Draft analyst: Clemson’s Isaiah Simmons, Auburn’s Derrick Brown unlikely to land outside top 10

With the third pick of the 2020 NFL draft, the Detroit Lions select …

That’s the big debate. The first two players drafted are all but set in stone at this point, as Cincinnati appears well on its way to selecting LSU quarterback Joe Burrow with the No. 1 overall pick, followed by Ohio State edge Chase Young going to Washington with the second pick.

But the third player selected is anyone’s guess, as Detroit could stay put or trade the pick away if a team – Miami? – is desperate enough to go after Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa.

Isaiah Simmons earned a career coverage grade of 93.0 despite lining up virtually everywhere pic.twitter.com/r72Z7zkbIP

— PFF College (@PFF_College) January 23, 2020

The Yahoo Sports lead NFL draft analyst has three candidates in mind – including two who play at positions that aren’t traditionally drafted very high.

“If the Lions are stuck at three, I could see them discussing Okudah, Brown and Simmons,” said Eric Edholm in an email interview with Fanspeak. “All three would make some sense. All three are top-10 prospects for me.”

Of course, Edholm is referring to Ohio State cornerback Jeffrey Okudah, Auburn defensive lineman Derrick Brown and Clemson safety/linebacker Isaiah Simmons.

Cornerback is considered a premium position, and Okudah is the best in his draft class. Plus defensive tackles and non-pass rushing linebackers and safeties traditionally don’t go as high in the draft.

So let’s assume that Okudah is next off the board after Burrow and Young. Will Brown or Simmons last much longer?

Edholm has a message for teams like the New York Jets (pick No. 11) and Las Vegas Raiders (pick No. 12): If you’re hoping one (or both) of those players falls outside the top 10, you may be in for a big disappointment.

“I doubt any of them get out of the top 10-12 selections,” he said. “It would require three QBs going ahead of them, maybe 1-2 receivers and perhaps a mini-run on OTs for that to happen.”