For weeks now, the Lions and Jeffrey Okudah have felt like a match in the first round of the draft. Whether Detroit trades down or stands pat, the experts agree the club is
glued to the cornerback from Ohio State.
But in his final mock Thursday morning, Kiper changed his mind. With the third overall pick, the Lions select Auburn DT Derrick Brown.
“Detroit needs to go defense here -- cornerback Jeff Okudah also makes sense -- and Brown fills a huge hole in the middle of this front seven. Plus, he’s more than just a run-plugger,"
writes Kiper. "This is a spot to watch for a trade.”
Brown has been on Detroit's radar for a while, and the coaching staff has reportedly taken
a strong liking to him of late. He was a wrecking ball in the middle of Auburn's defensive line who could step in right away for the Lions.
Still, it'd be a surprise to see Detroit pass on Okudah. He's an NFL-ready player with star potential, at a position the Lions have a major need. Kiper has Okudah falling all the way to No. 9, but he
remains the favorite to go No. 3.
