Day 2 is done. Lions twitter is almost wholly happy. What world are we living in?
Going into day 2, the Lions had three picks:
35 (3rd pick, 2nd round)
67 (3rd pick, 3rd round)
85 (21st pick, 3rd round)
And they picked: (number indicates average draft position per ESPN:
35: D'Andre Swift (RB, Georgia) 35.4
67: Julian Okwara (Edge/LB, Notre Dame) 66.1
75: Jonah Jackson (G, Ohio State) 147.5 (pick 75 acquired in a trade with the Colts, as well as pick 197, for 85, 149 and 182).
D'Andre Swift (5'8, 212lbs) was the top ranked RB on the board, and graded by NFL.com as a "Year 1 quality starter", was picked almost exactly at the average place predicted per ESPN, although he was slated to be a possible first round pick - the ESPN model suggests his best case was 25th. His highlight reel makes for excellent viewing:
He's got excellent timing on making the most of his blocks, he's a slippery runner with an excellent cut back and his acceleration out of the cut is amazing. He lacks the explosive top end speed but that's the only drawback and he's still pretty fast! PFF always hate on picking running backs this early, so it won't get a good grade for 'value' and arguably the Lions had bigger needs at this pick, but it filled a position of need, and as we'll see, the Lions filled those positions of need fairly well later on.
Grade: A-
Julian Okwara (6'4, 252lbs) is rated by NFL.com as "will be starter within first two season". PFF stated "Getting a first-round talent in the third round is always a great thing....before he got hurt in week one, Okwara was having one of the best seasons by an edge rusher...This is highway robbery for the Lions". He is the younger brother of current Lions DE Romeo Okwara. Again the ESPN model was very accurate in terms of average pick position and actual, although it also stated his best case scenario for position was 42nd. He's a quality edge rusher but is poor in the run game and will need coaching to be effective on run downs.
Grade: A
Jonah Jackson (6'3, 306lbs) is rated by NFl.com as a "backup/special-teamer". He played in the Senior Bowl which the Lions coached, and given the Covid restrictions, this seems to be a big factor in informing this pick, especially considering the trade up. Bleacher report states that he is an excellent pass blocker - great news for Matthew Stafford - but has poor run blocking ability. It fills the file position of need for the Lions, who can now go for the best player available down the stretch, with the exception of a punter, probably in the 7th.
Grade: B+
Overall grade: A-
Considering Quinn's previous draft history, I think all us fans went into this process a little nervous, wondering how we would screw it up - and I have been pleasantly surprised.
How do you feel we did? Let me know in the comments or on twitter @roarofthelions1
PS I'm not looking ahead to day 3 because my knowledge of college ball is not deep enough to make any passing comments!
look forward to your conclusions on these players/positions after the game today, ty
Thanks Ash, RE TE's - Just to reiterate what Riz said ,& its worth noting what the Lions want their TE3 /4 to do, and how many game reps they'll actually get . Parker Hesse has been taking most Reps in camp primairly as blocker ( & FB ). Mitchel hasn't performed BUT, can Block & has some ST value,& was a draft pick. Zylstra is the best receiver -,but can't block - heresey on this team. So.........bearing in what Campbell said about the WR room ie its about the best players , irrespective of position......how about.......Mitchel as TE4 , & Zylstra ( TE5 ) taking the place of of WR5 ?
Ash, thank you so much for doing these. You and the rest of the ROTL UK gang are fantastic!
Greetings, I was glad to listen to your interesting interview. The season went really well. I liked the quality of your broadcast, which application did you use for this? Is it on this list? I just want to do live broadcasts