3 Players the Lions Need to Avoid With Their First-Round Pick

The Detroit Lions are a team that seems to be in a perpetual rebuild, despite having stability at the quarterback position. They have been active during the offseason, but they have essentially only added talent to replace the players that left town.

Because of this, the needs on this Lions team are pretty much the same as they were at the start of the offseason. With the third overall pick in their possession, it's easy to see a scenario where someone tries to trade up and draft quarterback Tua Tagovailoa at that spot. Detroit needs to be careful of trading too far down, because they don't want to miss out on top prospects at areas of need.

With that in mind, here are three players the Lions need to avoid with their first-round pick in 2020.

1. Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa

Tristan Wirfs is an athletic offensive tackle. / Matthew Holst/Getty Images

Tristan Wirfs is arguably the top offensive line prospect in the draft. While Detroit needs some help up front, it cannot draft him at third overall and it shouldn't put itself in a position lower in the order where it feels like it needs to take him there. Offensive line is deep in this draft, and there are more glaring issues that need to be addressed right away.

2. Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama

Jerry Jeudy is regarded as the top wide receiver prospect. / Harry How/Getty Images

There are some projecting Detroit to take a wide receiver early in the draft, especially if it trades its first pick, which seems locked on cornerback Jeff Okudah if it stays in the top five. I know Lions fans are longing for a dominant receiver like Calvin Johnson again, but wide receiver should not be in their top five or six positions to address in the draft, with obvious needs in a number of other areas and capable receivers on roster. While Jerry Jeudy is solid, he does not make the Lions much better.

3. CJ Henderson, CB, Florida

CJ Henderson is a top cornerback prospect out of Florida. / Don Juan Moore/Getty Images

Projected as the second-best corner behind Okudah, C.J. Henderson brings a level of risk that the Lions do not need to entertain. If they have Okudah in their crosshairs, they shouldn't think twice about the pick. If they trade down and miss Okudah, Henderson may move up their draft board. Despite it being a top position of need, it doesn't mean you should reach on Henderson.

Get $20 FREE when you sign up for FanDuel Racing, plus we’ll match your first deposit in site credit up to $50!