Spring Break is rapidly coming to a close, but there’s one last day for most to enjoy a respite from school and (in many cases) work. What better way to enjoy it than by fantasizing about what the Lions are going to do in the NFL draft in less than three weeks?
As with the last edition, this scenario involves players I believe Bob Quinn and the Lions might select in the given picks. I tried to keep the available players realistic for each round based on rankings from Draft Wire, The Draft Network, CBS Sports and other projected draft ranges.
Before the Lions pick at No. 8, here are the players already off the board in no particular order: Quinnen Williams, Nick Bosa, Kyler Murray, Devin White, Josh Allen, Jawaan Taylor, Daniel Jones.
First round: Ed Oliver, DL, Houston
The Lions don’t really need an interior defensive lineman. Detroit’s DL is already one of the best in the league with Damon Harrison, Da’Shawn Hand and A’Shawn Robinson, with Trey Flowers and Romeo Okwara both capable of playing with hands in the dirt too.
But Oliver’s obvious physical skills and positional versatility might make him too good to pass up. It’s the Aaron Donald argument all over again; bypassing a player who could very well be a transcendent talent because there are good players already at those positions.
Would Quinn buy into that rationale? He wasn’t in Detroit in 2014, but there are other examples from around the league in recent years, too. In this scenario, Quinn pulls the trigger on a player almost universally projected as the No. 1 player in this draft class as recently as October.
Day Two
Second round: Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, DB, Florida
A muscular presence at the back of the Gator defense, Gardner-Johnson fits the mold of the “playmaker” Quinn openly coveted in his earlier press meetings over the winter. He picked off nine passes in three years while primarily playing Cover-1 high safety.
Yet he also attacks the run impressively, notching 15.5 career TFLs. He has enough athleticism to match up in the slot; many teams view him more as a cornerback than a safety. That might remind Quinn — and you — of Quandre Diggs, and the Lions are still looking for his replacement at the inside CB role since he moved to become a Pro Bowl safety.
Third round: Blake Cashman, LB, Minnesota
Cashman plays the game similarly to Seahawks standout K.J. Wright, an athletic presence capable of strong play against both the run and the pass. The former walk-on has steadily upped his ability level and responsibilities for the Golden Gophers, including a penchant for second-level blitzes (12 sacks in his final three seasons despite not being a traditional rusher). His impressive scouting combine performance indicates he can still push his game higher. Playing next to Jarrad Davis, he adds speed and more versatility and upside than incumbent Christian Jones, as well as the ability for the Lions to deploy a solid 3-LB alignment in Matt Patricia’s multiple front.
Day Three
Fourth round: Josh Oliver, TE, San Jose State
I profiled Oliver and his fit for the Lions recently. The receiving-oriented tight end would be a nice value in the middle of the fourth round, capable of starting in 2 TE sets right away next to Jesse James. Josh is not related to Ed Oliver.
Fifth round: Brett Rypien, QB, Boise State
Nephew of former Super Bowl MVP Mark Rypien, Brett was a prolific 4-year starter for the Broncos and understands his own game very well. Lacks even an average NFL arm, but Quinn has overlooked that trait in the past with Day 3 QBs Jake Rudock and Brad Kaaya in his Lions tenure. His pinpoint accuracy, quick release and excellent feel for pressure make him a good candidate for a long career as a capable NFL backup.
Sixth round: Corey Ballentine, CB, Washburn and Jalen Jelks, OLB, Oregon
Ballentine is a track star from a D-II school, but he held his own in Senior Bowl practices and nailed his combine workout. At 5-11 and 195 he’s not quite as big as the Lions like on the outside, but as a reserve, he can also contribute on special teams as both a kick returner and with his punt blocking prowess (3 in 2018).
Jelks is a leggy outside backer who can play as a rush LB but has some ability to cover TEs and length to disrupt passing lanes in zone schemes. He’s light and thin-framed, relegating him to sub-package duty. The Lions met with Jelks immediately after his best day at Senior Bowl practices.
Seventh round: Keelan Doss, WR, UC Davis and Oli Udoh, OT, Elon
A pair of FCS-level standouts wrap the draft. The Lions have shown significant interest in Doss, a bigger target with reliable hands but not a lot of sizzle. Udoh met with the team at both the Shrine Game and Senior Bowl, where he held his own after being called up from a standout week in St. Pete. He’s a behemoth (6-5/325) of a developmental tackle who would likely spend his rookie year on the practice squad.
