Despite not having a general manager or head coach in place, the Detroit Lions need to still be making preparations for the 2021 NFL draft, and that means scouting tonight’s college football national championship.
The Alabama Crimson Tide will be taking on the Ohio State Buckeyes at 8:00 pm, EST on several ESPN platforms.
Not only does this game offer the Lions options for the seventh overall pick in the 2021 draft, but there are also options for picks 41 and 72, the Lions current second and third-round picks respectively.
Quarterbacks
Justin Fields Ohio State, Jr (6-2.5, 223)
Mac Jones, Alabama, redshirt Jr (6-2, 205)
Fields is one of the top players in this class and appears on track to be selected in the Top-10. His combination of athleticism, accuracy, arm strength, and leadership make him a very appealing option for a team looking to rebuild. If the Lions are executing a full reset at quarterback, and Fields is available when it’s their selection, he could very well be their top choice.
If the Lions opt to delay selecting a quarterback until Day 2, Jones could be in the mix. More of a traditional pocket passer, Jones has solid arm strength and can hit his targets at all three levels. If the Lions stick with a basic west-coast-themed offense, Jones would fit in well and could develop into a starter down the road.
Running backs
Najee Harris, Alabama (6-1.5, 230)
Trey Sermon, Ohio State (6-0, 221)
Harris’ combination of athleticism and power is going to make him a coveted back in this cycle, but the Lions have already invested high picks in D’Andre Swift and Kerryon Johnson, making Harris an unlikely selection in this draft.
Sermon also plays with great power/contact balance, and would be ideal as a complement to a running back tandem that features an elusive runner and third-down back tandem like the Lions. If he lands on Day 3 of the draft, he should get some attention from Detroit, regardless of the scheme.
Wide receivers/Tight ends
Devonta Smith, WR, Alabama (6-0, 175)
Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama, Jr (5-10, 182)
Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State, Jr (6-0, 188)
Jeremy Ruckert, TE, Ohio State, Jr (6-5, 250)
Smith and Waddle are both options to be selected in the Top-10, with both being instant impact contributors.
Smith — this year’s Heisman Trophy winner — is a dominating receiver, who cannot be covered one-on-one by college defensive backs. His combination of explosiveness, precise route-running, and sure handedness make him a top option in this class. My NFL comparison for Smith is a cross between Marvin Harrison and Antonio Brown.
Waddle’s game is built on elite speed and big-play ability. If you like Tyreek Hill, Waddle is the receiver for you.
Olave is the buckeye’s big-play option. His ability to gain separation and track the deep ball makes him an ideal wide receiver No. 2 with upside. He should hear his name called on the second day of the draft.
Right now, Ruckert looks like an early Day 3 option at tight end. He has the potential to be a complementary blocking tight end who can be relied upon in the passing game.
Offensive line
Wyatt Davis, OG, Ohio State, redshirt Jr (6-3, 313)
Alex Leatherwood, OT/G, Alabama (6-5, 310)
Landon Dickson, C, Alabama (6-5, 344)
Josh Meyers, C, Ohio State, redshirt jr (6-4, 310)
Deonte Brown, G, Alabama, (6-4, 338)
The first four players in this section look like Top-100 selections and could be among the first five players drafted at their positions – depending on where teams project playing them. Brown is on the fringe, but could still find his way into Day 2 of the draft.
The Lions surely got a long look at Davis and Meyers when scouting Jonah Jackson last year. Jackson held down the Buckeye’s left guard spot, while Davis started at right guard, with Meyers in between them. It’d cost the Lions another Day 2 pick, but either would be a big step towards solidifying the Lions’ offensive line.
In tonight’s championship game, keep an eye on Alabama’s left side where Leatherwood is their left tackle, and Brown is their left guard. Unfortunately, Dickson is injured his knee in the SEC championship game and won’t play tonight.
Defensive line
Christian Barmore, DT, Alabama, redshirt sophomore (6-5, 310)
Tommy Togiai, DT, Ohio State, Jr (6-2, 300)
Haskell Garrett, DT, Ohio State (6-2, 286)
LaBryan Ray, DT, Alabama (6-5, 292)
Typically the defensive lines on these teams are flush with talent, but outside of Baramore, the other three seem like Day 3 options.
Baramore played as one of Alabama’s three down linemen, filling the same role Da’Shawn Hand held during his time with the Crimson Tide. Like Hand, Baramore is likely best as a 3-technique at the pro level and will receive varying scouting grades depending on the scheme the team runs. In the Lions’ previous scheme, he probably would’ve been a top-50 pick, but with the Lions scheme up in the air, it’s hard to place value on him at this time.
Linebackers
Dylan Moses, Alabama, redshirt Jr (6-2, 235)
Baron Browning, Ohio State, (6-2, 248)
Pete Werner, Ohio State (6-2, 239)
Moses looked like a surefire first-round pick before tearing his ACL last season and opting to return to school. This year he looks like he is still shaking off the injury, but if he passes medicals and teams believe he can return to form, he could be nice value in the second round.
Browning is a freaky athlete with the tools to succeed but hasn’t put it all together on the field consistently. His stock will range all over depending on how much value teams put on testing. Werner doesn’t quite have Browning’s athleticism, but he has terrific range, intelligence, and work ethic.
Defensive backs
Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama, Jr (6-1, 203)
Shaun Wade, Slot DB, Ohio State, redshirt Jr ((6-0, 194)
Josh Jobe, CB, Alabama, Jr (6-0, 189)
Surtain is in the mix to be the top cornerback selected in this cycle and could hear his name called in the Top-10 picks. It would be very out of the box for the Lions to take back-to-back Top-10 corners, so don’t get your hopes up he will land in Detroit.
Wade, though, should be very much in the mix. He held down the nickel spot for the Buckeyes in 2019, but after Okudah left — and was drafted by the Lions — Wade shifted outside and has not performed as well. At the next level, Wade seems much better suited shifting to a hybrid role — where he can play in nickel sets at corner and safety, while also having the range to play situationally on the outside.
Big and aggressive, Jobe is still too raw to be considered a high-round draft pick and maybe better suited to return to school for more polish. If he does declare, the Lions could find value in a few years by drafting, stashing, and waiting for him to develop.