The Detroit Lions finally got themselves an EDGE rusher.
One of the few remaining holes on the roster, the team had done nothing to bolster the position group this offseason. That changed in a major way with third-round pick Julian Okwara.
He played the JACK linebacker role at Notre Dame, but his size and strength could land him a spot as a pure defensive end instead. Detroit will have a choice to make, but you can never go wrong with a versatile defensive playmaker like Okwara.
If he goes the JACK linebacker route, he will immediately unseat 2019 fourth-round pick Austin Bryant for that role, and allow newly-signed Jamie Collins and 2019 second-round pick Jahlani Tavai to move around the defense a little more.
If he finds himself lining up as a hand-in-the-dirt defensive end, his older brother, Romeo Okwara, may lose his role on defense. Romeo played more than half of the Lions’ defensive snaps in 2019 at the defensive end position. Starting alongside whichever Okwara brother wins the job is Trey Flowers.
Matt Patricia’s “multiple” defense makes the projected defensive line depth chart hard to sort out. Flowers and Julian Okwara would likely be the starters in Week 1, with Romeo Okwara and “tweener” defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand rotating in often.
Defensive end Jonathan Wynn has the most to lose from the selection of Okwara, as his chances of surviving through roster cuts have diminished immensely. Defensive tackles Frank Herron and Kevin Strong, who have been used as pass rushers on occasion, will see a decrease in snaps as well.
All in all, drafting Okwara is a great move for either position group that he plays in. The Lions have earned themselves a talented and versatile starter on the edge.