2020 NFL Draft essentially starts with third overall pick held by Detroit Lions

Joe Burrow is 99.999 percent going first overall in Round 1 of the 2020 NFL Draft on April 23 to the Cincinnati Bengals – the Miami Dolphins are trying to trade up to that spot, but they want Burrow too. Ohio State defensive end Chase Young isn't quite that sure of a thing to go No. 2 overall to the Washington Redskins but most likely will. William Hill sportsbook offers a prop on which player is picked second and Young is the clear-cut -300 favorite.

Thus, the 2020 draft really starts with the third pick currently held by the Detroit Lions. They could certainly trade that pick for a team desperate to land Tua Tagovailoa. However, the Lions badly need an immediate difference-maker on defense and both Coach Matt Patricia and GM Bob Quinn are on very hot seats. Thus, trading down might not be prudent when trying to win in 2020.

Detroit is +1200 to be the team to pick Tagovailoa, +260 to take Young, +300 for Clemson linebacker Isaiah Simmons and a +125 favorite to be the team that drafts Ohio State cornerback Jeff Okudah. That would fit a need as the Lions traded top cornerback Darius Slay to Philadelphia this offseason. That Okudah is picked by Detroit is a separate prop itself and is priced -300. 

Most experts agree that Detroit needs help on the defensive line too, so in theory that might rule out Simmons – especially with the team signing free-agent linebacker Jamie Collins. Simmons is given an Over-Under draft position of 6.5 and Okudah 4.5.

The last time the Lions had a Top 5 pick was in 2013 when they took BYU defensive end Ezekiel Ansah at No. 5. Ziggy had a few fine seasons with the Lions but had trouble staying healthy and spent 2019 with Seattle. The No. 3 overall pick last year was Alabama defensive tackle Quinnen Williams by the Giants. He was just OK.

NFL pick: Lions stay put and take Okudah.