Tag: No. 3 pick

Trade rumors involving Lions and Dolphins continue to swirl

Trade rumors involving the Detroit Lions and the Miami Dolphins continue to swirl leading up to the 2020 NFL Draft.

While our Jeff Risdon recently noted that rumors surrounding teams trading up for Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa are basically dead — the trade rumors at the top of the 2020 NFL Draft have persisted.

The latest reports involving a potential trade between the Detroit Lions and the Miami Dolphins don’t involve Tagovailoa, but instead an unnamed offensive tackle — suggesting the Dolphins want to get ahead of the New York Giants and their No. 4 overall pick.

Yesterday, NBC Sports’ Julie Donaldson was first to suggest this possibility, noting that she had heard this from “multiple sources”:

Today, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport tweeted a similar report and the Athletic’s Chris Burke noted that Lions general manager Bob Quinn has anticipated this since the NFL Combine:

It’s generally not a smart investment to put too much stock in rumors less than 48 hours away from the draft, but as Burke noted, this type of trade has had legs since the Combine back in February.

So maybe this rumor has a bit more substance… but probably not.

But maybe.

Lions mock draft roundup: 5 main scenarios present themselves

With the 2020 NFL Combine behind us, Mock Drafts have placed the Detroit Lions into five common scenarios, all of them with positive outcomes.

With the 2020 NFL Combine behind us, local and national Mock Drafts have settled in on five common scenarios for the Detroit Lions, all of them with positive outcomes.

One big change of note: after being routinely mocked to the Lions leading up to the Combine, a sub-par performance from Derrick Brown (DT, Auburn) has all but eliminated him from being mocked to the Lions, even in trade back situations.

With Brown more-or-less off the board in the top-5 and the consistent positive medical reports on Tua Tagovailoa (QB, Alabama), Chase Young (EDGE, Ohio State) has been connected to the Lions more and more.

Chase Young at pick No. 3

Currently being mocked by Kyle Meinke (MLive), Chad Reuter (NFL.com), Mike Renner (PFF), Josh Norris (Rotoworld), and Jeff Risdon (RealGM)

Meinke: “Todd McShay gives it a 10-15% percent chance of happening. I think that’s ridiculous. Assuming Burrow goes first overall, which everyone assumes, all it takes is for one team to need a quarterback badly enough for it to happen. The Dolphins, Chargers and Panthers are all picking in the top 10 and need a quarterback. Washington could use Tua too. There is nothing more valuable than a good quarterback on a rookie contract, and I think the odds are good someone makes it happen before Detroit is on the clock. In which case, the Lions stumble into the best pass-rushing prospect in years. What a coup that would be for the Lions and their embattled defense, which had maybe the least effective pass rush in the league last year.”

Risdon: “If he’s still on the board, and he is in this scenario, Chase Young will be the pick. If he’s not, I expect Jeff Okudah and that’s independent of what happens with Darius Slay.”

Jeffrey Okudah at pick No. 3

Currently being mocked by Daniel Jeremiah (NFL.com), Tom McShay (ESPN, $), Kyle Crabbs (The Draft Network), and Trevor Sikkema (The Draft Network)

Sikkema: “Jeff Okudah was impressive during Combine week, even if his workout didn’t live up to the unrealistic hype some placed on him before the day began. His weigh-in measurements looked like God built him specifically to play shutdown corner; his interview session was prepared, confident and personable, and the numbers he did put up during the athletic testing was more than fine.”

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Jeffrey Okudah after a trade down

Currently being mocked by Mike O’Hara (DetroitLions.com), Luke Easterling (Draft Wire), and Carter Donnick (The Draft Network)

Easterling: “No matter what happens with Darius Slay, Okudah is the best blend of need and value here, as easily the top corner in this year’s class. He has all the physical and mental tools to be an immediate impact player for a defense that desperately needs more of them.”

Isaiah Simmons at pick No. 3

Currently being mocked by Dane Brugler (The Athletic, $), Chris Burke (The Athletic, $), Nick Baumgardner (The Athletic, $), and Bucky Brooks (NFL.com)

Burke: “I keep going back and forth on this, and I don’t have anything at stake so I empathize with what Bob Quinn will be facing, but I’m going to go with Isaiah Simmons here. And the simplest way I can explain why is that I’m looking at a free-agent cornerback class that could include guys like Byron Jones, Chris Harris, James Bradberry and Logan Ryan — all potential No. 1 cornerbacks (maybe No. 2 for Ryan, in an ideal setup). There are ways to find starting cornerbacks, via free agency or a trade.”

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Isaiah Simmons after a trade down

Currently being mocked by Ben Raven (MLive)

Raven: “Throw the questions about Simmons’ position and size out the window. The do-it-all defender feels and has the looks of a perfect prospect for Matt Patricia’s defense. Not just looking at the scheme, but examining the holes that Simmons could fill on the roster as currently projected.”

Bob Quinn open to trade talks for No. 3 pick

Detroit Lions general manager Bob Quinn hasn’t begun any trade discussions for the No. 3 pick, but he’s open to the idea of making a deal.

When the 2019 regular season ended with the Detroit Lions record of 3-12-1, the silver lining was obtaining a top-three pick in the 2020 NFL Draft to address some of the team’s needs. Not only do the Lions hold the power to draft a player to make an immediate impact, but they are keeping an open mind and also could trade down to generate more value for that pick.

Recently, Lions general manager, Bob Quinn sat down with Lions multi-media reporter Tori Petry, he talked about the possibility of trading the pick. “Yeah, open to any trades,” Quinn said. “The higher up in the draft you are, the sooner those conversations usually begin.”

“I have not had any trade conversations with anybody as of yet,” Quinn continued. “Those usually tend to start in the Combine.”

With teams and players arriving at the 2020 NFL Combine today — on-field workouts begin February 27th — you can expect the rumor mill to start swirling in full force surrounding any potential moves the Lions will make at any time.

At the 2:50 mark, you can hear directly from Quinn himself discussing his stance on trading the teams pick and moving back in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Lions keeping an open mind on all positions heading into the draft

General manager Bob Quinn spoke about his draft process and said the team will be keeping an open mind on all position groups.

General manager Bob Quinn recently sat down with Detroit Lions multi-media reporter Tori Petry and discussed several topics ranging from the Stafford trade rumors to recent coaching hires.

With the 2020 NFL Combine about to kick-off, it will be a good time for Quinn and his staff to get a better feel for potential prospects. With a bevy of options with another Top-10 selection this year, Quinn is keeping an approachable outlook on all position groups.

“We’re not ruling out anything right now,” Quinn said. “I think we’re still in the evaluation mode. Which we’re probably a bit ahead of the game, from going to the Senior Bowl and having that experience with those guys down there. Way too early to narrow it down to one position or one player. I think we’re going to the Combine with an open mind.”

The Lions had the opportunity to coach the North team at this year’s Senior Bowl and got a leg up on their evaluation process with all the participating senior players. For all intents and purposes, the Lions took full advantage, allowing them the chance to spend more time with the record setting 115 underclassmen player class this year. Especially the likes of underclassmen Chase Young, Jeffery Okduah, and Derrick Brown, who all have been heavily linked to the Lions.

“All the underclassmen are brand new to us,” Quinn continued. “And obviously, there’s a lot of them this year that are going to be at the Combine. It’s really going to be our first exposure to them in an interview setting. So, a lot of things can change.”

With the Combine interview process changing this year, cutting the number of prospect interviews from 60 to 45 but increasing the time from 15 to 18 minutes, teams will be selective on whom they interview this year. With the Lions already, getting a first-hand look at the seniors, expect the majority of their interviews to be with the underclassmen through various position groups.

With all the recent quarterback speculation, I am sure people will read too much into this and take it out of context, thinking the Lions will be looking at quarterbacks to replace Stafford. The Lions are doing their due diligence like any good team should this time of year, especially with how high of a draft selection they have. The Lions are scouting not just for a draft process, but looking to gain an edge if they end up playing against the players next season.

Quinn will be bringing his entire staff down for the Combine, allowing for maximum coverage and availability to look at every prospect possible making sure they don’t shut the door on any potential prospects. It would be ill-advised for the Lions to exclude any positions at this time, especially since free agency has not begun and anything could change from now to draft day.

Lions mock draft roundup: Chase Young becoming a real possibility

Another week examining the most recent 2020 mock drafts and the same three prospects continue to be mocked to the Lions.

Another week examining the most recent 2020 mock drafts and while the majority of analysts are still connecting the Detroit Lions to Jeffrey Okudah, Derrick Brown, and Isaiah Simmons, a new name is showing up with more frequency — Chase Young.

Let’s take a closer look at what has changed this week.

EDGE Chase Young, OSU (6-5, 265)

Currently being mocked by Kyle Meinke (MLive) and Jeff Risdon (Lions Wire, Real GM), and Fansided Mock Draft Staff.

Meinke: “Nobody stands to benefit from a run on quarterbacks more than Detroit, which already has a franchise quarterback playing at a high level. Of course, it still lost 12 games last year because of a near-historically bad defense. There was no bigger reason for that than their pass rush, which was among the league’s worst. This defense won’t work without better performances up front, and Young just so happens to be the best pass rusher in this draft. Hell, he might be the best defensive prospect overall. As long as you have a quarterback in place, you don’t pass up the opportunity to lock in a playmaking pass rusher on a cost-controlled contract like this. Detroit won’t.”

CB Jeffrey Okudah, OSU (6-1, 200)

Currently being mocked by, Maurice Jones-Drew (NFL), 

Eric Edholm (Yahoo), John McClain and Aaron Wilson (Houston Chronicle), Jon Ledyard (Pewter Report), Clint Lamb (Roll Tide Wire), Will Brinson (CBS Sports), Joe Tansey (Bleacher Report), Zach Buckley (BR), Kristopher Knox (BR), Draft Tek Staff, among others, that you can find at NFL Mock Database

Edholm: “In our previous mock, we had Auburn DT Derrick Brown at this spot. Our estimation is that the Lions have three options right now: trade down (for a Tua team), or stay put and take either Okudah or Brown. And depending on how far they move down, the Lions might be able to have their cake and eat it, too. But in this scenario, the Lions nab the best cover man in the draft. With Darius Slay’s future in Detroit unclear, it would make a lot of sense.”

Ledyard: “I’m not doing trades in this mock draft, but even if I was, the Lions might want to stay put. The long-armed and rangy Okudah is exceptionally talented and fills a huge need for Detroit opposite Darius Slay. Moving back even two spots could mean missing out on this young, talented cornerback.”

DT Derrick Brown, Auburn (6-5, 325)

Currently being mocked by RJ White (CBS Sports), Matthew Tabeek (Atlanta Falcons), Charlie Campbell (Walter Football), Eddie Brown (San Diego Union-Tribune), and Brad Weiss (NFL Mock Draft)

White: “The Lions can use help at a lot of positions, and could even consider going QB here. But Brown gets the edge over Jeff Okudah due to the completeness of his game, and the Lions are losing a lot of snaps at DT to free agency.”

LB Isaiah Simmons, Clemson (6-3, 228)

Currently being mocked by A.J. Fagerlin (NFL Mocks)

Fagerlin: “Sure, the Lions could use another corner to pair with Darius Slay, but Simmons brings so much more to the table. Simmons fits extremely will in Patricia’s scheme as the extra safety/linebacker on the field in sort of a nickel role. He can play defensive end, MIKE linebacker, outside corner and everything in between. The versatility and proven production that Simmons offers are too much to pass up for a defensive head coach that is firmly on the hot seat heading into the season.”

Trades

Luke Easterling (Draft Wire): Lions trade pick No. 3 to the Miami Dolphins for picks No. 5 and No. 26 overall. The Lions selected Jeffrey Okudah, CB, OSU at five and Yetur Gross-Matos, EDGE, LSU at 26.

Dan Kadar (SB Nation): Lions trade pick No. 3 to the Miami Dolphins for picks No. 5 and No. 19 overall. The Lions selected Jeffrey Okudah, CB, OSU at five and K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE, LSU at 19.

Ryan Wilson (CBS Sports): Lions trade pick No. 3 to the Miami Dolphins for picks No. 5 and No. 39 overall. Then they trade pick No. 5 to the Indianapolis Colts for picks No. 13 and No. 34. The Lions selected K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE, LSU at 13 and enter Round 2 with picks 34, 35, and 39.

Chris Trapasso (CBS Sports): Lions trade pick No. 3 to the Miami Dolphins for picks No. 5 and undisclosed additional picks. The Lions selected Jeffrey Okudah, CB, OSU at pick No. 5.

Josh Edwards (CBS Sports): Lions trade pick No. 3 to the Miami Dolphins for picks No. 5 and undisclosed additional picks. The Lions selected Jeffrey Okudah, CB, OSU at pick No. 5.

Neal Driscoll (PFN): Lions trade pick No. 3 to the Miami Dolphins for picks No. 5 and No. 56 overall, as well as a 2021 2nd round pick. The Lions selected Jeffrey Okudah, CB, OSU at five and Julian Okwara, EDGE, Notre Dame at 56.

Ian Wharton (Sportsbook review): Lions trade pick No. 3 to the Miami Dolphins for picks No. 5 and “a second-rounder”. The Lions selected Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn at five.

Lions mock draft roundup: Is a Top-3 prospect pool emerging?

Another week examining the most recent 2020 mock drafts and the same three prospects continue to be mocked to the Lions: Jeffrey Okudah, Derrick Brown, and Isaiah Simmons.

Another week examining the most recent 2020 mock drafts and the same three prospects continue to be mocked to the Lions: Jeffrey Okudah, Derrick Brown, and Isaiah Simmons.

Writers are beginning to incorporate trades into their mock drafts, which shakes things up a bit, but if the Lions stay at pick No. 3, the general consensus seems to be that they’ll grab one of the three players mentioned above.

Let’s take a closer look at what has changed this week.

CB Jeffrey Okudah, OSU (6-1, 200)

Currently being mocked by, USA Today’s Nate Davis, ESPN’s Todd McShay, NFL.com’s Chad Reuter, CBS Sports’ Ryan Wilson, Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller, Kristopher Knox, Scott Polacek, and Joe Tansey, Pro Football Network’s Nick Farabaugh, Fantasy Pros’ Bobby Sylvester, Baltimore Sun’s C.J. Doon, NJ.com’s Darryl Slater, Bleeding Green Nation’s Ben Natan, NFL Mocks’ Branden Peplowski, With the First Pick’s Nicholas Perlich, among others, that you can find at NFL Mock Database

Reuter: “Okudah’s speed, size and length offer a rare combination at the position. The Lions allowed a league-worst 284.4 pass yards a game in 2019 and tied for the fewest interceptions in the league (seven).”

Wilson: “Okudah’s effort vs. Clemson in the Fiesta Bowl last month was the closest thing we’ve seen to a shutdown corner during the ’19 season; he put the clamps on Tee Higgins and Justyn Ross for most of the night and solidified his place as the No. 1 cornerback in this draft class.”

Miller: “The Lions have several needs, most on defense, and could also look at auctioning off this selection to a team like the Miami Dolphins who want to trade up for a quarterback. In a mock draft without trade predictions, what makes the most sense is drafting a shutdown cornerback prospect who is solid on and off the field with excellent size (6’1″, 200 lbs), instincts, toughness and character.”

DT Derrick Brown, Auburn (6-5, 325)

Currently being mocked by Detroit News’ Justin Rogers, SB Nation’s Dan Kadar, and Cover 1’s Russell Brown

Rogers: “Ideally, the Lions are able to trade down from this spot, pick up some extra draft equity and still get one of the top defenders on their board. Staying put, the polished and productive interior lineman fills one of Detroit’s biggest needs, which only becomes more glaring if “Snacks” Harrison retires.”

Kadar: “For as easy as it is to predict Young to Washington, it’s still difficult to get a grasp on what the Lions could do with the third overall pick. This could be a spot for a trade up if Miami gets anxious about missing out on Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. The Lions could also go a few different directions if they make the pick. This week, it’s Brown, the brutish defensive lineman who pushes blockers around with ease.”

Brown: “Truly, the Lions should trade back regardless of what offer presents itself. By the time we get to April, defensive tackle could be their biggest need. Brown is the most disruptive interior defensive lineman in this class and he’d be a perfect fit in Patricia’s multiple front defense.”

LB Isaiah Simmons, Clemson (6-3, 228)

Currently being mocked by CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards, Cover 1’s Christian Page, NFL Draft Lounge’s Eric Kirschbaum, and Blogging the Boys’ David Howman

Edwards: “Detroit is an interesting team early in the draft. They could trade the pick to a team looking to trade up for a quarterback or could take the best player on their board. Simmons is a defensive chess piece that will elevate everyone’s play.

Page: “Simmons would be an ideal candidate to play matchup-specific coverage similar to how Matt Patricia used Patrick Chung in New England, among others.”

Trades

Draft Wire’s Luke Easterling: Lions trade pick No. 3 to the Miami Dolphins for picks No. 5 and No. 26 overall. The Lions selected Jeffrey Okudah, CB, OSU at five and Yetur Gross-Matos, EDGE, Penn State at 26.

PFF’s Mike Renner: Lions trade pick No. 3 to the Miami Dolphins for picks No. 5 and No. 26 overall. The Lions selected Jeffrey Okudah, CB, OSU at five and Utah State’s Jordan Love at 26.

With the First Pick’s Randy Gurzi: Lions trade pick No. 3 to the Miami Dolphins for picks No. 5 and No. 26 overall. The Lions selected Isaiah Simmons, S/LB, Clemson at five and K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE, LSU at 26.

Mockout’s Micky McKeon: Lions trade pick No. 3 to the Las Vegas Raiders for picks No. 12 and 19 in the first round. Lions grab K’Lavon Chaisson, JACK, LSU at 12 and Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU at 19.