Top positions of need for Detroit Lions in the 2020 NFL Draft

3. Edge Defender

While the Detroit Lions absolutely need another edge rusher to pair with star defensive end Trey Flowers, they need to make sure not to overdraft someone like Iowa’s A.J. Epenesa or Alabama’s Terrell Lewis. However, if Ohio State star Chase Young is still there at number three overall, they would be stupid not to select him in a heartbeat.

The Lions were one of the worst teams at pressuring the quarterback in 2019, but will hopefully improve in that area next season. And because of that, it doubled the problems they had with their pass coverage. Right now, the Lions only roster Flowers, Austin Bryant, Romeo Okwara, Frank Herron, and Jonathan Wynn.

Only Flowers has been able to establish himself as a bonafide impact player. Bryant, Wynn, and Herron have rarely taken to the field, and Okwara showed he is better used as a rotation piece and not a full-time starter.

Detroit has got to add a JACK linebacker for sure in the draft, as Bryant is the best pure JACK on the roster. If they accrue an extra pick or two in a trade back then they might add both a JACK and a traditional defensive end, but for right now a stand-up edge rusher is the bigger need.

Looking to the 2020 NFL Draft, Motor City’s football team will probably be keeping an eye on guys such as Chase Young in round one. Come day two, Michigan’s Josh Uche and Bradlee Anae out of Utah will likely be targets of the Detroit Lions. Day three targets would likely include players like Charlotte’s Alex Hightower and Michigan State’s Kenny Willekes.