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Detroit Lions: If Jeff Okudah’s a given, the mystery is in the second round

By Robert Jones

MOBILE, AL - JANUARY 25: Defensive Lineman Neville Gallimore #90 from Oklahoma of the North Team during the 2020 Resse's Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium on January 25, 2020 in Mobile, Alabama. The North Team defeated the South Team 34 to 17. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
MOBILE, AL - JANUARY 25: Defensive Lineman Neville Gallimore #90 from Oklahoma of the North Team during the 2020 Resse's Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium on January 25, 2020 in Mobile, Alabama. The North Team defeated the South Team 34 to 17. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
(Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

The Detroit Lions seem destined to pick Jeff Okudah in the first round of the draft, so the mystery is what they’ll do in the second round.

Now that Detroit Lions general manager Bob Quinn is essentially done with his free-agent shopping spree, and the subsequent trade of Darius Slay to the Philadelphia Eagles is completed, it’s time re-evaluate the roster and prepare for the NFL draft.

At this point I think it’s all over except for the official announcement in regards to the Lions top pick; they will select Ohio State cornerback Jeff Okudah. That is unless Washington loses their mind and decides to pass on Chase Young or trade the pick to a quarterback hungry team. But provided that very unlikely scenario doesn’t occur, then the Lions will almost undoubtedly select Okudah.

If we’re honest, I’m sure that head coach Matt Patricia is certainly intrigued by Clemson jack-of-all-trades Isaiah Simmons, especially given how much Patricia likes players that are versatile, and they don’t get any more versatile than Simmons, but unless Patricia believes that Amani Oruwariye is about to have a mega break-out season, the pick will be Okudah.

The trade of Darius Slay has almost certainly cemented that. So really the mystery has gone out of the Lions first-round pick. The only real intrigue left is whether Bob Quinn trades back with the Dolphins or Chargers to get extra draft capital. Which is something they almost have to do if Young is off the board.

Getting an extra second-round pick or even an extra first-round pick if they can fleece the Dolphins would be huge and gives the Lions an opportunity to find another player who could contribute almost immediately.

But barring acquiring an additional first-round pick, the real mystery now is what the Lions will do with their second-round selection. If former Michigan center/guard Cesar Ruiz is available then that would be a tremendous get, but considering that Dallas is now in the market for a center and the Chiefs also have a need there, it would seem like the Lions won’t have a chance at Ruiz.

The question now becomes which direction will Bob Quinn and Matt Patricia go with their second-round pick? And what would be the best value as compared to team need with that pick?

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