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The Detroit Lions use the 20th pick in the 2018 NFL Draft to select …

By Robert Jones

CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 30: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announces that the Tennessee Titans chose Marcus Mariota of the Oregon Ducks #2 overall during the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University on April 30, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 30: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announces that the Tennessee Titans chose Marcus Mariota of the Oregon Ducks #2 overall during the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University on April 30, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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BATON ROUGE, LA – SEPTEMBER 10: Derrius Guice #5 of the LSU Tigers runs with the ball during the second half of a game against the Jacksonville State Gamecocks at Tiger Stadium on September 10, 2016 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
BATON ROUGE, LA – SEPTEMBER 10: Derrius Guice #5 of the LSU Tigers runs with the ball during the second half of a game against the Jacksonville State Gamecocks at Tiger Stadium on September 10, 2016 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

Penn State’s Saquon Barkley will be long gone, but the number two back on most people’s list is LSU’s Derrius Guice.

Guice is in the mold of Jacksonville’s Leonard Fournette, who was a former teammate of Guice at LSU. Guice is a north/south runner that punishes defenders and gets the most out of every carry he has. Now he hasn’t been used a lot in the passing game and there are worries about his maturity, but if he reaches his full potential he could be a game-breaker.

Bob Quinn isn’t big on red flags and Guice hasn’t gotten into any legal trouble and isn’t a bad kid, but will those maturity questions affect what the Lions do? Especially in a draft deep at running back.

Finally we will look at the defensive line prospects.

Washington nose-tackle Vita Vea would be a big acquisition for Matt Patricia’s defense, but the closer we get, the more unlikely it seems he will still be on the board.

If he is, however, Vea would be a tremendous building block for Patricia.

Alabama defensive tackle Da’Ron Payne is an outstanding athlete and would also be a great fit for Patricia’s defense. Again, if he’s still on the board, this wouldn’t be a surprise pick.

Then there’s defensive tackle Taven Bryan out of Florida. Some think his potential is sky high as he has been compared to perennial Pro Bowler J.J. Watt. Yet he was only a one year starter at Florida and would need development to reach that type of potential, if he does at all.

Bryan’s versatility to play at tackle and end is what Patricia craves for his multiple defenses the Lions will play. Therefore Bryan wouldn’t be a huge surprise either.

Not to be overlooked is Michigan’s own Maurice Hurst. He is considered the best inside pass-rusher in the draft by Pro Football Focus. His ability to penetrate and create havoc in opposing backfields is a definite plus, but his heart issue cannot be ignored.

Will Hurst’s health be cause for concern in Allen Park?

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