4 Second-Round OL Targets for Lions

Our Vito Chirco takes a look at four second-round OL targets for the Lions in this year's NFL Draft

Vito Chirco | Mar 25, 2020

As I wrote about yesterday, former Ohio State cornerback Jeff Okudah is pretty much a consensus pick at No. 3 overall for the Lions in this year's NFL Draft.

But what will Detroit general manager Bob Quinn do with the team's second-round selection (No. 35 overall)?

Here are some potential offensive linemen targets (as first written about by The MMQB's Gary Gramling):

Michigan C Cesar Ruiz

The big man will provide an NFL squad with consistent physicality at the center position.

He possesses superb strength, and is a solid performer in both pass protection and run blocking.

According to Pro Football Focus, he finished the 2019 regular season with a streak of 222 straight snaps in pass protection in which he didn't allow a single QB pressure.

Fun nugget found in the @PFF_College database: @UMichFootball Michigan center Cesar Ruiz has now spent 222 straight snaps in pass protection without a single QB pressure allowed.

That's six straight games with no pressures allowed including games against OSU, MSU, ND and PSU.
— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) December 5, 2019

LSU C Lloyd Cushenberry

He brings athleticism to the center position, and is sufficient in both run-and-pass-blocking duties. Also, he's known to be a tough competitor that does a good job of getting to the second level.

And most importantly to the Lions and all 32 NFL franchises, he carries with him an immense amount of versatility -- with the ability to line up at guard as well.

All of the above would make him a nice addition to the Lions' offensive line in 2020 and beyond.

Clemson C John Simpson

Just like Cushenberry, he does an excellent job of getting to the second level.

And he has a mean streak that would make him a highly attractive second-round pick.

Louisiana OL Robert Hunt

Hunt takes out his anger on the football field in superb fashion, and is a big, strong man -- standing in at 6-foot-5, 322 pounds.

It's why it's easy to understand why scouts are high on him and expect him to be a contributor to a team from day one of his NFL career.

For MMQB's look at the entire NFC North, click here.

2020 Mock Draft: Detroit Lions 3-Round Mock Draft

Published Mar 25, 2020

VITO CHIRCO

Vito has covered the NFL and the Detroit Lions for the past five years. Has extensive reporting history of college athletics, the Detroit Tigers and Detroit Mercy Athletics. Chirco's work include NFL columns, analyzing potential Detroit Lions prospects coming out of college, NFL draft coverage and analysis of events occurring in the NFL. Extensive broadcasting experience including hosting a Detroit Tigers podcast and co-hosting a Detroit Lions NFL podcast since 2019.