Detroit Lions: 2020 7-round mock draft with two trades
![NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 25: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell speaks during the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft on April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 25: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell speaks during the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft on April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/a9abec88fc5e5a6eccb7983b83ca466cc9e29f27b3984d7a0690e1f8fd171a79.jpg)
154. 814. Scouting Report. Safety. University of Georgia. Pick Analysis. J.R. Reed. player
After trading away starting safety Quandre Diggs to the Seattle Seahawks for minimal return last season, the Lions need more quality depth at the position. It just so happens that in this mock draft the Lions use the draft pick they got from Seattle to draft Diggs’ replacement.
Reed is a strong in the box player who is best against the run and coming up from his safety position to make plays at or around the line of scrimmage. Reed is a very instinctive player with good diagnosis skills. At Georgia, he would often blow plays up behind the line of scrimmage because he was able to see what was coming, diagnose it, and react quickly.
Reed would fit in well on the defense as a box safety. Having him provide underneath coverage and immediate run support would allow safety Tracy Walker to roam the middle of the field and make more plays on the ball from his deep safety position.
Reed brings more to the table than just physical skills, however. His ability to lead a defense stood out many times at Georgia. He is the kind of guy whose play rallies others around him and gets a defense rolling. Reed plays with a hot motor and consistently gives his best effort on the field.
If the Lions draft Reed, then deploying three-safety sets consisting of Will Harris, Walker, and Reed would be good for the defense as the three mixed together, provide an outstanding skill-set of coverage and play-making ability, play diagnosis, run support and effort, and leadership.
Drafting Reed would give the Lions what they traded away in Diggs; a vocal defensive leader who will always give you his all and isn’t afraid to deliver the boom on an opponent.