With pick No. 235 of the 2020 NFL Draft, the 21st pick in the seventh round, the Lions select defensive lineman Jashon Cornell, Ohio State. This is the third Ohio State player the Lions have selected in this draft class — Jeff Okudah and Jonah Jackson being the other two.
After taking a run-stuffing interior defender in John Penisini in the sixth round, the Lions landed a Big DE (think Da’Shawn Hand’s role) in Cornell.
At 6-3, 287 pounds, Cornell tried to break in the defensive end rotation at Ohio State, and spend a few years rotating between defensive end and defensive tackle, but last season he shifted inside on a regular basis and found more success — 6.5 tackles for loss and four sacks in 2019.
OhioSt DL Jashon Cornell is making his presence felt as a senior. While not the largest lineman, at 3T or 5T he can use his quickness to win up front. #SnapScout pic.twitter.com/xdEv8dDeFZ
— Chad Reuter (@chad_reuter) November 13, 2019
Jashon Cornell (@JayRock_9) with the hesi/club/arm over sack. Big play by the fifth-year senior #Buckeyes pic.twitter.com/2Ps6zoq2g4
— DLineVids (@dlinevids1) December 8, 2019
Cornell won’t be able to touch Hands snaps, but last year’s undrafted free agent darling Kevin Strong should feel a bit of pressure. While Cornell can’t match Strong’s first step, he does possess an arsenal of pass-rushing moves which will allow him to win in a variety of ways.
Cornell was the Lions final selection in the 2020 NFL Draft.