With The First Pick
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2020 NFL Draft mock: Preparing the Detroit Lions for contention

By Walker Kelly

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announces a pick by the Detroit Lions during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announces a pick by the Detroit Lions during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA – NOVEMBER 09: Justin Jefferson #2 of the LSU Tigers goes out of bounds during the first half against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the game at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 09, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA – NOVEMBER 09: Justin Jefferson #2 of the LSU Tigers goes out of bounds during the first half against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the game at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 09, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /

Scouting Report. Round 4. Pick 104. Justin Jefferson. WR. Pick Analysis. player. 817

Before his season-ending back injury, Matthew Stafford was playing at an elite level despite having no wide receiver who can consistently use speed to separate from defenders. Kenny Golladay is a great player, but he’s more of a contested-catch specialist.

The rest of the receiver room consists of Marvin Jones (free agent after next season), Danny Amendola (free agent after this season), and Marvin Hall (19 career receptions). This is a unit that could badly use some depth.

Luckily, the 2020 class is loaded with good wide receivers well into day three. Jefferson would add another element to Detroit’s passing offense, making them even more dangerous and further tailoring the offense to Stafford’s strengths.

The LSU playmaker has the speed to burn slower cornerbacks and the nuanced route-running ability to be an immediate contributor at the next level. His stat line backs up what can be seen on tape, as Jefferson has put up a gaudy line of 88 receptions, 1,207 yards, and 14 touchdowns in 2019, all three of which are top ten among all FBS receivers.

Long story short, Justin Jefferson is the missing piece that could turn Detroit’s offense into an elite unit. Getting such a player in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft is the icing on the cake.

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