Detroit Lions Mock Draft 3.0: Trading back in the first round

Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
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With the 41st overall pick in the NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions select Gregory Rousseau.

Like Parsons, Gregory Rousseau decided to sit out for the 2020 season due to the coronavirus pandemic.  Rousseau is projected to slide into the second round of the draft because of this. Simultaneously, his college teammate Jaelan Phillips is expected to go in the first round despite his history of battling concussions.

Rousseau is just a year removed from compiling a stellar 15.5 sacks as a redshirt freshman in 2019.  That is some extraordinary production at any level if you were to ask me, and there is no telling what he could have accomplished if he decided to play this past season for Miami University.

Even if Rousseau took a step back in 2020, recording, say, 10 sacks, he’d be a sure bet to be drafted in the top-ten of this draft.

https://twitter.com/ACCFootball/status/1244621622549585922?s=20

Any NFL team can use a defensive end that has the potential to produce this type of production.  Similar to Parsons, Rousseau brings plenty of versatility to his game.  He’s an imposing figure standing 6-foot-7, playing at nearly 270-pounds.

Rousseau has the ability to line up in a five or seven-technique on early downs plus even in a three-technique rushing from the interior on third down or sure-passing situations.

In addition to the 15.5 sacks, the former Hurricane recorded 59 tackles, two forced fumbles, plus recovering one.

Notable players available: Rondale Moore, Liam Eichenberg, Baron Browning, Asante Samuel Jr, and Jabril Cox.