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Four draft crushes to help the Detroit Lions rebound in 2020

By Brenden Armour

WACO, TX - NOVEMBER 3: Denzel Mims #15 of the Baylor Bears celebrates with his teammates after scoring the game winning touchdown on a 6 yard reception against the Oklahoma State Cowboys during the second half of an NCAA football game at McLane Stadium on November 3, 2018 in Waco, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
WACO, TX - NOVEMBER 3: Denzel Mims #15 of the Baylor Bears celebrates with his teammates after scoring the game winning touchdown on a 6 yard reception against the Oklahoma State Cowboys during the second half of an NCAA football game at McLane Stadium on November 3, 2018 in Waco, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

3. Jeff Gladney, Cornerback, Texas Christian University-

The Lions need to add to a cornerback room that little to speak for other than established veteran corner Darius Slay. With Gladney in the mix, along with soon-to-be second-year player Amani Oruwariye, the Lions would boast a much revamped and potentially potent cornerback rotation of Slay, Oruwariye, Jamal Agnew, Justin Coleman, and the aforementioned Gladney.

Gladney would provide the Lions with another corner that is a strong defender in press-man coverage. The Draft Network’s Kyle Crabbs said that Gladney is a universal prospect, and wrote some positive things about him:

"“Gladney’s foot quickness and ball skills would be best served in defenses featuring a high implementation of man coverage… Gladney’s football IQ should yield early dividends to his NFL team.”"

As mentioned above Gladney will fit best in a defensive scheme that plays a high percentage of man coverage. It has been noted multiple times that the Detroit Lions have been one of the heaviest man coverage defenses in the NFL under head coach Matt Patricia.

Gladney is believed to be a second-round pick in April and should provide his team an immediate impact. For the Lions specifically, they need a corner that can provide turnovers and get involved in plays that go his way.

Previous Lions’ corners seem to have a knack for being in decent coverage, but not being able to get their hands on the ball. This has not been the biggest problem for Gladney as he has recorded at least one interception in three out of four seasons at TCU and over the past two years alone has accrued 27 pass break-ups.

Gladney is a sticky corner that excels in man coverage and is not intimidated by any opposing receivers. Adding this dynamic corner to the lineup should the Lions miss out on Ohio State cornerback Jeffrey Okudah will be a must if they want to improve what was an awful pass defense in 2019.

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