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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Jeff Risdon

Mock draft watch: Mel Kiper’s latest stirs the pot for the Lions

The latest updated mock draft from ESPN guru Mel Kiper Jr. is out, ready to stir up the 2020 NFL Draft pot of conversation.

For the Detroit Lions, the stirring up produces a new entree at No. 3 overall. After rolling with Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa in his last mock draft, Kiper changes flavors and serves up Ohio State CB Jeff Okudah.

Kiper’s explanation and analysis of Detroit’s offseason so far is pretty upbeat,

The Lions’ best-case scenario with this pick? Field offers for teams trying to trade up to draft Tua Tagovailoa — the Dolphins (Nos. 5, 18 and 26 picks) and Chargers (No. 6 pick) make the most sense — and still land Okudah. That would give them extra premium draft picks and the top corner in the class to replace Darius Slay and pair with free-agent signing Desmond Trufant. After a 3-12-1 season, general manager Bob Quinn and coach Matt Patricia need wins now, and the additions of Jamie Collins, Danny Shelton and Nick Williams will help their defense immediately.

It’s nice to see Kiper has acknowledged the talk about trading Matthew Stafford and subsequently drafting Tagovailoa is utter nonsense, and Okudah fills a major need now with Darius Slay in Philadelphia.

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