Ohio State cornerback Jeff Okudah is the current flavor of the Lions mock draft selection choices at No. 3 overall. Presuming that current popular projection becomes reality, what happens next for the Lions?
Specifically, where would GM Bob Quinn and the team look with the team’s second selection, No. 35 overall in the second round?
There are quite a few paths the Lions can go down with Okudah in the fold in the first round. Without traveling down the “trade up” pathway, here are a few of my preferred routes…
A.J. Epenesa, EDGE, Iowa
During the college season, Epenesa was often projected — often to the Lions — as a top-12 overall pick. The luster faded after his mediocre athletic testing, but that shouldn’t concern teams like Detroit picking in the 26-35 overall range. Here’s why.
Epenesa is a master technician with his hands, shoulders, feet and hips. Being an average athlete didn’t stop him from being wildly productive in college; he’s not dependent upon being a better athlete than the tackle trying to block him, which is not true of several other EDGE prospects in this range and is by far the biggest reason why top-50 pass rushers fail and bust.
Another thing to like about Epenesa is his frame. He played at 275 but has the body structure to get up to the 290 range in the mold of J.J. Watt, capable of playing DE in a 3 or 4-man front. He’s not that dynamic of an athlete (few humans are) but the way Epenesa won in college echoes how Watt thrived at Wisconsin.
Zack Baun, OLB, Wisconsin
Baun was predominately a rush LB for the Badgers, but at his size he projects to move to more of an off-ball LB role in the NFL. Think Joe Schobert, one of his Wisconsin predecessors who just signed a free agent deal for more than $10 million per year with the Jaguars.
Baun is a fantastic athlete still growing into being a linebacker. He was recruited as a dual-threat quarterback, a background that gives him excellent instincts and pre-snap diagnosing ability. Being a pass rusher in college makes Baun a blitz threat, too.
If the Lions are transitioning into more of a permanent 4-man defensive front, and based on their offseason moves that certainly appears likely, Baun fits perfectly as the swift WILL backer to play alongside Jahlani Tavai and Jamie Collins. The issue with taking Baun here is that role is unclearly valued and the Lions still have Jarrad Davis and Christian Jones slated for fairly prominent roles at off-ball LB in 2020.
Yetur Gross-Matos, EDGE, Penn State
If you’re a Lions fan who misses Ezekiel Ansah, Gross-Matos is going to be a player you will like. Much like Ansah, Gross-Matos is a long-limbed, naturally powerful pass rusher who continues to add to his arsenal the more he plays.
He ironed out a lot of the growing pains in 2019, showing more explosive burst and a broader development of countermoves to shed blocks. Gross-Matos is more hit-and-miss in his pass rush and his recognition in run defense right now, which is why a guy who often looks like a surefire top-20 pick would be available in the second round. His upside is peak 2015 Ansah, when “Ziggy” bagged 14.5 sacks and earned a Pro Bowl berth.
K.J. Hamler, WR, Penn State
My personal, and largely unpopular, opinion is the biggest need on the Lions offense is the need for speed. There is also a glaring lack of long-term talent at wide receiver, where no WRs are under contract beyond 2020 and two of the top three (Marvin Jones and Danny Amendola) are on the wrong side of 30.
Put those hands together and clap for Hamler, a dynamic speedster who happens to be a Detroit-area native. His speed is instant and it goes beyond straight-line jets. He’s got impressive wiggle and agility while at top speed, able to shake coverage and set up defenders with false steps, quick jabs and head/shoulder fakes.
Hamler’s lack of size (he’s 5-9/176) will keep him in the slot, at least early on. That’s where his ability to get open quickly and his incredible YAC come into play. Those are qualities the Lions do not have in the offense right now.
Justin Madubuike, DT, Texas A&M
One of the unheralded prospects during the season that I fell in love with while getting caught up on film study, Madubuike reminds me a great deal of 2019 No. 13 overall pick Christian Wilkins. I strongly suspect that had Madubuike played at Clemson like Wilkins did, there’s no chance he would be available to the Lions in the second round.
Like Wilkins, Madubuike is a stocky, gap-shooting interior rusher with a phenomenal first step and enough hand combat technique to follow it up. He’s a very impressive, physical finisher against both the run and the quarterback trying to throw. The biggest drawback, and it’s more pronounced than Wilkins’ struggle with the same issue: if he doesn’t win the first battle on a play, the war is almost certainly lost.
If the Lions are using more even-man fronts in 2020 and beyond, Madubuike is a much better fit than he would be having to 2-gap in an odd front. Drafting him would be a big tipoff at the direction of the defense under new coordinator Cory Undlin.
Neville Gallimore, DT, Oklahoma
The Lions know Gallimore well after coaching him for the Senior Bowl week as part of the North roster. It’s easy to see why the defensive staff would covet the versatile Gallimore, too.
At his best as a shaded NT, Gallimore can also play the upfield 3T role. The Canadian needs some work at economizing his movement and keeping his center of gravity lower; he’s not an anchor inside but rather an attack dog. Playing next to Danny Shelton in Detroit, Gallimore would be able to unleash his impressive athleticism and seek-and-destroy mentality
Of all the players listed, Gallimore would be considered the biggest reach. I believe the Lions will value him more than other teams.
Why no offensive linemen, you might ask? Positional value is the primary answer. If the Lions placed this high of an emphasis on guard play, they wouldn’t have let Graham Glasgow walk. It’s also too high to consider any of the interior linemen that project to be available. This is not a good guard/center draft class.
