Detroit Lions 2020 NFL Draft: 7-round mock with two trades

With a twist, the Lions will give up the additional picks they got from Miami to move up. The Dallas Cowboys are in a bit of a pinch after losing center Travis Frederick and cornerback Byron Jones. Trading back from pick 17 and grabbing two extra picks could help them fill more needs. In Detroit’s case, they trade up for a chance to grab a top edge rusher.

It won’t receive the same affinity as defensive end Chase Young, but edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson might be on the Lions radar. He has the ideal size to play JACK linebacker in Matt Patricia’s base 3-3-5 scheme.

Weighing at 254 pounds and standing at 6’3, his build is similar to the JACK Linebackers of the past. Chaisson posted six and a half sacks and 60 tackles last season, a career-best at LSU. Although the production isn’t entirely there, teams should be looking at what’s to come, rather than what he has done.

Chaisson’s ability as not only as a speed rusher, but a power rusher is intriguing. Giving Detroit a mix of both, which is something they have been missing in the past. Chaisson shows a similar career projection to Carolina Panthers’ edge rusher Brian Burns. However, unlike Burns, Chaisson also provides the ability to play in coverage, something he will do if the Lions rolls the dice on him.