Hard to believe the 2020 NFL Draft was nearly a month ago. With the reports trickling in of the Lions draft picks starting to sign, it’s time to turn back to the draft and look at what some of the Detroit rookies can accomplish in the upcoming season.
Here are early stabs at what four members of the Lions draft class will do in their rookie campaigns.
Jeff Okudah will win the NFL Rookie of the Week three times
The No. 3 overall pick will match his draft slot with the number of times he captures the weekly top rookie honors in 2020. Okudah has a great chance to make an impact in Detroit’s man-heavy defense with his ball skills, coverage acumen and quiet confidence. Teams figure to try and challenge the rookie early, too.
Winning the most Rookie of the Week honors oddly doesn’t equate to winning NFL Rookie of the Year, however. Last year, Jaguars QB Gardner Minshew won the weekly honor seven times, but the yearly award went to 49ers DE Nick Bosa, who didn’t capture one single weekly honor. In 2018, Browns QB Baker Mayfield also won the weekly award seven times but lost out to three-time weekly winner, Saquon Barkley.
Jonah Jackson starts all 16 games at left guard
In watching Jonah Jackson play right guard at both Ohio State and Rutgers in college, it’s clear that he’s a pass-blocking specialist. His footwork, his hand placement and his mentality are all geared for keeping his quarterback upright much more than they are clearing holes and sealing gaps for runners.
Combine that with the other guards on the roster and it spells Jackson making the transition to the left side. Holdover Kenny Wiggins is better on the right, while fellow rookie Logan Stenberg is a run-blocking menace to defenses. Most offenses prefer to have their left guard be the best pass protector, and Darrell Bevell’s unit in Detroit is no different. Jackson should supplant veteran Joe Dahl in training camp and become ensconced as the full-time starter.
Quintez Cephus will only catch 7 passes as a rookie
Not every prediction calls for positive outcomes. In the case of fifth-round pick Quintez Cephus, the payoff isn’t likely to come in his rookie year.
When training camp finally commences, Cephus will already be looking up on the depth chart at Kenny Golladay, Marvin Jones, Danny Amendola and likely Geronimo Allison and Chris Lacy at wide receiver. All but Allison have experience in the offense, something that will be tough for Cephus to get during the pandemic restrictions.
The offense will also use tight end T.J. Hockenson and running backs Kerryon Johnson, D’Andre Swift and either Ty Johnson or Jason Huntley as receivers quite a bit overall. That leaves little opportunity for Cephus to get touches as a rookie.
Predicted stat line: 7 catches on 11 targets, 53 yards, 1 TD. It’s much more a reflection of realistic opportunity than it is any indictment on Cephus and his ability.
John Penisini will play more snaps than any other 6th round defensive player in this class
The Lions caught a rising star in the sixth round in John Penisini. The sturdy defensive tackle from Utah is a perfect fit for Matt Patricia’s “multiple” defensive front with his ability to maintain leverage in any gap and quickly close rushing holes.
New starter Danny Shelton is at his best when playing around 55-65 percent of the snaps. That leaves a meaty role for Penisini as the top interior reserve. But Penisni can also stay on the field with Shelton in short-yardage and red zone packages. Expect him to play about 40 percent of the team’s defensive snaps, which is more than any other defender taken in the sixth round this year will get as a rookie.
