2020 NFL Draft: Grading and analyzing all 255 picks for all 32 teams
Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. 4th place. . NFC North. Detroit Lions. player. 50
2020 NFL Draft Picks
- 1. CB Jeffrey Okudah, Ohio State
- 2. RB D’Andre Swift, Georgia
- 3a. EDGE Julian Okwara, Notre Dame
- 3b. OL Jonah Jackson, Ohio State
- 4. OL Logan Stenberg, Kentucky
- 5a. WR Quintez Cephus, Wisconsin
- 5b. RB Jason Huntley, New Mexico State
- 6. DL John Penisini, Utah
- 7. DL Jashon Cornell, Ohio State
Top pick: Jeffrey Okudah, CB, Ohio State
The Lions undoubtedly had to address the cornerback position after trading away Darius Slay to the Philadelphia Eagles.
After signing Justin Coleman last year and Desmond Trufant this year, the addition of Okudah should help revitalize Detroit’s defense. He was unquestionably the most dominant corner in college football this past season, and has the ability to shut down his side of the field.
Steal: D’Andre Swift, RB, Georgia — 2nd round
Although he was a high second-round pick, D’Andre Swift could wind up being one of the top steals of the 2020 NFL Draft.
He was RB1 on many draft boards and the Lions certainly struggled last season with Kerryon Johnson struggling with injuries.
Swift was a player some considered a top 20 talent in this draft and he gives the Lions a true three-down back who can make an impact immediately.
Overall Grade: B+
The pick of Jeffrey Okudah up top was necessary and widely expected.
The D’Andre Swift pick was a surprise, but a nice way for the Lions to show they were sticking to their board and picking the best player on it at that time.
Julian Okwara has flashed first-round potential in the past but lasted until round three because there is some inconsistency there. It’s fun that the Lions reunited him with his big brother Romeo, and perhaps he can provide them some much-needed juice off the edge.
The back-to-back interior OL selections of Jonah Jackson and Logan Stenberg could prove to be some of the shrewdest by the Lions. Jackson could start for them as a rookie to replace Graham Glasgow and Stenberg has starter qualities as well.
In the fifth round, the Lions took some shots on offensive skill players, snatching the talented Quintez Cephus out of Wisconsin who can make an impact right away, as well as a possible small school gem in New Mexico State’s Jason Huntley.
Huntley was a dynamic playmaker for the Aggies.
John Penisini and Jashon Cornell are both role players from really good college defenses who could factor into the Lions’ depth on the defensive line either this year or down the road after some more development.