Round 3a: DE Julian Okwara ( Notre Dame) :Pick # 67 ( 2020 )

[D6]

2020 NFL draft: Detroit Lions select Notre Dame EDGE Julian Okwara with first of 2 third-round picks

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This new thread relates to the following threads:


How the Coronavirus is affecting the Lions / NFL overall

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


Round 2 and Round 3 options for the Lions ( 2020 )

detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/664/round-2-options-lions-2020

Mock Draft ( 2020 ) - DLF Members

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

NFL Draft Preview: Defensive Lineman ( 2020 )

www.mlive.com/lions/2020/04/2020-nfl-draft-detroit-lions-select-edge-julian-okwara-with-first-of-2-third-round-picks.html

NFL Draft Preview: Linebackers ( 2020 )

detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/597/nfl-draft-preview-linebackers-2020

Lions have Pick # 3 in the 2020 NFL Draft

detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/552/lions-pick-2020-nfl-draft?page=3

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


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

detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/663/round-jeff-okudah-ohio-pick

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In this opening message of the thread, I'm going to do something I've never done before in the 21 NFL Drafts since the Detroit Lions Forum has existed whether on MSN, BigTent, or here on Pro Boards. That is, not discuss any football /strategy reasons why I like or dislike the Lions decision with a draft selection. I'm planning on discussing the football / strategy reasons in many other messages in this thread and beyond.

As a Lions fan, I have been following the NFL Draft closely since the late 1970s. There have been many special moments. The Lions selection of Notre Dame Julian Okwara topped all of the previous special moments for me, from a personal standpoint. Regardless what transpires with Julian Okwara with the Lions, he and his older brother, Lions DE Romeo Okwara, and of course GM Bob Quinn, provided me with a memory that is priceless.

A week ago ( Saturday, April 18 ) during the afternoon, my younger brother Daniel passed away after a hard fought battle with COVID-19. Daniel had special needs and lived in a group home for 25 1/2 years. The NFL Draft, both the period leading up to it and the draft itself, provided a diversion that helped me greatly. Other than my belief in the Creator of the Universe and the prayers and support many people have provided, the NFL Draft was what helped me the most. At times, before and after Daniel's passing, it was hard to focus as the draft drew closer. But there were times when the diversion provided much needed continuity. I decided not to mention Daniel's illness and passing in the DLF until now because I needed a place where I could have a diversion. The Lions selection of Julian Okwara changed my approach. I'm hoping others get inspiration from my thoughts in this message, as we are all living in extraordinarily difficult times.

Until the moment came when I saw the Lions pick of Julian Okwara, I was thinking of him for the most part, if not totally, as a football player who would be amongst the Lions best options with pick # 67....in the early part of Round 3. Once the pick was made and I saw Romeo and Julian Okwara celebrating the moment together that they were going to be Lions teammates, that's when my connection to my brother Daniel hit me. Each time the Okwara Brothers are on the field together on the Lions Defensive unit and I notice them, I'm anticipating that I will have memories of Daniel. With my hope that the memories will provide more and more comfort.

[D6]

New Lions EDGE Julian Okwara blown away by ‘dream come true’ to play with older brother Romeo

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Romeo Okwara, along with Trey Flowers, should help Julian Okwara greatly in his transition from Notre Dame to the NFL. Being that Romeo Okwara had to go the UDRFA ( Undrafted Rookie Free Agent ) route with the Giants, to establish himself in the NFL, overcome injuries, and being released from the Giants when they got down to the 53 man roster limit in the summer of 2018, he certainly can provide his brother a perspective of what it takes to be successful as an NFL player.

Julian Okwara has more natural athletic football talent than Romeo Okwara does. Going into the 2019 College Football season, many were projecting Julian Okwara to be a 1st Round Pick in 2020. The broken fibula, coupled with Julian not having enough bulk and lower body strength, appear to be the primary reasons why he fell to pick # 67.

In the 3 articles I posted during the day on Friday ( prior to Round 2 ) by Lions beat writers mentioning potential options for the Lions in Rounds 2 and 3, I don't think Julian Okwara was mentioned. It didn't catch my attention.

This is what I wrote back on March 5:

detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/568/draft-preview-defensive-lineman-2020

Some NFL teams would primarily use Julian Okwara as an edge DE. Some would use him as an edge OLB in a 3-4. The Lions probably see Julian Okwara as a versatile player.

If Julian Okwara is available with pick # 35 in Round 2, I easily can envision the Lions drafting him in that spot if the Lions don't address the edge rush situation in Round 1.

In my Mock Draft, I had Julian Okwara going to Kansas City, with pick # 63 in the latter part of Round 2.

Based on the Lions available options when pick # 67 came around, Houston T Joshua Jones looked like the best value pick. I never anticipated Jones lasting to pick # 72 ( Arizona selected him ). Alabama DE-OLB Terrell Lewis, Oklahoma DT Neville Gallimore, and Missouri DT Jordan Elliott looked like viable options, at positions the Lions needed to address. All went in Round 3. Cal S Ashtyn Davis, who the Jets selected with pick # 68, right after the Lions took Julian Okwara, would have been a good long term value pick ( Safety wasn't a need for 2020, going into the draft ) and could have helped as a Kickoff Returner as a rookie.

Taking my personal situation out of the equation for the time being, I am very comfortable with Julian Okwara with pick # 67. Okwara has 1st Round ability potential and the Lions needed a edge player who can contribute as a rookie. With the potential for Okwara to be a complete edge player, if he adds bulk and plenty of lower body strength, as well as additional pass rush moves, and of course experience/ exposure. Even factoring in that there's risks with Okwara because he's coming off a major injury and he's far from a finished product, I think Okwara was my 2nd favorite option in this spot. With Jones being # 1 and Lewis being # 3. Both Okwara and Lewis have very long arms, which is something I value greatly at most positions. Certainly for Defensive Lineman, including Edge Players, and Offensive Lineman.

[D6]

5 things to know about new pick Julian Okwara

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Though Julian Okwara probably would have gone noticeably higher in the 2019 Draft if he gave up his final year of college football eligibility, he likely wouldn't have had the opportunity to play with his brother Romeo, at least in the first 2 seasons of his NFL career. I'm confident Julian Okwara no longer has any regrets to come back for his Senior season, if he had any regrets prior to him being drafted by the Lions and sharing the moment with Romeo.

[D6]

NFL Draft analysts praise Lions’ picks of Julian Okwara, Jonah Jackson

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This thread relates to the following thread:

Round 3b: G Jonah Jackson ( Ohio St. ) :Pick # 75 ( 2020 )

detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/667/round-jonah-jackson-ohio-pick

Opinions about NFL Draft prospects, including how they project to the NFL and how they performed in college football, sometimes vary greatly. That's the case with both of the Lions 3rd Round selections in the 2020 Draft.

I'm happy with the Lions decision to select Julian Okwara with pick # 67. I'm disappointed in the Lions trading up from pick # 85 to # 75 to draft Jonah Jackson.

[papajoe]

First, and most importantly, let me pass on my condolences. I am very sorry for your loss and will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.


This is a tough one...based on how well Julian Okwara recovers/has recovered from the leg injury. This could be the “value” pick of the draft...and one of Bob Quinn’s best picks; OR this could be a waste of a very valuable resource.
I would feel MUCH better about this pick if the Lions had been able to do their due diligence; but the pandemic has thwarted that possibility.


Joe

[D6]

Thanks, Joe.

Your prayers and thoughts are greatly appreciated and always will be.

I certainly agree with you about the high reward, with high risk, associated with the Julian Okwara selection with pick # 67 and the football decision ramifications of the pandemic.

One related thought. While Bob Quinn took a risk regarding the injury factor with Julian Okwara, his approach in this draft with the colleges the Lions chose players from in this draft was highly safe. With the 9 selections, none were from small football skills. Three were from Ohio St., 4 from the Big Ten collectively, 2 from the SEC, 1 from the PAC 12, and 2 from FBS Independents.

[dawn]

I for one, am so happy the brothers are reunited! I hope there will be huge rewards for the Lions in this!
David, I'm so sorry about Daniel, but what a wonderful way to think of him with this draft. Continued prayers for you, my dear friend. Hoping everyone is doing well under these awful circumstances!

[D6]

Thank you, Dawn.

Your prayers and support has been and continues to be a great help!

The Okwara Brothers have the opportunity to help turn the Lions around and being part of a team effort that leads to sustained success for the Lions.

[D6]

Notre Dame’s Brian Kelly sees Julian-Romeo Okwara pairing as ideal scenario for Detroit Lions

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For what it's worth, the Lions were tied with the Seahawks and Falcons for 29th in the NFL in the amount of team Sacks ( 28 ) in the 2019 season. The Dolphins are the only team with less sacks ( 23 ) last season.

Lower body strength is what Julian Okwara needs plenty more of. Hopefully, the 2021 off-season will be much more typical. That's when Julian Okwara potentially can especially benefit greatly in the Lions Training and Strength off-season program.

[D6]

Beat writer roundtable: Breaking down every Lions draft pick with those who know them best. JULIAN OKWARA

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Julian Okwara was also credited with a sack in Notre Dame's 2019 season opening win over Louisville.

Overall, this is a fair ( objective ) assessment of Julian Okwara entering the NFL. I think Julian Okwara being drafted by the Lions significantly increases the chances of him at least coming close to reaching his potential as an edge player in the NFL. This, compared to if J.Okwara was drafted by one of the substantial majority of the other teams.

[D6]

Detroit Lions agree to terms with rookie EDGE Julian Okwara

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Much needed good Lions news.