Cephus, WR, Wisconsin

Divergent pick: Isaiah Coulter, WR, Rhode Island

Cephus thrives as a big slot or physical outside receiver on contested catches, but he might be the slowest WR drafted in years. Coulter offers many of the same skills and outcomes but in a faster, bigger package with bigger hands and blocking skills. He’s not as NFL-ready as Cephus but the Lions don’t need a wideout now, they need one for 2021 and beyond. Coutler was taken five spots later than Cephus, to the Houston Texans.

Actual pick: Jason Huntley, RB, New Mexico State

Divergent pick: Bradlee Anae, EDGE, Utah

I’ve only seen Huntley play once, against Central Michigan in a game where I didn’t pay him enough of a scouting eye, so I can’t confidently comment on what he brings. But rather than doubling up on running back, instead double up on the pass rush. Anae thrived under Matt Patricia’s coaching at the Senior Bowl and he fits the profile of what the team likes as a JACK. The Cowboys drafted Anae seven spots after the Lions took Huntley.

Sixth round

Actual pick: John Penisini, DT, Utah

Divergent pick: James Proche, WR, SMU

Penisini stands a decent chance of being a fantastic late-round steal for Quinn and the Lions; he’s my favorite of the team’s selections after Okudah. In the divergent world, the prolific Proche would spend a season learning under veteran slot Danny Amendola before taking his role over in 2021. Proche proved more dynamic after the catch at the Senior Bowl than he showed in a more limited Mustangs offense in college. He came off the board four spots later than Penisini, to the Ravens.

Seventh round

Actual pick: Jashon Cornell, DE, Ohio State

Divergent pick: Bopete Keys, CB, Tulane

Cornell offers big-game experience and more NFL-ready capability as a DE than the lanky Keys does as a smaller-school corner. Keys went four spots later (to the Chiefs) than Cornell, and he offers size, speed and press-man skills that can, and must, be developed.

[vertical-gallery id=42469]