For several years, we’ve eschewed the immediate grading of the Detroit Lions’ draft classes. Without knowing how a player’s skill set will translate to the next level, or even their projected role, we’ve found it meaningless to offer that type of evaluation.
Plus, it’s often said you don’t really know what you have in a player until their third year. So instead of the instant reaction, we’ve settled for the alternative of evaluating each draft class three seasons later.
This year we’re taking a closer look at Detroit’s 2020 additions, notable because it was former general manager Bob Quinn’s final year making the selections for the franchise. And while Quinn is long gone, and the roster since has been torn down and rebuilt with a new vision by current GM Brad Holmes, there are still lingering pieces from the previous regime, including a few choices from this draft.
Let’s take a pick-by-pick at that class:
▶ Cornerback Jeff Okudah (Round 1, pick No. 3)
The timing couldn’t be much better with the Lions trading Okudah to Atlanta last week for pennies on the dollar after three disappointing seasons in Detroit.
A selection rooted in self-preservation, the Lions made the Ohio State cornerback the earliest drafted player at that position in 30 years, as Quinn and former coach Matt Patricia attempted to save their jobs by taking a prospect many viewed as the most NFL-ready in the class.
Obviously, we know now the venture fell flat, although it’s hardly fair to pin even a fraction of that regime’s failings on Okudah. Even had he performed as a high level out the gate, it’s difficult to envision a scenario where he could have reversed the franchise’s direction at the time.
Of course, Okudah didn’t perform at a high level as a rookie. After missing a chunk of training camp with a hamstring injury, he was torched when targeted, allowing 77.4% of throws to be completed, resulting in a gaudy 118.0 passer rating on those plays. Then, after nine appearances, he was shut down for the year with a core injury that required season-ending surgery.
There was cause for optimism heading into his sophomore campaign, but that train derailed as it left the station when he tore his Achilles in the season opener.
That’s a devastating injury for any player, but particularly at a position that emphasizes speed and change-of-direction quickness. Still, to Okudah’s credit, he aggressively rehabbed his back, returning to the starting lineup in Week 1 last season. And there were some good moments in 2022, like when he helped shut down Justin Jefferson in Week 3, or racked up 15 tackles, mostly in run support, against the Cowboys coming out of the bye.
But inconsistencies in coverage, particularly defending the deep ball, saw him concede playing time down the stretch and ultimately led to his departure this offseason.
Who knows how differently things would have looked had Okudah stayed healthy. The injuries he experienced were largely out of his control, but durability is always a concern with cornerbacks and the Lions’ former leaders swung and missed on an aggressive short-term play that had predictable long-term ramifications.
Biggest whiff: Quarterback Justin Herbert went three picks later to the Chargers. Even though Lions starter Matthew Stafford was dealing with growing injury concerns, the offensive rookie of the year and 2021 Pro Bowler wasn’t seriously considered. That’s because ownership’s public ultimatum for Quinn and Patricia to contend for the playoffs or get fired provided no room to consider hitting the reset button at QB.
More realistically, defensive tackle Derrick Brown (No. 7 pick) has developed into one of the league’s best young defensive tackles after a slow start to his career.
Grade: D+
▶ Running back D’Andre Swift (Round 2, pick No. 35)
Recognizing Kerryon Johnson had lost a step after suffering knee injuries each of his first two seasons, the Lions snagged Swift at the top of the second round.
The second running back off the board, three spots after the Chiefs selected Clyde Edwards-Helaire, the pros and cons were clear from the start with Swift. His dual-threat, playmaking ability was evident, but there were legitimate questions about whether his body could hold up at the next level after he averaged just 171 touches during his three seasons at Georgia.
Those durability concerns proved valid as Swift has struggled with injuries each of his three seasons with the Lions, starting with groin injury during training camp his rookie year. In total, he’s missed 11 games, and has been limited by groin, ankle and shoulder issues in many of the contests where he’s suited up.
When the ball has been in his hands, the playmaking has been there. He’s averaged 4.6 yards with his 364 carries and chipped in nearly 1,200 yards on 156 catches, finding the end zone 25 times in 40 games. Still, despite multiple maintenance plans, we can’t help but wonder how much meat has been left on the bone because of his inability to stay healthy.
Biggest whiff: If the Lions felt that strongly about adding a running back, they could have gone with Wisconsin’s Jonathan Taylor at that spot. The No. 41 pick has also had some recent injury issues, but it doesn’t take away from the fact he’s racked up more than 3,800 yards on the ground (5.1 yards per carry) with 36 total touchdowns.
Grade: B
▶ Defensive end Julian Okwara (Round 3, pick No. 67)
The Lions had an unexplained affinity for Notre Dame prospects under Quinn. Still, the team likely thought they were getting a good value with Okwara after his senior season was ended prematurely by a broken leg.
Leaner and more explosive than his older brother, Romeo, Julian tallied eight sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss as a junior in 2019, offering promising upside for Detroit’s then-anemic pass rush. But like Okudah and Swift, injuries have hindered Okwara from coming anywhere close to his ceiling.
He didn’t even see 100 defensive snaps as a rookie, before opening his second season as a healthy scratch. He eventually earned an expanded role, appearing in 13 games. And even though an ankle injury sidelined him three contests later that season, he managed to record five sacks in his final nine games, including a pair in the season finale.
But injuries (hamstring and elbow), as well as Detroit’s improved depth as his position, prevented Okwara from building on that success in 2022. Averaging 22 defensive snaps across 10 appearances, he tallied just two sacks and 12 quarterback pressures, while missing a career-worst six tackles.
With the threat of the Lions further bolstering their edge-rushing talent in the upcoming draft, Okwara could have a tough time maintaining his roster spot.
Biggest whiff: It wasn’t viewed as pressing of a need after signing Danny Shelton and Nick Williams earlier that offseason, but defensive tackles Justin Madubuike (pick No. 71) and DaVon Hamilton (No. 73) have rounded into quality interior performers. In hindsight, either would be nice to have on the current roster.
Grade: D
▶ Guard Jonah Jackson (Round 3, pick No. 75)
Quinn had a knack for hitting big in the third round during his tenure in Detroit and did it one last time with Jackson, the Rutgers transfer who wrapped his college career with a season at Ohio State.
An immediate starter for the Lions, he shifted from right guard to the left side the third game of his rookie season and hasn’t looked back. A better pass protector than run blocker entering the league, Jackson has flipped that script and been a critical piece to the Lions getting their ground game on track after decades of futility. He even earned Pro Bowl honors with the support of the league’s coaches and players after finishing outside the top 10 in fan balloting.
Jackson missed a few games at the beginning of last season after suffering a finger injury in practice, but rounded back to the high standard he’d previously established by midseason. He’s put himself in line for a massive second contract, which should pay him more than $10 million per season if he continues to produce at this level.
Biggest whiff: None. The Lions nailed this one.
Grade: A
▶ Guard Logan Stenberg (Round 4, pick No. 121)
Picking a second consecutive guard seemed curious in the moment, but at this stage of the draft, it’s not a bad thing to grab the highest-graded player on your board, regardless of position. Plus, it’s likely the franchise had long-term concerns about former starter Joe Dahl’s back, which ended his 2019 season and eventually his career a couple of seasons later.
After only seeing a handful of special-teams snaps as a rookie, Stenberg’s path to playing time was blocked by Halapoulivaati Vaitai’s permanent shift to guard ahead of the 2020 season. Stenberg finally saw his first meaningful action, in place of the injured Vaitai, to open last season. But in four starts, Stenberg struggled to protect the quarterback, sending him back on the bench each time.
With Vaitai expected to be ready for training camp this year, and Graham Glasgow added to the mix after a three-year stint in Denver, there’s no obvious path to snaps for Stenberg, who is entering the final season of his rookie deal. And if the team adds a guard in the draft, it’s possible he won’t suit up for another game in Detroit.
Biggest whiff: Within a 10-15 pick range, the Lions didn’t have an egregious miss. Guard Kevin Dotson (No. 135) probably would have been a better pick than Stenberg. The 320-pounder out of Louisiana has been an above-average pass protector for the Steelers, starting 30 games his first three seasons.
Grade: F
▶ Wide receiver Quintez Cephus (Round 5, pick No. 166)
Despite a productive college career and good tape, Cephus’ poor athletic testing caused him to slide to the middle of the draft’s third day. Injuries to veterans ahead of him on the depth chart pushed him into the lineup as a rookie and he contributed 20 catches in 13 games. He looked even better to start his second season, hauling in 15 balls for 204 yards and two scores the first five weeks before a broken collarbone abruptly ended the campaign.
During his absence, rookie Amon-Ra St. Brown emerged as Detroit’s go-to weapon in the passing game. Additionally, the team added Josh Reynolds off waivers, DJ Chark in free agency and Jameson Williams in the following draft. That left almost no playing time for Cephus, who was targeted just three times in four games last season before another injury, this time a foot issue, put him on the shelf.
When healthy, he’s outplayed his draft slot and showed the potential to do more. But NFL teams move on quickly when injuries hit and that appears to be Cephus’ story in Detroit.
Biggest whiff: In terms of pass catchers, Darnell Mooney has proven to be a far more productive player. Coming off the board seven picks later, he’s caught 182 passes and 10 touchdowns for the Bears.
Grade: C
▶ Running back Jason Huntley (Round 5, pick No. 172)
Huntley is one of those players you probably didn’t know much about when the Lions drafted him, but it was easy to be intrigued as you learned a little bit about the talent. Possessing elite speed, he had played a versatile role as a running back, receiver and return man for New Mexico State.
With no preseason in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Lions fans never got a chance to see what Huntley could do. He had flashed some pass-catching potential during training camp practices, but also struggled with his blocking and fielding kicks cleanly.
Detroit cut Huntley before the season, likely hoping to add him back to the practice squad, but he was claimed by Philadelphia. He appeared in six games the next two seasons with the Eagles, handling a handful of kickoffs and tallying 70 yards from scrimmage. He’s currently rostered by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Biggest whiff: It’s still Mooney, who was the next pick. Michigan defensive lineman Michael Danna (No. 177) has also had some success in Kansas City, including 40 QB pressures last season.
Grade: F
▶ Defensive tackle John Penisini (Round 6, pick No. 197)
Penisini unexpectedly ended up having a huge role as a rookie, playing the most snaps of any defensive tackle on the roster. He showed promise as a run stuffer, but offered little as a pocket disruptor, recording just two pressures on 262 pass plays.
A poorer fit for the defensive scheme brought in by the new coaching staff, Penisini’s playing time was cut by more than half in 2021. He then abruptly retired the following offseason.
After a year away, Penisini recently came out of retirement. No longer a part of Detroit’s plans, he was released by the team to pursue other opportunities. He’s since joined the Carolina Panthers.
Biggest whiff: Safety Jordan Fuller (No. 199) was taken by the Rams two picks later. Before missing most of last season with a hamstring injury, he had a stellar 2021 campaign for the Super Bowl champs, logging more than 1,000 snaps on defense and leading the team with 113 tackles.
The Lions didn’t have a pressing need for a safety after trading for Duron Harmon, but Fuller’s versatility, including the ability to play in the slot, could have been valuable short-term depth with long-term potential.
Grade: C–
▶ Defensive tackle Jashon Cornell (Round 7, pick No. 235)
Cornell suffered a torn ACL before training camp his rookie year and was suspended the first three games of his second year after an offseason DUI. He ended up appearing in just one game, playing just four snaps in 2021. He was waived with another injury last year.
Biggest whiff: There were a dozen undrafted players who could have been better options, but quarterback Tyler Huntley stands out. He has gone on to become a solid backup in Baltimore, even randomly earning Pro Bowl honors last season.
Grade: Incomplete
▶ Overall
Injuries have decimated this group’s long-term impact, particularly at the top. And even though Okudah never got the chance to live up to his potential, we can continue to criticize the selection because Quinn took a positional value risk trying to save his job.
With Swift, the evaluation of the talent was fine, but durability concerns proved to be legitimate, keeping him from coming close to his production ceiling. At this stage, it’s difficult to envision he’ll remain with the Lions beyond this season.
In fact, the only player from this class who merits sticking around is Jackson, but it remains unclear whether the Lions will be able to afford him with so many present and future resources dedicated to the team’s offensive line.
Overall, the Lions have had worse drafts, but missing on a top-5 pick is brutal and sinks the grade.
Grade: D+
jdrogers@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @Justin_Rogers