Round 1: CB Jeff Okudah ( Ohio St. ) : Pick # 3 ( 2020 )

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2020 NFL draft: Detroit Lions select Ohio State CB Jeff Okudah with third overall pick

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This new thread relates to the following threads:

Lions have Pick # 3 in the 2020 NFL Draft

detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/552/lions-pick-2020-nfl-draft

NFL Draft Preview: Defensive Backs ( 2020 )

detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/598/draft-preview-defensive-backs-2020

Mock Draft ( 2020 ) - DLF Members

detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/655/mock-draft-2020-dlf-members

How the Coronavirus is affecting the Lions / NFL overall

detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/612/coronavirus-affecting-lions-nfl

Ranking Lions needs heading into the 2020 NFL Draft

detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/661/ranking-lions-heading-2020-draft

Lions Free Agency Preview and Results: ( 2020 )

detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/599/lions-free-agency-preview-results

Lions 2020 season preview

detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/584/lions-2020-season-preview

Lions trade CB Darius Slay to the Eagles for 2020 3rd & 5th

detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/634/lions-trade-darius-slay-eagles

Lions: 2 yr deal with CB Desmond Trufant ( ex Falcons )

detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/587/free-agency-preview-defensive-backs

NFL Free Agency Preview: Defensive Backs ( 2020 )

detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/587/free-agency-preview-defensive-backs


There are at least 3 key subjects regarding the Lions decision to draft Jeff Okudah:

1. The selection of Jeff Okudah with pick # 3 compared to other options if the Lions remained in the # 3 spot:

IMHO, the Lions made the best choice of player for pick # 3. Okudah was my preferred choice based on available options, with Okudah about 50.5 % and LB Isaiah Simmons about 49.5 %. Derrick Brown would have been a good option in a trade down if the other two players were gone.

I expressed the following during the day on Thursday leading up to the draft in the following thread:

Lions have Pick # 3 in the 2020 NFL Draft

Regarding my preference order for Round 1, with the current pick # 3 Draft Resource, I'm only going to include 4 players.

1. DE Chase Young ( likely will be pick # 2 by the Redskins. ).
2. CB Jeff Okudah
3. LB Isaiah Simmons
4. DT Derrick Brown

I'm practically, 50-50 regarding Okudah and Simmons as my preference ( excluding Young for obvious reasons. ). I can't recall a draft that my preference choice was this close. The only reason why I put Okudah over Simmons is in real life, a selection has to be made. Simmons probably has more upside potential. Yet, Okudah is an ideal system fit, at a premium position. The latter won out for me. Barely. If Simmons is the choice ( taking the trade down component out of the equation ), that would be terrific as well ( providing Young was previously taken. ).

With Jeff Okudah, the Lions filled a need with value, based on other options in the draft. An added benefit with Okudah ( Simmons and Brown would have provided this as well ) is he has great character. As well as the desire to play to his potential.


2. The Lions remaining in the # 3 spot instead of trading down.

Without knowing what the offers were, it's difficult at this time to assess what the Lions trade options were.

There are two highly relevant facts that come to mind immediately:

1. There were no trades in the 1st Round until the SF 49ers were on the clock with pick # 13. It's been at least since the 2015 Draft that no trades occurred this long into a draft. It's fair to say that trades were more difficult to complete because of the Coronavirus situation.

2. Both Derrick Brown and Isaiah Simmons were taken with picks # 7 ( Carolina ) and # 8 ( Arizona ) respectively. Hence, if the Lions would have traded down to pick # 9 and the Jaguars would have drafted Jeff Okudah with pick # 3, the Lions would have lost out on Okudah, Brown, and Simmons unless the Lions were able to trade back up at least one spot. Because the Jaguars drafted CB C.J. Henderson with pick # 9, it's obvious that CB was a position they were targeting. That much more when looking at their pre-draft roster.

Even if the Jaguars offered picks # 9 and # 20 for pick # 3, so much would have depended on the draft grades the Lions had for Henderson and / or DT Javon Kinlaw.

Hence, based on everything mentioned, I am comfortable at least for now ( so much depends on information that becomes available ) that the Lions remained in the # 3 spot and drafted Jeff Okudah.



3. The opportunities with pick # 35 in Round 2 because of the Lions decision to draft Jeff Okudah with pick # 3:

At least from my point of view, I'm very happy about the players still available in the draft after Round 1 ended. The Lions pick 3rd in Round 2, barring the Lions trading pick # 35. The following non-CBs are still available that I would more than welcome with pick # 35:

1. DE Yetur Gross-Matos ( Penn St. )
2. DT. Ross Blacklock ( TCU )
3. T Joshua Jones ( Houston )
4. WR Denzel Mims ( Baylor )

Other players that I would be comfortable with pick # 35 ( there might be more ).

1. DE A.J. Epenesa ( Iowa )
2. RB D'Andre Swift ( Georgia )
3. RB J.K. Dobbins ( Ohio St. )

Though going into Round 2 there are still CBs that would have been worth considering at pick # 35 ( Trevon Diggs, Kristian Fulton, and Jaylon Johnson ) if the Lions drafted another position in Round 1, there will be multiple good options with pick # 35 based on the Okudah selection. The Lions are in a good place entering Round 2. What the Lions do with the opportunity remains to be seen.

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NFL Draft analysts: Lions get ‘most complete corner’ in Jeff Okudah

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It's fair to say that Ohio State has been top College Football program in the Northern Half of the United States.

One reason in particular why Jeff Okudah is a great addition for the Lions and he was my top choice based on available players with pick # 3 is Okudah doesn't have a significant physical weakness as a CB. Everything he needs to improve on is correctable.

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The Detroit Lions couldn’t trade the third overall pick because they never got any offers

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Like I mentioned in the open message of this thread, the first trade in Round 1 was when the 49ers were on the clock with pick # 13 ( with the Bucs-pick # 14 ).

Two questions come to mind regarding what Bob Quinn said to the media after Round 1:

1. Did Quinn ask for too much for pick # 3 prior to this evening that it led to no offers this evening before the Lions made the Jeff Okudah selection with pick # 3?
2. How far were the Lions comfortable moving down in the draft, barring an incredible offer?

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5 things to know about newest Detroit Lion Jeff Okudah

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It's evident that even though Jeff Okudah's Mom is no longer here in the physical sense, she's providing inspiration for him. She clearly had a tremendous impact for Jeff.

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New Lions CB Jeff Okudah already busy reaching out to NFL’s best, sharpening his sword

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The Lions clearly added a highly talented CB with great football and overall character.

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How to buy Jeff Okduah’s new Detroit Lions jersey


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I'm anticipating Jeff Okudah jerseys to be one of the Lions top selling jerseys for many years to come.

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No trade down? Detroit Lions fans OK with Jeff Okudah, but wanted a deal too

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One additional reason why I believe the Lions were unable to make a trade with the Dolphins or LA Chargers to move down to pick # 5 or # 6 is that there were two QBs ( in addition to Joe Burrow ) that most considered upper part of Round 1 caliber prospects. Hence, both teams felt that they could remain patient. If there was only one QB for them to choose from, the Lions probably would have received an offer too good to turn down from the Dolphins and/ or the Chargers.

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3. Detroit Lions2020 NFL draft: Pros and cons for every first-round pick

Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State | Highlights

Why they picked him: Cornerback is Detroit's biggest need after the trade of Darius Slay to Philadelphia. While the Lions signed CB Desmond Trufant in free agency and feel good about the long-term prospects of Amani Oruwariye, Okudah has the potential to be a shutdown corner sooner than later. He can be a man-press corner, which fits coach Matt Patricia's defense. He also has good speed (4.48 seconds in the 40-yard dash at the scouting combine, 12th among all corners) and closing ability to stay with almost any receiver. He's as ready to play right away as any corner in the draft, and at a position where rookies usually struggle.

Biggest question: While he's in a better position than most corners coming into the league, it will still be an adjustment. Without offseason workouts against wide receivers Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones Jr., it could be a situation in which Okudah will be learning on the fly throughout portions of the season. Considering the receivers he might be asked to cover (Davante Adams in Green Bay and Adam Thielen in Minnesota) and the quarterbacks he will likely face (Tom Brady, Philip Rivers, Aaron Rodgers, Deshaun Watson and Drew Brees are all on the schedule), he could have some rough moments as he figures the pro game out. -- Mike Rothstein

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Every rookie in the NFL in 2020 being counted on to play substantially will have similar hurdles that Jeff Okudah will face because of the lack of off-season workouts ( assuming that continues to be the case.).

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It's easy to see why the Lions drafted Jeff Okudah with pick # 3.

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Detroit Lions get an 'A' for drafting Jeff Okudah in 2020 NFL draft

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Unless it turns out that Bob Quinn made one or more significant mistakes with the trade discussions with other teams to try to move down in the draft, I agree that the Jeff Okudah selection is a post draft 'A' grade selection by the Lions.

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The Lions gain a star in Jeff Okudah, but miss an opportunity on opening night of NFL draft

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Unless there were viable opportunities to trade down and the ability to have created opportunities in a sensible manner, it's hard to find fault with Bob Quinn for what transpired in Round 1 last night with the Lions.

[papajoe]

Very good pick!
Like a lot of Lions’ fans, I would have loved a trade here; but IF there wasn’t an offer there wasn’t an offer. Under our circumstances, I think this was the right decision.


Joe

[D6]

Well stated, Joe.

Unless there's evidence to the contrary, I'm going to assume that at the very least, there wasn't a viable trade offer that made sense for the Lions to seriously consider.

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Lions hope familiar scheme helps Jeff Okudah catch up

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The transition for Jeff Okudah to the Lions should be easier than for most rookie CBs coming into the NFL this season. Having said that, the transition won't be easy. Some growing pains seem inevitable.
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Beat writer roundtable: Breaking down every Lions draft pick with those who know them best. JEFF OKUDAH

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This is a fantastic endorsement of the Lions selection of Jeff Okudah with pick # 3.