Grading the Detroit Lions’ 5th-round picks: WR Quintez Cephus, RB Jason Huntley

In the fifth-round the Detroit Lions added a couple of skill position players, but likely not the players that many expected Detroit to take at this point.

With guys like Senior Bowl standout Bradlee Anae on the board, Detroit selected two players that are likely special teams players, at best, to start their Lions careers. Let’s break them down individually.

Round 5, Pick 21 (166) - Wisconsin WR Quintez Cephus

Another low-separation receiver

Cephus lacks the athletic traits and the route running skills to create a lot of separation. That actually leaves him in good company in this Lions receiving corps, as none of Detroit’s receivers have exceptional athletic traits.

Great hands

As you can see from his athletic card, Cephus has ups, and it leads to some highlight-reel catches when combined with his somewhat reliable hands.

He tracks the ball well and doesn’t seem to mind defenders all over his back. With a quarterback as precise and fast as Matthew Stafford, it could work.

Willing blocker

We know the Lions like their receivers to do everything, including blocking, and Cephus is more than willing to accept that role. Unprompted, he brought that up in his introductory teleconference with Detroit media:

“I’m a complete receiver. I’m willing to block. I’m willing to make catches. I’m willing to do whatever I need to do to help my team be successful.”

He uses his size to his advantage in this aspect of his game and will probably come in as one of the more polished blockers in this class of receivers.

Has Okudah’s respect

Although the rest of the tape doesn’t seem to suggest it, Lions first-round pick Jeff Okudah said that Cephus is the best receiver he’s gone against. And, remember, he said this before he was teammates with him:

Overall

Cephus isn’t likely to have much of an impact in Year 1, and even his special teams potential seems relatively low. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the sexual assault allegation that cost him a year at Wisconsin, but he was found not guilty, so you can’t hold it against him. Wisconsin coaches have only since praised his character.

“He’s selfless. I think he’s an unbelievable teammate because one, he truly cares about the guys, each individual,” Badgers head coach Paul Chryst said back in December.

Cephus looks like a low-ceiling, low-floor kind of player that I don’t see a huge role for in 2020. This late in the draft, you aren’t getting big contributors anyways, but I just don’t see the potential here. Grade: D

Round 5, Pick 27 (172) - New Mexico State RB Jason Huntley

Speeeeeeeeeeeeed

Faaaaaaaaaaast

And some production, too...

Until his senior year, Huntley wasn’t a big part of New Mexico State’s rushing attack. Although he rushed for 1,090 yards, 7.1 yards per carry and nine touchdowns his senior season, he also had five fumbles.

As a receiver, he hauled in at least 39 catches in three straight seasons, making him a potential weapon in the screen game.

Fit?

In a lot of ways, Huntley brings exactly what the Lions wanted in last year’s sixth-round selection of Ty Johnson. Johnson didn’t contribute much to the team until late in the season, so this could simply be an attempt to create some competition at the bottom of the running back depth chart and see who wins.

Overall

Huntley certainly has a higher ceiling than Cephus, but with Johnson already on the roster, he feels a bit redundant. But if this is a sign the Lions weren’t impressed with Ty, there’s no harm in trying again with a late fifth-round pick. He could also bring some of the gadget play value that Detroit tried to get out of J.D. McKissic last year. Grade: C+