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

Building from the ball out

Securing a starting guard with upside wouldn’t be a bad pick at number two, but outside of Ruiz, there aren’t any interior offensive linemen that would be a good value pick there. With the addition of Okudah in the first round, the secondary isn’t a need. Receiver or running back could be the pick, and if the Lions do acquire an additional second-round selection, they will probably address one of them.

However, the pick that makes the most sense here would be a defensive lineman. There is a possibility edge-rushers A.J. Epenesa or Yetur Gross-Matos could be on the board and either one could give the Lions pathetic pass-rush some much-needed help, but at present, they both seem to be favorites to go late in the first round.

That leaves defensive tackle as perhaps the best possibility. The Lions still need more depth at defensive tackle and there should be very good value available when the Lions are on the clock in the second round.

As a matter of fact, there are two that could fit Matt Patricia’s defense and should be available; Neville Gallimore from Oklahoma and Marlon Davidson from Auburn.

Gallimore and Davidson are cut from two different molds, but both have the talent and motor to become very good NFL players. It just becomes a matter of what your preference is.

Neville Gallimore is a Canadian import from Ottawa. His strength is certainly one of his strengths, but his quickness off the ball is what gives him an opportunity to really push the pocket in the NFL.

Matt Patricia talked about building his defense from the ball out and he also understands that while the ends have to do their job to collapse the pocket, a straight line up the middle is the fastest route to the quarterback and best way to cause poor passes when opponents don’t have anywhere to step into their throws.

Gallimore is 300 pounds of energy, but he actually dropped 30 pounds before his senior season to bring additional quickness to his game. He needs to be a better run defender, but he has proven he could play at a higher weight if preferred and he is still very quick off the ball. Some good coaching could turn this former Sooner with a lot of natural talent into a gem.