With the first of two fifth-round selections, the Lions selected WR Quintez Cephus with the 166th overall pick to assist the receiving corps.
Cephus was a three-year starter who lined up both inside and outside in a pro-style offense while at Wisconsin. He missed the entire 2018 season, expelled from school after he was arrested on multiple sexual assault charges — something that he was later acquitted for.
When he returned to school, he went on to lead the team in receiving yards with 901 while also recording seven touchdowns in the process this past season.
Cephus is a big-bodied receiver who has great length that allows him to have an expanded catch radius. He has the strength to break the first tackle and elusiveness to create yards after the catch with his excellent body control. With the Lions focus on the run, his physicality will allow him to block and make contested catches.
Cephus doesn’t process good long speed limiting his effectiveness and will mostly like land inside the majority of the time. His route running needs refinement, taking unnecessary steps, and at time rounding breaks. He was responsible for six drops last season, leading to some questions with his focus.
Cephus processes the right traits that could make him a successful receiver, but he needs refinement with his route running and focus. The speed will be a concern, but he does have the versatility to line up inside and out. Newly drafted Lion Jeff Okduah named him as the toughest receiver he has played against. The tools are there; it will just be a matter of putting it all together.
