The 2020 NFL Draft pretty much starts with the Detroit Lions selecting No. 3 overall. At this point, it’s a foregone conclusion that the Bengals will go with LSU quarterback Joe Burrow at No. 1. From there, the Redskins seem to be locked into Ohio State edge rusher Chase Young with the second pick.
Previous reports concluded that Detroit has a deal in place to send the No. 3 selection to the Miami Dolphins. If so, the Lions will be selecting fifth overall. Either way, general manager Bob Quinn and Co. hold all of the cards.
Unfortunately, it appears that Quinn and head coach Matt Patricia are not on the same page. According to Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports, there’s a split between the two regarding their target player in the top five.
“The draft begins with Detroit. Teams are having a tough time figuring out if the Lions are going with Jeff Okudah or Derrick Brown,” Jones reported. “A league source indicated to me GM Bob Quinn favors Okudah while head coach Matt Patricia wants Brown. If the Lions do trade back, it’s believed they won’t go past the Chargers’ pick at No. 6.
The Lions have been linked to Okudah after trading away Pro Bowl cornerback Darius Slay earlier in the offseason. Adding the consensus No. 1 corner in the draft makes sense.
Though, Slay’s relationship with Patricia in Detroit could also play a role in his decision-making process. Coming from New England, he might not value the cornerback position that high.
As it is, Detroit finds itself at a turning point heading into the draft Thursday evening. Both Quinn and Patricia are firmly on the hot seat. A repeat performance of last season’s last-place finish would likely end their tenures in Detroit. There now seems to be a split between the two. That’s never a great thing with the draft approaching in mere hours.