Detroit Lions draft a run-stuffer in Utah’s John Penisini
It’s been more miss than hit for the Detroit Lions in the sixth round. But will Motown strike gold this go around with the selection of Utah’s John Penisini?
The Detroit Lions lost several of their defensive tackles this offseason in Damon Harrison, A’Shawn Robinson, and Mike Daniels. In response, the Lions signed both Danny Shelton and Nick Williams in free agency.
But entering into the NFL draft, the position of defensive tackle figured to be addressed at some point. Yet, through the Lions’ first seven picks, nothing.
That changed with the 18th pick in the sixth round, 197th overall. Detroit made Utah defensive tackle John Penisini the newest member of the Lions (at least till their seventh-round pick).
Undersized at 6-foot-1, 318-pounds, Penisini is a pure run-stuffer who was the anchor for a Utes defense that allowed just 81.8 rushing yards a game in 2019, tops in the Pac-12.
Penisini recorded 38 combined tackles, 7.0 tackles for loss, and 2.0 sacks as a senior in 13 games. Those are the exact same numbers he posted the year before. During that span, Penisini received back-to-back second-team All-Pac-12 honors. He also had two forced fumbles in 2019.
Last season, the Lions ranked 21st in rushing yards allowed. Detroit gave up an average of 115.9 rushing yards per game to opposing offenses and would surely like to shore up that area.
The Detroit Lions best draft picks by round since 2009. dark. Next
Since taking the reins of the Detroit Lions as general manager back in 2016, Bob Quinn has chosen seven prospects in the sixth round over his first four seasons in Motown.
Those players being Old Dominion wide receiver Travis Fulgham (2019), Maryland running back Ty Johnson (2019), Arkansas defensive end Jeremiah Ledbetter (2017), Miami (FL) quarterback Brad Kaaya (2017), Michigan quarterback Jake Rudock (2016), Penn State defensive tackle Anthony Zettel (2016), and Baylor long snapper Jimmy Landes (2016).