2020 NFL Combine winners: Linebackers

Examining and identifying the top on-field linebackers performances from the 2020 NFL Combine.

The 2020 NFL Combine continued their on-field drills on Saturday night, this time featuring interior defensive lineman, EDGE rushers, and linebackers. As always, the workouts begin with the 40-yard-dash, and when they shifted into position drills, we got to see a handful of new drills.

The Lions seem pretty content with their off-the-ball linebackers, but they’re always looking for upgrades and players that can contribute on special teams — which this group is full of. Let’s take a look at those who earned positive marks today.

Isaiah Simmons, Clemson

6-3.5, 238, 40 y/d: 4.39, Vertical: 39″, Broad: 11′

It doesn’t matter if you like him as a linebacker or a safety, Simmons is a playmaker who ran one 4.39 second 40-yards dash and then did a Deion Sanders-like walk off — and most could care less he didn’t do any on-field drills.

With the way the Lions deploy their linebackers, I still believe Simmons is best suited as a hang defender role — similar to Tavon Wilson’s role, taking snaps in the box, over the slot, at MIKE, and single-high safety — in the Lions scheme because it would allow him to operate with more freedom, at all levels of the defense and expand the secondary’s coverage exponentially.

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The biggest obstacle I see with the Lions and Simmons potential marriage is that it goes against tradition for NFL teams to draft off-the-ball players early because of the value they get out of that position. Recently there has been a trend that has seen more off-the-ball prospects selected in the top-10, and Simmons is a special enough talent to keep the trend going, but I’m not sure the Lions are a team that would target him early.

Malik Harrison, Ohio State

6-2.5, 247, short shuttle: 4.32

Harrison, a more traditional style of linebacker for the Lions scheme, took advantage of a couple of key injuries to linebackers rated ahead of him and stole the show. Clearing the Lions’ benchmarks in both jumps and the short shuttle, Harrison is a perfect fit in the Lions scheme if they are looking for an upgrade on Day 2. With the Lions, Harrison would fit in as a WILL with potential to switch with the MIKE on any given play, and would be a nice complement to Jahlani Tavai as a potential starting pair down the road.

Willie Gay Jr., Mississippi State

6-1, 243, 40 y/d: 4.46, short shuttle: 4.3

Gay’s size, speed, and quickness were all on display at the Combine and if he had a clean off-the-field background — he was suspended for eight games last season — he would probably be much higher on the Lions draft board.

Notes:

  • Kenneth Murray (6-2.5, 241, Oklahoma) ran a 4.52 40-yard dash on his first attempt but was injured in his second and unable to finish the day. The testing he was able to complete was all terrific.
  • Casey Toohill (6-4.5, 250, Stanford) hit all the Lions athletic benchmarks, which could get him an undrafted free agent offer from Detroit.

#OnePride 2020 Lions Fan Mock Draft 4.0

The latest edition of #OnePride Fan based mock draft is based on a reader suggested scenario where quarterbacks are selected with the top two picks and allowing Chase Young to fall to the Lions.

Using the Draft Network‘s Mock Draft simulator, we at Lions Wire presented the #OnePride Twitter fan base four options in each round and allowed them to vote on who they would like the team to pick. After making their selection, the simulator picks for the other 31 teams and then the Lions’ fans are back on the clock for another selection.

For clarification, the four best players are selected by a Lions Wire staff editor/writer, but Lions Wire doesn’t vote — unless there is a tie — or influence the voting. Additionally, Lions Wire is not ranking the players where or when they are available — the simulator makes those decisions. We only offer up the best options.

This edition of the #OnePride Mock Draft was based on a scenario suggested by Lions Wire reader David Alexander — The Cincinnatti Bengals select LSU quarterback Joe Burrow with the first overall pick and then a quarterback-needy team trades with Washington to select a healthy Tua Tagovailoa, leaving the Lions with more options with the third pick.

Round 1, Pick 3: Chase Young, EDGE, Ohio State

No surprise, Chase Young received 95-percent of the voting.

This is the exact scenario Lions Wire editor Jeff Risdon suggested in a recent Mock Draft he wrote for Real GM, where the Los Angeles Chargers traded up and Young fell to the Lions at pick three.

Because we are using Draft Network’s simulation in this edition, it makes sense to also use their writers for player summaries. Here is Kyle Crabbs summary on Young:

Chase Young is an elite NFL Draft prospect who can step into any defensive system in the league and find a home in the starting lineup. Young has a surreal potency as a pass rusher, constantly gaining ground, attacking hands and showcasing elite length and flexibility at the top of the arc. Young is a game changing player who opponents will have to cater game plans around in order to negate his disruptive qualities — he’s highly refined with hand tech and should be a splash starter right away.

Erik’s take: No brainer choice here as Young gives the Lions a boost in the pass-rushing department, while also allowing the players around him more freedom to make an impact.

Round 2, Pick 35: Grant Delpit, S, LSU

Crabbs player summary:

Grant Delpit projects as an impact defender at the NFL level. Tackling issues in the open field will put off some teams, but he’s physically capable of booming hits and his foundation as a player is a pretty rare blend of skills — making him an enticing every down defender that can be a centerpiece to weekly game plans. Delpit has high football intelligence and can handle any number of roles or responsibilities, adding him to a roster will add infinite flexibility to back-end coverage combos.

Erik’s take: By adding Delpit, the Lions can drop him at single-high, allowing Tracy Walker more time in his flex (JOKER) role, and shifting Will Harris into a more natural Tavon Wilson-like role.

Round 3, Pick, 67: K.J. Hill, slot WR, Ohio State

Draft Network’s Brad Kelly:

The veteran wideout has a skillset that is predicated on fluidity, able to snap off his route or accelerate through breaks with ease. There’s a reason he’s gotten open so much in his collegiate career, part of which is his understanding of voids and space in defenses.

Hill works the best out of the slot, but has the size and skillset to suggest he can survive outside in the NFL. With his career production, athleticism and talent, he’s a legitimate top-100 draft pick even in the loaded 2020 receiver class.

Erik’s take: The Lions will need to find a starter capable of winning from the slot and Hill brings them everything they are looking for.

Round 4, Pick 106: Damien Lewis, G, LSU

Crabbs player summary:

Damien Lewis projects as a scheme specific starter at the pro level. Lewis doesn’t have a lot of dynamic range and won’t be appealing to zone heavy rushing offenses and even in gap/power schemes he has some limitations that will temper his upside in the lineup. Lewis has enough foot speed, recovery ability and power to execute at an operational level as a starter and he’s at his best when he’s able to combo or block down in the run game. Tight quarters guard.

Erik’s take: Crabbs write-up suggests Lewis may not fit the Lions scheme, but I believe Lewis would challenge at right guard in Spring practices and by the end of training camp, he could end up as the Lions Day 1 starter.

Round 5, Pick 149: Raequan Williams, IDL, Michigan State

Draft Network’s Ben Sloak:

A longer player with great quickness who knows how to slant into gaps and win at the snap. Regularly the first player off the ball, Williams must fix his pad level to become a more effective player, but when he lands his hands inside his opponent, he can displace them frequently, working to a half-man to force the quarterback off his set point.

Erik’s take: Williams is a player the Lions have been scouting for several years now and can take over the previous role occupied by A’Shawn Robinson as a rotational interior defender.

Round 5, Pick 173: AJ Dillon, RB, Boston College

Crabbs player summary:

AJ Dillon projects best as a gap/power rusher at the NFL level. Dillon is at his best as a deep set back who can collect momentum working into the POA and carry his burst through the hole. Asking him to slow play, press the line and read/accelerate out of a cut takes away many of his appealing qualities. In a perfect world, Dillon is a short yardage specialist and/or early down back who can churn out tough yards and keep the offense on schedule with the sticks.

Erik’s take: For the first time this season, we had a vote that landed in a tie. Both AJ Dillon and Nebraska corner Lamar Jackson earned 35.6-percent of the vote and I broke the tiebreaker based on overall talent and year-one impact on the roster.

Round 6, Pick 182: Willie Gay Jr, LB, Mississippi State

Gay’s profile isn’t available yet at Draft Network yet, but he is highly-graded by Pro Football Focus:

Gay is one of the most confounding evaluations at the linebacker position in this class. His movement skills are top-notch for the position. He’ll likely run in at least the 4.5s — if not faster — and gains depth with ease in coverage.

After reeling in a pick-six on his very first drive of the season against Kentucky, Gay was subsequently suspended for undisclosed reasons after the game. The off-field vetting for Gay during the draft process may very well be as important as the on-field.

Erik’s take: Gay’s off-the-field situation may take him off the Lions draft board, but if they can overlook it, he would offer value late on Day 3 of the draft. Personally, I believe the front runner at this pick is likely Texas A&M punter Braden Mann.