2020 NFL Draft: Best players available for the Lions on Day 2

With the first round of the NFL Draft officially in the books, the Detroit Lions were able to select their future star cornerback and address one of the biggest holes on their roster, but they still have plenty more to address. With the second day now in our midst, let’s take a look at some of the top players available at some of the Lions’ biggest needs.

Edge rusher

1. A.J. Epenesa
2. Yetur Gross-Matos
3. Josh Uche
4. Marlon Davidson
5. Julian Okwara

The Lions couldn’t be set up more perfectly to take a top-tier pass rusher for their defense after already addressing a huge hole in their secondary. There are only two picks ahead of them in the second round, so they will certainly have one of the top edge rushers at their disposal, it’s just a matter of whether they have one high on their board.

Epenesa is the obvious fit for the Lions. He might not be extremely athletic, but he fits their scheme to a T. Gross-Matos is another fantastic option to slot in as a down defensive end and the same goes for Davidson, who has the ability to kick it inside if need by. I also really like Uche as a fit for the JACK linebacker spot and believe that Okwara is a guy that can play both roles.

Offensive line

1. Josh Jones
2. Ezra Cleveland
3. Robert Hunt
4. Lloyd Cushenberry
5. Matt Hennessy

I’ve included both tackles and interior offensive linemen here because I think the Lions could go in either direction to help improve the trenches. If the Lions want great value and to take one of the remaining top tackles in Jones or Cleveland, then they can afford to move Vatai over to guard if they have to. Or they could go with one of the remaining top guards that best fit their system, whether it’s Hunt, Cushenberry or Hennessy.

Safety

1. Xavier McKinney
2. Antoine Winfield Jr.
3. Grant Delpit
4. Ashtyn Davis
5. Jeremy Chinn

Not every one of these guys are the best fit for Patricia, but someone like McKinney, who fell all the way until this point, might be too tough to pass up if he’s still there at the 35th overall pick. McKinney is a guy who can line up and play slot corner for the Lions, and would see plenty of time on the field for a team that lined up five defensive backs and three safeties more than any other team in the NFL last year.

Running back

1. J.K. Dobbins
2. Jonathan Taylor
3. D'andre Swift
4. Zack Moss
5. Cam Akers

If the Lions want to add a running back on Day 2, they may be looking at a litter of talent still on the board. With Clyde Edwards-Helaire being the only running back to be taken in Round 1, the best RBs are still on the board, and many fit what they’re looking for. I like all of the above players for the Lions, but it may be in their best interest to wait and address other, more important needs until they take a running back.

I could see someone like Moss or Akers being available in the third or fourth round for the Lions, which is where I think they should be selecting a RB at the earliest.

Wide Receiver

1. Michael Pittman Jr.
2. Denzel Mims
3. KJ Hamler
4. Tee Higgins
5. Bryan Edwards

There are a lot of talented receivers on the board still and some that I didn’t even have a chance to name. Michael Pittman is my favorite fit for the Lions in terms of who’s left as a potential Marvin Jones replacement, but I also really like KJ Hamler and Denzel Mims. I could easily see the Lions addressing this position with any of their Day 2 picks and it makes sense since they don’t have a single receiver currently under contract past this year.

Defensive tackle

1. Ross Blacklock
2. Jordan Elliot
3. Justin Madubuike
4. Leki Fotu
5. Raekwon Davis

The Lions may have gotten themselves a pair of defensive tackles in free agency, but they could still use some push from the interior and grab a defensive tackle with some pass rush potential. We also know they’re probably going to target one with the ability to stop the run, so really anyone is on the table at this point.

Blacklock is athletic and has a ton of juice for a defensive tackle, so if the Lions want pass rush potential, then he could be their guy. He’s also a pretty solid run defender. If they want another big-bodied guy to plug some holes, then look no further than Fotu. It will be interesting to see who the Lions target if they choose to address DT on Day 2.