The Detroit Lions are almost certain to select at least one cornerback in the 2020 NFL Draft. It’s a need both in the short-term following the Darius Slay trade, as well as the long-term.
How highly the Lions prioritize upgrading the CB position remains to be seen. They have appealing options throughout the draft. Here is one corner prospect for each round of the draft, divided up by days of the selection process.
1st round: Jeff Okudah, Ohio State
The presumptive pick at No. 3 is there for good reason. Okudah is the most polished, highest-ceiling cornerback in recent memory. Adept at man coverage, strong in press coverage, comfortable in zone, capable of making big plays in any scheme, that’s Okudah. He’s a rare talent for his position, a better and more physical all-around prospect than his Ohio State predecessor, Denzel Ward, who went No. 4 overall in 2018 and earned a Pro Bowl spot as a rookie.
2nd round: Noah Igbinoghene
A high school track star, Igbinoghene still holds the Alabama HS record in the triple jump. He played wide receiver in HS and started there in college before Auburn figured out he couldn’t catch or run routes very well despite being so physically gifted.
The lack of experience on defense shows. Igbinoghene has poor feel for route concepts. He grabs jersey instead of swiftly flipping his hips when a receiver gets a step. He still can’t catch.
But the athletic potential and the growth in his game from the middle of 2018 to the end of 2019 is remarkable. He’s getting better at using his eyes and not using his hands so much. Igbinoghene is a very physical tackler and has improved his press technique. As a bonus, he’s arguably the best return man prospect in the draft.
3rd round: Bryce Hall, Virginia
If you like aggressive corners who are at their best with the ball in the air, you’ll love Hall. He might be the best in the entire draft class once the ball is thrown his way, leading all of college football with 22 passes defended in 2018.
At 6-1 and 202 pounds, Hall has the natural length and strength to play press-man coverage on the outside. He’s physical in run support and doesn’t stay blocked on the outside. As an added plus, Hall is a very good blitzer off the edge (6 career sacks). His 2018 game tape was better than any other CB in this draft, including Okudah.
He’s in the third round — and could even slide farther — because of injury and speed concerns. Hall broke his ankle halfway through the 2019 season and still wasn’t ready to run at the combine in February. His acceleration to top speed when turning and running with outside receivers isn’t great, and he doesn’t have the elite top gear in chase mode. Some teams might view him eventually converting to safety as a result.
4th round: Michael Ojemudia, Iowa
A seasoned press-man corner with optimal length and a decent track record in the Big 10, Ojemudia certainly checks the length and athleticism boxes for the Lions.
The on-field game doesn’t always play to the athletic potential, which is why Ojemudia is projected this late. He’s not as physical as his size would indicate and can be late to recognize the ball in the air. Ojemudia is talented enough to play right away but will need more progress before a team can rely on him as a full-time starter.
5th round: Amik Robertson, Louisiana Tech
He’s only 5-foot-8 and it’s impossible to not lead with that fact. But Robertson is not small, he’s simply short. Robertson is a very physical 187 pounds and tackles quite well. His jam technique is fantastic and he can turn and run smoothly. The instincts and contested-catch skills are better than a lot of CBs who will be drafted 100-plus spots higher, too.
The worry with Robertson is that he’s an outside CB in a slot CB body. His style of play and lateral agility don’t translate well inside. A 5-8 outside CB is a tough sell but Robertson’s stylistic resemblance to Antoine Winfield Sr. is close enough to merit trying it in the NFL.
6th round: Lavert Hill, Michigan
Another CB who is a completely different (for the better) player in press-man coverage than in off-man or zone, Hill will appeal to the Lions more than he does some other teams. Undersized at 5-10 but not small, he’s got good transitional footwork out of his press. The long speed is fine, but what helps Hill is that he’s still fluid while at top speed. That should help him if he transitions inside to the slot. Hill is not an asset in run defense or tackling after the catch.
7th round: Javelin Guidry, Utah
Guidry is incredibly fast, an indoor track star and state champion sprinter in California in high school. The speed translates to the field, too. Unlike a lot of “track guys”, Guidry is also a hitter and has some legit upper-body strength. He has flashed ball skills at times.
At times. Those are key words in evaluating Guidry. His coverage instincts are quite underdeveloped. So is his ability to read the receiver and anticipate the ball. It feels like he’s always playing catch-up on downfield routes and at working toward the middle of the field. There’s a lot to work with in Guidry, but there’s a lot of work needed before he’s ready to see the field.
