Detroit Lions full 2020 NFL mock draft

Purdue product Markus Bailey is one of the biggest sleepers in this year’s draft class, and he would be a massive steal if he slides into the fifth round for the Detroit Lions to snap up.

Bailey’s stock is quiet because of a season-ending knee injury holding him to only two games as a fifth-year senior, but he had a whopping 115 tackles with nine tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks in 2018. He was also exceptional in 2017 as a key starter for the Purdue defense.

There’s little Bailey can’t do at the linebacker position. He was a leader for Purdue, an excellent run defender, an adept pass rusher, and even a quality cover guy. Bailey can play at any linebacker spot for the Lions and immediately challenge for significant playing time.

Rhode Island offensive lineman Kyle Murphy can help beef up the Detroit Lions depth at the guard position heading into 2020. Murphy can play at either guard or tackle, so the versatility is a benefit, but he’s far more likely to play at guard in the NFL. If he is to develop into a starter at the next level, which is entirely possible, then it will be at guard. Murphy is a quality pass protector, and the Lions would do well to give him a chance to develop into something.

Another guard prospect, Cameron Clark played offensive tackle for the UNC-Charlotte 49ers in Conference USA, but his lack of athleticism makes him a much better fit at the guard position at the next level.

Between Clark and Murphy, the Lions should land on at least one quality depth piece on the offensive line, and it’s entirely possible one of them proves they are capable of playing at tackle, too. Clark has the frame to do so at 6-foot-5, 294 pounds, where Murphy is significantly shorter.

In terms of on-field performance, Clark was excellent at UNC-Charlotte, and while the step up in competition will be steep, patience from the Lions could be rewarded in the form of a starting-caliber guard.

Finally, the Detroit Lions should take on more flier on a wide receiver, adding to their impressive collection of talent at the position, which includes legitimate star players Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones. Jeff Thomas is undersized at 5-foot-10, 170 pounds, but he has exciting raw talent that was never utilized properly by the Miami Hurricanes coaching staff and quarterbacks. He is the kind of player who can transcend his college stats and come out of nowhere to become a playmaker in the NFL.

Great value in the seventh round of the draft, Thomas is an excellent athlete who is capable of making highlight-reel catches. His quickness is exceptional and could allow him to carve out a niche playmaking role in the Lions offense, where he’d benefit greatly from the supporting cast of wide receivers and a highly competent quarterback in Stafford.