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Day 2 has been an interesting one for Detroit Lions general manager Bob Quinn. In the past, he’s struggled to get appropriate value out of the team’s second-round picks, but his third-round picks have quite the reputation. Quinn has been able to get the likes of Kenny Golladay, Graham Glasgow and Tracy Walker in the third round. But he flubbed Teez Tabor, A’Shawn Robinson and quite possibly Kerryon Johnson in the second.
So how did Quinn do this year? Obviously, it’s far too early to say. Georgia running back D’Andre Swift was a controversial pick at 35, but it’s one that could also have a tremendous payoff, seeing as Swift was just the second running back off the board. Quinn’s third-round picks were much more fan friendly, finally grabbing a pass rusher in Julian Okwara and filling their biggest need with Ohio State guard Jonah Jackson.
How did the rest of the sports world view the Lions’ Day 2 picks? Let’s look at some grades.
NFL.com (Chad Reuter)
Overall Day 2 grade: A
Analysis:
“Finding Okwara in the third round was an amazing value. I believe he would have been a first-round pick if not for the broken fibula he suffered last season. Julian and his brother, Romeo — a fifth-year defensive end for the Lions — will be a strong combination on the outside.”
CBS Sports (Chris Trapasso) Round 2, Round 3
Individual grades:
- D’Andre Swift: C+
- Julian Okwara: A-
- Jonah Jackson: A
Analysis:
Swift:
“Swift ran through huge lanes at Georgia. Elusiveness lacking.”
Okwara:
“Okwara is a long, super-powerful edge rusher with first-round flashes because of his bull rush and occasional pass-rush moves”
Jackson:
“Not a high-level athlete but superb balance and recovery skills. Awesome hand work.”
Sports Illustrated (Andy Benoit)
Individual grades:
- D’Andre Swift: A-
- Julian Okwara: A+
- Jonah Jackson: A-
Swift:
“Swift was a highly refined zone runner at Georgia and will operate mainly out of those designs in coordinator Darrell Bevell’s offense.”
Okwara:
“Julian is more of a dynamic edge defender, with the length, burst and flexibility to turn the corner and reach the quarterback. Guys with those attributes are not usually available in Round 3.”
Jackson:
“The Lions invested in their long-stagnant run game early on Friday, drafting Georgia’s D’Andre Swift. Then, they did it again, taking Jackson, who has a chance to start immediately at right guard ahead of middling veterans Oday Aboushi and Kenny Wiggins”
Yahoo Sports (Eric Edholm)
Individual grades:
- D’Andre Swift: A-
- Julian Okwara: B-
- Jonah Jackson: C-
Swift:
“Swift isn’t built to be a workhorse but can be a great complement to Kerryon Johnson and a 15-touch-per-game weapon right away”
Okwara:
“He has some pass-rush tools and outstanding athletic traits but must become a better run defender and be a little more accountable.”
Jackson:
“Jackson was outside our top 100 and felt like a Day 3 pick to us, but this isn’t a massive reach for a strong, sturdy interior blocker who could work his way into a starting spot.”
Draft Wire (Luke Easterling)
Individual grades:
Swift:
“Swift is a first-round talent with a complete skill set who can make big plays on all three downs. He’s a physical runner with fantastic quickness and vision, with the explosiveness to hit paydirt on every touch.”
Okwara:
“He can turn the corner and beat offensive tackles with his quickness, and he can also drop back in coverage effectively.”
Jackson:
“Jackson is a well-rounded blocker who brings a bit of everything to the table. He’s a strong powerful who packs a mean punch, but he also has solid body control and agility”