NFL Draft 2020: Grading every pick for Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions’ 2020 NFL Draft is in the books and they came away with some players who should have immediate impacts.

The Detroit Lions came into the 2020 NFL Draft with some major needs and they were able to draft some of them from Thursday through Saturday.

With the draft coming and going, we did our best to grade each pick and give the Lions an overall grade. Hint: they exceeded expectations.

Round 1, Jeff Okudah: A

Some Lions fans hated this pick, and that’s understandable, but Jeff Okudah was by far and away the best cornerback in the draft and he addressed an immediate need at corner with Darius Slay gone. He was the safest pick at No. 3 and made the most sense. Sure, they could have tried to trade back and still would have gotten him, but the Dolphins weren’t willing to surrender the fifth pick.

Round 2, D’Andre Swift: A-

Admittedly, I hated this pick at first because it didn’t make a whole lot of sense, but with Kerryon Johnson’s injury issues, it made sense to grab a mid-first round talent at the top of the second. This was a high value pick and there’s a good chance Swift could be the best rookie running back from the class.

Round 3, Julian Okwara: B+

Julian Okwara was another value pick in the third round, but not quite as highly-regarded as Swift’s selection. He gave the Lions a much-needed edge rusher and he finished with 19.5 tackles for loss and 13 sacks in his final two seasons with Notre Dame. He’ll be a solid contributor in the Honolulu blue.

Round 3, Jonah Jackson: A

I didn’t know a ton about Jonah Jackson before the selection other than the fact he was an above average guard for Ohio State but after doing some research, I love this pick for Detroit. He was voted a captain for Rutgers as a junior before transferring to Ohio State where he earned first-team All-Big Ten honors in his lone season with the Buckeyes. A leader and baller.

Round 4, Logan Stenberg: B-

Yes, the Lions needed offensive line help and Logan Stenberg is a solid guard, but drafting one right after another seems careless. Unless the Lions are planning on filling both guard spots with rookies, this makes no sense. Stenberg was an All-SEC first-teamer and plays with a mean streak but draft experts didn’t love this selection here.

Round 5, Quintez Cephus: B

As someone who has followed the Lions, one thing is for certain about their 2020 squad: they desperately need some receiver help. They have a rising star in Kenny Golladay but him and Marvin Jones need some help. Was Quintez Cephus the best pick here with Donovan Peoples-Jones still on the board? No, but he has a high ceiling.

Round 5, Jason Huntley: D

Honestly, this one makes no sense. The Lions already had Kerryon and drafted Swift in the second round and then they added Jason Huntley from New Mexico State in round five? Unless he’s being selected for his return skills, this one will remain a head-scratcher.

Round 6, John Penisini: B+

John Penisini was about as consistent as a defensive tackle could be in his final two seasons with Utah, recording 38 tackles, seven tackles for loss and two sacks in each season. The similar stat lines probably helped show that 2018 wasn’t an anomaly.

Round 7, Jashon Cornell: C

I wasn’t a huge fan of this one simply because Jashon Cornell didn’t have a productive career with the Buckeyes until his senior year and even then he wasn’t dominant. Still, this is a seventh-round pick and the organization based it on potential clearly.

Overall Grade: A-

The Lions didn’t have the best draft of any team, but they definitely filled some needs and even took a value pick or two in rounds two and three. They also added a receiver to the mix who could make some noise and some much-needed defensive line help.