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Will speed influence the Detroit Lions first-round selection?

By Robert Jones

ALLEN PARK, MI - FEBRUARY 07: General Manager Bob Quinn of the Detroit Lions speaks at a press conference after introducing Matt Patricia as the Lions new head coach at the Detroit Lions Practice Facility on February 7, 2018 in Allen Park, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ALLEN PARK, MI - FEBRUARY 07: General Manager Bob Quinn of the Detroit Lions speaks at a press conference after introducing Matt Patricia as the Lions new head coach at the Detroit Lions Practice Facility on February 7, 2018 in Allen Park, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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Isiah Simmons, Clemson (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
Isiah Simmons, Clemson (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

The Lions will have their choice of quality defensive players

There is only one absolute among all the draft experts, and that is the conclusion that Chase Young is the best defensive player in the draft. When you consider the entire package of Young’s ability combined with the importance of dominant edge rushers in the NFL, it isn’t overly surprising that he is considered the best player in the draft.

However, once you get past Young, then the debate begins. The second-best defensive player in the draft is either Jeff Okudah or Isaiah Simmons. Depending on who you listen to.

Both are high on the wish lists of Lions fans everywhere and no one can blame anyone for wanting either player.

Okudah projects to be the next Jalen Ramsey. In time, he is expected to be a shutdown cornerback who will make any secondary better and life more difficult for opposing offenses.

Meanwhile, Simmons’ versatile skill set will make him a valuable chess piece for whatever defense is lucky enough to get him. He will make it difficult for opposing offenses to game plan for him just because of how many places he can line up and how much he can literally do.

In the case of the lackluster Lions defense either one would be a huge score.

As a matter of fact, despite Derrick Brown’s poor showing at the NFL combine, fans should remember that more important than how he tested was how productive and downright dominant Brown was at Auburn.

Maybe Brown didn’t test at an elite level, but he played at an elite level at Auburn. While more athleticism would help him in the NFL, unlike players in space like receivers or defensive backs, while not having that extra burst may keep him from being great, it probably won’t stop him from being very good and very productive.

In other words a big asset for any defense.

But when all is said and done, only one of these three really showed out at the combine. Only one of them verified how incredibly athletic they were to go with an outstanding collegiate resume. This has to leave us wondering if that may be the difference in what Bob Quinn will do in four days when the draft begins.

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