Detroit Lions Rookies Forecast

By Charlie Campbell – @draftcampbell

Solid Starter

Austin Bryant, DE, Clemson – Round 4
With the New England Patriots, Bill Belichick has made a habit of getting good edge-rush production out of mid-round picks. Lions coach Matt Patricia just added one of those contributors to Detroit with the signing of Trey Flowers, and Patricia could have found a partner to go with Flowers in the fourth round with Bryant. While he isn’t an elite athlete, Bryant does well cleaning up the trash that other defensive linemen cause. With the Lions, that could work out well with Flowers, Da’Shawn Hand, A’Shawn Robinson and Snacks Harrison causing the initial disruption that Bryant cleans up.

In 2018, Bryant totaled 43 tackles with 14.5 tackles for a loss and eight sacks. He was a solid defender for Clemson, but clearly benefited from the three first-round defensive linemen next to him. In 2017, Bryant totaled 8.5 sacks with 50 tackles, 15.5 for a loss, one interception and two forced fumbles, so he had back-to-back seasons of good production for the Tigers.

I don’t think Bryant will become a Pro Bowler who produces double-digit sacks seasons in the NFL, but he could become a solid starter who does a nice job of complementing the other pieces on the Detroit line.

2018: Frank Ragnow, C
2017: Jalen Tabor, CB
2016: Taylor Decker, OT
2015: Laken Tomlinson, G
2014: Travis Swanson, C
2013: Darius Slay, CB

Most Likely To Bust

Will Harris, S, Boston College – Round 3
I wasn’t a fan of the Lions’ selections on Day 2, Hawaii linebacker Jahlani Tavai and Boston College safety Will Harris. Of those two picks, I think Harris has the most potential to be a bust because he has coverage limitations. In college, Harris was a tough strong safety who was a hard hitter and a solid eighth man in the box. I could see him doing that role well as a pro, but in the passing-driven NFL, safeties who have issues in coverage have a hard time staying on the field and earning starting positions.

Harris did not make a lot of plays on the ball in college, and I think he could have problems covering up receivers or tight ends downfield. As a pro, it wouldn’t surprise me if Harris ends up topping out as a backup safety and special teams player. Third-round picks are projected by teams to be initial backups with the potential to develop into starters, so I think Harris could have bust potential if he only ends up being a quality backup.

2018: Tracy Walker, S
2017: Michael Roberts, TE
2016: A’Shawn Robinson, DT
2015: Alex Carter, CB
2014: Eric Ebron, TE
2013: Ezekiel Ansah, DE

Potential Boom Pick

T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa – Round 1
The Lions needed to improve their offense, and Hockenson will help them in both phases with plug-and-play starting potential. Immediately, Hockenson gives them a mismatch weapon in the passing game and an improved blocking presence in the ground game. Hockenson could be one of the better players on the Detroit offense as early as his rookie season.

Hockenson has mismatch potential for the passing game. With his quickness and athleticism, he will be tough for linebackers to cover, and his size is problematic for safeties. Hockenson does a nice job of using his frame to shield defenders from the ball and win on contested catches. He has reliable hands and is dangerous after the catch. Hockenson runs through tackles and gets yards after contact downfield. He can also hurdle defensive backs in the open field, but in the NFL, he may want to be careful about doing that due to it putting his body in a vulnerable state.

Hockenson is dangerous at working the middle seam with quickness to get to the second level. With good route-running and his feel, Hockenson can consistently get open. He tracks the ball well, adjusts to passes well, and is a real asset in the red zone. Hockenson will be a main stay in the red zone for the Lions through his blocking and receiving ability. With his athletic upside, his best football is in front of him as he should improve as he gains experience.

As a blocker, Hockenson is special. He is like an extra offensive lineman in the game with his ability to tie up and handle defenders. He has size and strength give him the ability to win his blocks at the NFL level as well. Hockenson gives a relentless effort and has excellent technique. His blocking should improve with pro coaching, but he enters the NFL as a plus blocker and significantly better than most receiving-tight end prospects.

Sources from multiple teams told me that Hockenson did not grade out as high as O.J. Howard did coming out of Alabama in 2017, or Eric Ebron did coming out of North Carolina in 2014, but Hockenson was still a valid first-round pick. In an offense in need of play-makers, Hockenson has boom potential for Detroit.

2018: Kerryon Johnson, RB
2017: Jarrad Davis, LB
2016: Graham Glasgow, C
2015: Ameer Abdullah, RB
2014: Kyle Van Noy, LB
2013: Larry Warford, G

Future Depth Player

Amani Oruwariye, CB, Penn State – Round 5
NFL defenses are always in need of cornerback depth, and the Lions got an excellent value with Amani Oruwariye in the fifth round. He could have gone on Day 2, so landing him well into Day 3 makes a potential steal.

For the NFL, Oruwariye is a big, long, physical corner who fits well as a press-man or zone corner. He has good instincts and is adept at covering up receivers who come into his area. With his height, length and strength, he is skilled at defending big receivers and battling them on contested catches. He has good ball skills and high points the ball well to make him a threat to pick off passes or knock them away. He times contact well to break up passes and is a polished defender.

The big issue that might keep Oruwariye from being a starting corner is a lack of speed. However, he could be a good backup and rotational corner who is used to match up against big receivers or rotate in when the Lions want to play zone or press man. I think Oruwariye could end up being a good backup and rotational third or fourth corner.

2018: Da’Shawn Hand, DE
2017: Brad Kaaya, QB
2016: Miles Killebrew, S
2015: Quandre Diggs, CB
2014: Larry Webster, DE
2013: Devin Taylor, DE

Walt’s 2019 NFL Draft Grades:

8. T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa C Grade
This pick will be hailed as a great selection by the media because T.J. Hockenson is a big name, but I’m not a huge fan. Tight ends typically go later than anticipated, so using the eighth-overall selection on one seems questionable, especially with a stud player like Ed Oliver still on the board. Hockenson will be a terrific player for the Lions, so I won’t grade this poorly, but they should’ve either chosen Oliver or moved down a few spots to get more value than this.

43. Jahlani Tavai, LB, Hawaii B- Grade
Jahlani Tavai is a linebacker with pedestrian instincts, which doesn’t sound great. However, he has three-down ability. He’s forceful against the run and athletic enough to drop into coverage. I think this is a bit early for Tavai, who was a low Round 2/high Round 3 prospect, but he makes sense for the Lions, who had to upgrade their horrible linebacking corps.

81. Will Harris, S, Boston College A- Grade
Will Harris is a “Patriots-type player,” through and through. I mocked Harris to the Patriots in the third round, so I’m not surprised at all that the Lions stole him from them. Harris is a talented player who provides great leadership skills. I like this pick from both a needs, range and fit perspective.

117. Austin Bryant, DE, Clemson B+ Grade
Austin Bryant was once considered a potential second-round prospect, but he has some injury concerns that caused him to drop. Bryant is also a bit stiff, so I don’t think the upside is there, despite his high production at Clemson. Still, he should be a solid player for the Lions, as Bryant is a high-character prospect.

146. Amani Oruwariye, CB, Penn State A Grade
The NFL needs to slow the draft down to give the prospects the attention they deserve. NFL Network didn’t even mention Amani Oruwariye, who was a solid pick by the Lions. Oruwariye doesn’t have very good speed, which is why he fell to Day 3, but I consider him a steal because he’s a smart cornerback with nice length. He could definitely end up starting and playing well for Detroit.

184. Travis Fulgham, WR, Old Dominion B Grade
Travis Fulgham is limited in what he can do on a football field, but that does not apply to his vertical game. Fulgham is 6-3, 215, and he has above-average athleticism. He should be a solid No. 4 receiver in the NFL, and the sixth round is the correct time to take someone like that.

186. Ty Johnson, RB, Maryland C- Grade
I didn’t see Ty Johnson as a draftable player. He never appeared in a single mock draft. He has a nice burst, but was displaced as the primary back in his senior season. He should’ve been a UDFA signing.

224. Isaac Nauta, TE, Georgia C Grade
Isaac Nauta was one of the worst testers at any position at the combine, which didn’t mesh well with his sub-par route-running ability. Nauta isn’t a poor blocker, but there aren’t many positives here. This is not a very good pick.

229. P.J. Johnson, NT, Arizona B Grade
P.J. Johnson played just nine games of Division I-A football, as he was a transfer from Sacramento State. He has some upside, but is an unknown at the moment. He has a chance to stick as Detroit’s backup nose tackle. He’s worth taking a shot on in the seventh round.

2019 NFL Draft Team Grade: B- . Follow Walter @walterfootball for updates.

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