2020 NFL Draft, Day 1, Detroit Lions are on the clock.

Not what I wanted.

With the 3rd overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions select CB Jeff Okudah. Many fans wanted the Lions to trade down using the third overall pick as draft capital to acquire more picks. That didn't happen. Word is there were no solid offers, only general discussion of possibilities, which basically means no team was all that overly interested. If a deal for them was there, then maybe, but if the Lions were serious about any offer needing to be extreme, then it was a no go. Many fans won't think that is the way to go, that any extra pick would be worth it, but that's not how Quinn sees things. He had his target and unless you made such a huge offer as to get him to move off that target, it was never going to happen. That is his operating method and I'm not surprised by it at all.

Many fans including myself preferred that the Lions draft Isaiah Simmons. He can play all over the defense and if used correctly would make a huge impact for his team. A difference maker. The Cardinals drafted him at 8th overall, so we'll see if he used correctly there (I suspect he will be) and just how much of a difference he makes. But we won't be seeing him do that with the Lions.

Other fans had their eyes set on QB Tua Tagovailoa, but that was never going to happen. Those fans just can't fathom that the Lions are quite happy with Stafford as the starting QB. They have absolutely no intention of replacing him any time soon. That doesn't mean a QB won't be drafted at some point, for a 4th camp QB and competition for the backup jobs, but it does mean that high draft capital won't be used at that position.

Another fan favorite was DT Derrick Brown. He will be a pretty good defensive tackle for the Carolina Panthers who drafted him 7th overall in their 4-3 defense. The Lions run very few 4-3 defensive plays however, and Browns talent would've been wasted in the Motor City. The Lions defensive line needs big players who can move, who are strong and can play inside or outside depending on the play set. The big nose tackle, two DT/DE combo players, and outside linebackers to can fill in outside of them on occasion. Look for the Lions to yet draft an EDGE (a bookend to Flowers) and a Jack LB (to rotate in and play coverage or pass rush, depending on the play call). I'm not sure which rounds those picks will come in though.

Anyway, some info on the Lions new CB Jeff Okudah. Drew over at www.theHuddleReport.com has this to say about him:
2020 Player Profiles
Jeff Okudah CB Ohio St
by Drew Boylhart • January 2, 2020

STRENGTHS
Jeff has the size, strength, football intelligence any sure tackling skills to play any one of the defensive back positions in any style defense. He shows the agility, quick feet, and adjustment to the ball in the air to make receivers wish they had his skills. He is smart in zone coverage and communicates well with his teammates showing the leadership needed to become a core player for any style defense at any position as a safety, cornerback or used in the slot. He shows a good burst to the ball and shows solid makeup speed. He can be used as a single free safety because he shows on film the speed, quickness, and football IQ to anticipate and roam from sideline to sideline. Jeff’s best attribute is his passion to impact and understand down and distance. Jeff is a potential shut down defensive player who shows the hands to make interceptions and the size and talent to play any position in your defensive backfield.

CONCERNS
My biggest concern would be trying to replace Jeff’s impact when he gets injured. He throws himself around making tackles and defending passes and this could be a problem staying on the field. Of course, that truly is not a reason to not select him early in this draft, isn’t that obvious?

BOTTOM LINE 1.48
Remember what I always say, “when you see the obvious, you draft the obvious”. Jeff is obvious. Because of his size and skillset and sure tackling Jeff is not only a talented player, he is also a value player and that will make him rated high on most team’s draft boards. Jeff also shows the maturity needed to accept millions of dollars from the team that selects him and still show up for work. He is one of those players that teams will select even if they have depth at the defensive back position because his talent and skillset and size are obvious and you always draft the obvious when it is sitting there right in front of you.
Drew Boylhart
dboylhart@thehuddlereport.com

When you read that you can ascertain what the Lions see in Okudah as a player. It's never good to read just one source though, so allow me to paste a couple tidbits from www.pff.com 's draft guide (it's behind a pay wall):

Ohio State’s Jeffrey Okudah looks to be about as complete a cornerback prospect as we’ve seen in our time grading college football. He’s not only got the on-field performance, but he also has the longest wingspan of any corner in the draft class. There are no sure things at the position, but his on-field dominance and physical tools look close to it.

Okudah really does have it all. The 'cons' on his scouting report were some of the most difficult to write of any prospect in the class. He not only has a high floor, but everything you want for a high ceiling.

Cons:
Needlessly physical down the field. Grabs even in good position because he can get away with it.

Pros:
Ideal size and length for the position. Can execute any coverage asked of him.

No fear of getting beat deep. Longest completion allowed last year was 28 yards.

Exceptional feet for larger corner. Rare to see a slip or stumble on his tape.

Immediately closes space between him and WR. Not content running on back hip.

Jolts WRs in press. Packs a lot of punch.

0 dropped interceptions.

In summary, the Lions weren't able to convert their draft capital into more picks (in the first round, not to say the can't in other rounds). They didn't select the player many fans wanted (there is never a consensus on this anyway). They did select the safer pick, but if he manages to get an interception to seal a win in the playoffs all will be forgiven by nearly everyone I am sure. Now to firm up the rest of the roster in order for the team to even make it to the playoffs. There is still a ton of talent to be found.

Day 2 Round 2 prospects for the Lions (other then a trade down) include:
EDGE A.J. Epenesa
RB Jonathan Taylor
DL Ross Blacklock
OT/OG Erza Cleveland
LB Terrel Lewis
WR/TE Chase Claypool
WR Denzel Mims

and many many others. I listed those above merely due to the fact that the Lions have been tied to each in some form of meetings or other interest.

Me personally, and this won't be popular either, I would love to see either RB Taylor or WR Claypool in round 2.

Day 2 Round 3 prospects for the Lions (other then a trade down) include:
WR K.J. Hamler
S Kyle Dugger
RB Cam Akers
EDGE Curtis Weaver
EDGE Bradlee Anae
DL Raekwon Davis
EDGE Jonathan Greenard

and many others. Again, listed those with ties to the Lions, though technically any Senior could be on the list as the Lions coaching staff were the Senior Bowl coaches for the North team and know many if not most of the players from that.

Lots of talent, lots of options, lots of ways to tick off more fans. What will happen is still a major question mark, but it's still intriguing none the less, and if the picks work out as well as the Lions (and fans) believe, the team gets a talent boost that is sorely needed.