2020 Detroit Lions draft class

Given the sad state of the franchise with a so called win now edict from Martha, the Lions were placed in a box of what they could do in this draft. Obviously, Bob was not going take a QB in the first round. Both Tua and Herbert are far from sure things. Tua was his injury history and Herbert just might not be that good. Taking Okudah was the easy pick. Great kid with leadership skills.

The second round was frustrating to me. Running backs have little value until later in the draft. Taking a RB is a short term fix. Investing in a WR or Defensive Lineman is a long term foundational piece. D'Andre Swift is the best RB prospect the Lions have drafted since Kevin Jones in 2004. Ameer ran 4.6 in the 40 and was a KOR and 3rd down guy. Kerryon came out of Auburn with injury concerns. Hopefully the Lions can get a good three years out of Swift.

Drafting the Lineman in rounds 3 and 4 are good foundational pieces. The Lions were not going to pay $10 mil a year for a guard. Okwara should bolster the pass rush and maybe a starter down the line. Later round picks have specific roles to play. Cephus is a special teams guy and slot receiver. Huntley is a gadget guy and return man. He gives the Lions some speed. Penisini is a run stuffer.

1st Round (3)


Jeff Okudah CB Ohio State 6011 205 4.48 41"

Top rated CB in the draft. Adapt at playing press man. Excellent tackler. Should start day one opposite Trufant. At Ohio State he played 41 games with 3 int 18 PBU. Advanced stats from PFF showed 58 targets with 27 complete. 282 yards 1 TD. (Darrell Stewart of MSU). He played mostly outside with only 71 slot snaps.

Elite prospect, fits a need, great kid.

Rookie Review:

Looked overmatched. Did not show the speed needed to be a starting CB. Disappointed as a tackler.

9 games 6 starts 44 tackles 3 PBU 1 int

2nd round (35)


D'Andre Swift RB Georgia 5082 212 4.48 35.5" 1001
440/2885/20 rush 73/666/5 rec

Top rated RB in the draft. Good blend of speed, quickness and power. Ran mostly out of the zone scheme. Solid receiver and the a very good pass protector. Had 7 fumbles at Georgia. A better prospect than Kerryon or Ameer.

Top RB prospect, good kid, not a lot of mileage.

Rookie Review:

Showed good speed and quickness. Can catch the ball. Ball security is a major concern.

3rd Round (67)


Julian Okwara Edge Notre Dame  6042 252 27 reps
45 games 15.5 sacks 24 TFL 4 FF 2int

Pure edge rusher. Could drop once in while. Long with 34.3" arms and 10.25" hands. Broke his leg in November but should be healthy if the season ever starts. Probably will play a situational pass rush early in his career. Could develop into a end or Jack LB.  23% pass rush win rate in 2019.

Talent, Captain at ND, fills a need, impact position.

Rookie Review:

Hurt basically the whole season. Has the tools but not the production.

3rd Round (75)

Jonah Jackson 6034 306 5.23 28 26" 802 7.83 5.02

Strong player who played at the Senior Bowl for the Lions. 33.5 " arms with 10.5" hands. Lions traded up to draft at at # 75. Should be in the mix to start at guard. Played three years at Rutgers. Team captain. Grad transfer to Ohio State. PFF stats gave up 1 sack and 9 hurries in 2019.

Strong player, team captain, experience with the Lions.

Rookie Review:

Foundational piece. Really solid NFL guard.

4th Round (121)



Logan Stenberg 6061 317 5.3 26" 808

Big guy with a nasty play style. I had a third round grade him off of film and the Senior Bowl. Lowered because of a poor combine. 32.5" arms 10.25" Hands. was flagged 24 times the last 2 years.
Only surrendered 1 hurry in 2019. Kentucky was a run based offense. Will have a chance to develop  into a starter.

Nasty player, strong, good run blocker

Rookie review:

Could not get on the field. Practice guys dressed over him.

5th round (166)


Quintez Cephus Wisconsin 6007 202 4.73 4.62 23 38.5" 1004 7.2 4.33
38 g 93/1496/13

A very poor man's Anquan Boldin. Very strong player. Great hands. Played both outside (451 snaps) and the slot (110 snaps) at Wisconsin. Slow so will have to spend most of time running the short routes. Good blocker and will play special teams. Sat out 2018 with legal issues. He was found not guilty on sexual assault.

Strong player, slot receiver, special teams guy

Rookie Review:

Showed some potential. Inconsistent hands and lacks speed.

5th round (172)


Jason Huntley RB New Mexico State 5084 190 4.4 21 39.5" 1011 7.25 4.25
46 games 374/2197/18 134/1119/7 rec 59/1521/5 KOR

Player with great speed. 5 KOR touchdowns. Will be a gadget guy. Had an excellent NFLPA game and blew up his pro day. The Lions lack speed on offense and he will bring some to the team.

Fast, Return guy, Gadget guy

Rookie Review:

Cut after training camp

6th round (197)



John Penisini DT Utah 6013 318 23 reps 25.5" 4.93
28 games  80t 15 TFL 5 sacks 2 FF

Run stopper. 90.6 run grade from pff. Had a strong Shrine game week. Played mostly the 3 technique at Utah but will play the nose in Detroit. Will compete with Atkins and Herron for a roster spot.

Strong run stuffer. Good value in the 6th.

Rookie Review:

Showed potential as a run stopper. Should be part of the interior rotation for the future.

7th round pick (235)



Jashon Cornell 6022 285
46 games 14 starts 63 t 7 sacks 13.5 TFl

Under the radar player. Did not go to the combine, all-star game nor have a pro day. I watched two films on him MSU and Indiana. Played the 3 technique. Appeared to have long arms. OSU slants their line a lot. He tried to cross the face of the guard. Has good quickness. Plays a little high. Probably will have try to play the Trey Flowers position. Not a run down 3 tech. Graduate degree from Ohio State. Will have to fight to make the roster.

Long arms, quick, smart.

Rookie Review:

Torn his Achilles in camp.

Free Agents


Hunter Bryant TE 6022 248 4.74 23 32.5 907 7.08 4.46
26 games 85/1394/5

Injury concerns dropped him from the draft. Is more like WR than TE. Very quick in his routes. Good hands. Can run after the catch. PFF had him as a 3rd round pick. Has a chance if healthy to make the roster. $60,000 guaranteed.

Rookie Review:

Hurt most the year. Showed potiential.

Jalen Elliott S Notre Dame 6004 205 4.8 15 34" 1005 6.87 4.3
51 games 172 tack 6 int 11 PBU

Played for the Lions at the Senior Bowl. Ran 4.8 at the combine dropping him out of the draft. Will battle for the 5th safety spot. Played mostly FS at Notre Dame. Does have some experience in the slot. Will have to make it on special teams and beat out CJ Moore and Dinson. Was on the practice squad for the entire 2020 season. Signed for 2021.



Jeremiah Dinson S Auburn 5111 189 4.71 13 33" 907 7.2 4.53
48 games 214 tackles 4 int 12 PBU

Fringe prospect. Neither great size nor speed. Played at the Shrine game. The Lions attended his pro day. Played mostly in the box at Auburn. Did match up in the slot for 143 snaps in 2019. Will have to make it on special teams. $80,000 guaranteed to sign.


Arryn Sippos P Auburn 6024 213 5.09
117/5150/44 ave

Australian. 27 years old. Came out as a junior. Will battle for the spot with Jack Fox.


Steven Wirtel LS Iowa State 6037 227 4.76 19 26" 1000 7.12 4.28
51 games 7 tackles

Snapped for the Lions at the Senior Bowl. Good athlete. Two long snappers on the roster. Was on the practice squad for all of 2020. Signed with the Chargers for 2021.


Bobby Price S Norfolk State 6030 205
42 games 229 tackles 7 int 30 PBU 4 FR

Long jumper at Norfolk Career best 25'10". Good size and speed. Reportedly ran 4.43 and jumped 43" 1100. Played in 2 games. Was signed for 2021 season.



Luke Sellers FB South Dakota State 6002 249 30.7" arms 9 " Hands

Blocking FB will compete with Nick Bawden. Plys in the Spring football league.