2020 NFL Draft: Detroit Lions outlook and first round prospects

Summary

While the Detroit Lions are not in the market for a quarterback, we believe that this list is likely to contain the top few selections leading up to the Detroit Lions pick. We omitted Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert because we felt that one quarterback was enough to give people a look at the general prospects available.

There are a lot of ways for the Detroit Lions to go and the draft slot has not been set, yet. If the Dolphins do not select Herbert, he could slip a long way since almost every other team picking in the top ten has a young quarterback or established starter in place. The Jacksonville Jaguars and Los Angeles Chargers have older starters, the Jag’s have Gardner Minshew, too, who is just a rookie and done well when he’s started.

The Detroit Lions’ biggest need is at linebacker, where they could use an all-purpose, edge player who can cover, rush, and tackle. Chase Young would fit there if they had a way to snag him.

They could possibly address the anemic pass-rush via an end or by trying pressure up the middle. Derrick Brown is a force inside who can collapse a pocket.

Jeffrey Okudah is also a good fit for the man-cover defense although rookie Amani Oruwariye has played well at cornerback but the Lions could benefit from having depth at cornerback for a change or in case Darius Slay decides to leave in the near future.

The blocking, especially running the ball, has been a source of inconsistency for the Detroit Lions offense, so Thomas offers a long-term solution at tackle if the Lions decide to invest more picks there. Rick Wagner, the right tackle, has not performed like a top-five tackle and has a high price tag at over twelve million dollars in salary.

In the least likely scenario, the Lions offense has missed a yards-after-catch receiver who can house the football from anywhere on the field. Taking Jerry Jeudy is not likely but he is a big play waiting to happen and the Lions may have to do without Marvin Jones or Danny Amendola depending upon their contracts in 2020.

If you wish to look up a list of other prospects that could be selected, here is a list we found from Drafttek. Please, leave your comments below!