Round 5: CB Amani Oruwariye (Penn St ) : Pick # 146 ( 2019 )

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NFL Draft 2019: Lions select Penn State CB Amani Oruwariye in the fifth round

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This thread relates to the following threads:

Round 2 and Round 3 options for the Lions ( 2019 )

Lions have Pick # 8 in the 2019 NFL Draft

Mock Draft ( 2019 ) - DLF Members

One of the biggest surprises for me and many others in the 2019 Draft was Amani Oruwariye lasting to pick # 146 in Round 5. In my mock draft, I had Oruwariye going to the 49ers with pick : 67 in Round 3. Even that projection was one in which at the time I had some regrets about, as I thought there was a very realistic chance Oruwariye would be drafted at some point in Round 2.

Because I thought Oruwariye would go MUCH earlier than in the early part of Round 5 ( 8th pick of the Round ), I didn't envision him ending up on the Lions. In Round 2 and even with pick # 88 in Round 3, my mindset was that Oruwariye wasn't aggressive enough in run support and a reliable enough tackler for the Lions to draft him. However, when pick # 146 came up, the risk/ reward with Oruwariye jumped out highly favorably. At that point of draft, the Lions made a great decision selecting him. The Lions might have found a long term winning level starter in Round 5 at a position that the Lions needed more short term help.

Because Oruwariye did 17 reps of 225 lbs. at the Combine, his strength has clearly improved. He also got his weight up from 197 to 205 and still had a pretty good Combine. Including, running a faster 40 ( 4.47 ) than expected. With added strength, Oruwariye should become more physical against the run and become a more reliable tackler.

Oruwariye has very good ball skills and wing span. If he remains determined to demonstrate that the other 31 teams made a mistake on passing on him, the Lions should benefit greatly.

Rashaan Mevin likely is the favorite to start opposite Darius Slay at CB when the regular season begins at Arizona. Teez Tabor has a lot to prove not only to win the starting job but even to secure a spot on the opening day 53 man roster. Mike Ford and Marcus Cooper easily could be ahead of Tabor in the current pecking order at Outside CB. With Ourwariye now in the mix, I feel the Lions can go to training camp ( barring the injury factor ) with the CBs on the roster not counting UDRFAs / Training Camp bodies.

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Even Saquon Barkley has no idea how CB Amani Oruwariye fell to Lions in fifth round

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Jamal Agnew isn't a viable candidate to start at Outside CB. However, Agnew could see plenty of time in the slot, in Nickel packages, when ( if ) Justin Coleman is used on the Outside.

[papajoe]

Another pick in the running for best “value” pick. While I don’t think Amani Oruwariye can/will contribute immediately; IF the Lions can keep him around, I think he COULD be a long term contributor.


Joe

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Agreed, Joe.

The transition to the NFL is a difficult one much more often than not.

[papajoe]

I believe I read that Amani Oruwariye had just one full season of starting experience. If that is true, that would make the transition that much more difficult; that’s why I’m not expecting immediate results.


Joe

[D6]

Joe, very good point.

Even playing extensively as a Redshirt Junior in 2017, making a huge positive impact for Penn St., it's not the same as being a starter. Amani Oruwariye probably is a long way from being close to a finished product.

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For Lions, the Amani Oruwariye pick was everything the Teez Tabor one wasn’t
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For the record, Nevin Lawson started 14 out of his 15 games with the Lions in the 2018 season. Teez Tabor had 4 starts. Between Darius Slay being out with injury for the game at Chicago ( which was extremely costly in terms of the game outcome ) and the Lions using Nickel personnel to begin some games, that' s why there were games both Lawson and Tabor started. Lawson was clearly the better performer in 2018. His contract is why he's no longer on the Lions roster. Tabor played much better at Green Bay in the season finale than in his other opportunities during the season. That, combined with his relatively low salary, and being a 2nd Round pick, are very likely why he has another opportunity with the Lions.

Interestingly, the Patriots took Vanderbilt CB Joejuan Williams with pick # 45 in Round 2. Williams ran an even slower 40 at the Combine than Tabor did in 2017. Williams though improved on his 40 time somewhat at his Pro Day. IMHO, the greater difference between the 2 players and why Williams would have made plenty of sense for the Lions at pick # 43 is Williams is around 6'4" and has long arms for a CB. Not to mention, he weighed 211 pounds at the Combine. Williams did 17 reps at 225 lbs. Tabor did only 9 reps. Tabor hasn't shown with any consistency that he has enough size and skills to compensate for subpar speed.

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Amani Oruwariye will try to become Darius Slay’s wingman after studying his film

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Amani Oruwariye seems to be taking a winning level approach. He has winning level natural talent that should aid him greatly if he continues on his current path.

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Grading Detroit Lions' 5th-round pick: Penn State CB Amani Oruwariye

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The grade I would give the Lions for selecting Amani Oruwariye with pick # 146 in Round 5 is in the A to A- range. The key on this end is the spot of the draft the Lions were able to get a CB who has the potential of being a long term winning level starter.

[papajoe]

I’m with you on this one, David; I really like this pick. While I don’t expect an immediate impact AND accept the fact that there will be growing pains along the way, as there was with Darius Slay, I think Amani Oruwariye will prove himself to be a great, hopefully long term, addition to the Lions.


Joe

[D6]

Joe, in looking at the overall Lions 2019 Draft Class, it wouldn't surprise me if T.J. Hockenson is the only Lions draft selection that has a non Special Teams impact in the first quarter of the regular season. If Isaac Nauta makes the Lions 53 man roster, he could be a candidate for the Lions 2nd most impactful rookie in the first few games ( excluding Special Teams ). Ty Johnson might be the Lions overall most impactful rookie early in tbe season if he's on tbe roster, if given enough opportunities returning Kickoffs, possibly Punts, and on Offense.

Long term, the potential of Amani Oruwariye is indeed exciting. Even if Oruwariye is on the Game Day inactive list much of his rookie season, which could easily happen if his progress is slow and there are better Special Team options, I'm anticipating him making major strides in 2020. In part, because of added strength. In part because of greater familiarity and confidence.

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Lions sign fifth-rounder Amani Oruwariye

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It's good to see the signing process for the Lions draft selections under way.

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Lions rookie cornerback Amani Oruwariye stands tall at first minicamp

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For the overwhelming majority of rookies, the Minicamps and OTAs are a great help in helping bridge the difficult gap from their college football experiences to their first NFL Training Camp.

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Lions rookie playmaking corner Amani Oruwariye learning fast

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I think that Amari Oruwariye getting practice time with the Lions first team Defense is a good sign that he's progressing relatively well.