MOBILE, Ala. — Mock draft season is upon us, with ESPN’s Mel Kiper projecting Detroit to use the third overall pick on Ohio State cornerback Jeff Okudah in his first mock of the year. Kiper has LSU quarterback Joe Burrow going first overall to Cincinnati, then Ohio State defensive lineman Chase Young going second to Washington. Clemson do-everything Isaiah Simmons (Giants) and Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (Dolphins) round out the top five. “This pick has to be on defense, right?” Kiper writes. “After the Lions spent a boatload of money in free agency last year on pass rusher Trey Flowers and cornerback Justin Coleman, I thought they might take a step up. That didn’t happen in a disappointing season, as Matt Patricia’s defense gave up the NFL’s most passing yards per game (284.4) and had the second-fewest sacks (28). Combine that with a half-season from Matthew Stafford and you get…
Continue Reading: Detroit Lions take Ohio State CB Jeff Okudah in Mel Kiper’s first mock draft
