The Detroit Lions have one of the youngest rosters in the NFL, and that’s obviously by design. General Manager Brad Holmes has had a long-term focus for this team since he stepped into the building about 15 months ago. The team has not only parted with bulky contracts of older players, but also focused on drafting and attracting young players with high potential in the free hand.
But the team is also focused on developing leftover players from the previous regime. For all the mistakes Bob Quinn and Matt Patricia have had, there are at least a few players who drafted them and were worth staying around. A case in point: the 2020 draft class.
We often talk about the big leap between Year 1 and Year 2 in the NFL. In fact, head coach Dan Campbell made the point when he spoke to the media a few weeks ago.
“They don’t make bigger leaps than from (year) one to two,” Campbell said. “It’s the biggest jump most guys make.”
But that’s not a universal truth in the NFL. No player is guaranteed to make this jump, and some players don’t make this jump at all. Some players’ first few years are derailed by injuries, while others may need a little longer than just an extra off-season.
So let’s look back at the 2020 draft class and the eight of nine picks still on the list and see who could be in for a jump into Year 3.
Today’s question of the day is:
Which 2020 Detroit Lions Draft Pick is Due for a Year 3 Jump?
My answer: Here’s a look at the players remaining in the roster in this draft class:
- Jeff Okudah
- D’Andre Swift
- Julian Okwara
- Jonah Jackson
- Logan Stenberg
- Quintet Kephus
- John Penisini
- Jason Cornell
Obviously, the first name is the one that jumps out the most. Okudah appeared ready for the eruption last year after bonding with his new coaching staff and receiving a ton of hype from coaches and teammates. The Achilles injury only ended that pursuit a single game that season.
He’s certainly a prime candidate for the Year 3 breakout, but given the severity of his injury, it’s difficult to place much trust in him. Based on his social media posts, his rehabilitation appears to be going well and preparing for the start of training camp appears to be on the table. But it’s hard to know how much of his athleticism is left before seeing him on the field in game-paced situations.
Swift would be an interesting answer to the question. After running more than 1,000 yards from scrimmage last year, it would be hard to call everything he does in 2022 a true “breakout” season. That is, unless he came up with numbers that would get him on the Pro Bowl or All Pro talk. Injuries shortened his first two seasons in the NFL. So if he could just stay healthy for a full 17-game season, we should expect a significant boost in production. But could he break into the top 5 running back discussion? He certainly has the offensive line to thrive and entering the second year of a new offensive system could help as well.
Julian Okwara is certainly still waiting to reach his peak and he is dealing with some injuries that have slowed his development. However, I wonder if he’ll even have a chance to have a breakout season — especially if the Lions call up a full-back earlier this year.
Jonah Jackson was a Pro Bowler last year, so while I expect continued improvement, I don’t think a “breakout” season is on the table. Logan Stenberg may not make the 53-man roster. John Penisini and Jashon Cornell are also in the squad bubble.
That leaves Quintez Cephus. He too will have to fight for chances in an improved wide receiver room. However, he did show lightning in 2021 to be a potential weapon. If he hadn’t broken his collarbone in Week 5, last year could have been his breakout season. But will he see the field enough to demonstrate his worth now that DJ Chark and Josh Reynolds are in town? And if Detroit pulls in a wide receiver early, Cephus may be on the roster bubble headed to training camp.
Overall I think the answer has to be Jeff Okudah. He appears to be on his way to “full” health by the time training camp arrives. He will have the opportunity to play on the field. And with his unmatched work ethic, you know this guy will put everything he’s got into his comeback.
It’s your turn.