Jeff Seidel | Detroit Free Press

Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press

There was a lot to love about what the Detroit Lions did Friday night on the second day of the 2020 NFL Draft.

The Lions grabbed the top running back, a gifted pass rusher and then traded up for a guard, filling three significant needs. And now, I’m going to say something I don’t say very often: Lions general manager Bob Quinn had a fantastic night.

Georgia running back D’Andre Swift, the second-round pick, strengthens the Lions' running game, which will only help the passing game. And it actually helps the defense, the longer the offense can hold the ball.

Dale Zanine, USA TODAY Sports

Then, the Lions took Notre Dame outside linebacker Julian Okwara with the third pick in Round 3 (No. 67 overall). That should be a familiar name for Lions fans — his older brother is Romeo Okwara, a Lions defensive end.

“Yeah, man, it’s awesome,” Julian said. “I’m pretty much speechless.”

You can quibble about the order of the picks — and yes, Lions fans will quibble. They have plenty of reason to be skeptical.

Some might argue the Lions should have taken a defensive player in the second round, and there is some logic to that argument. There were a bunch of talented defensive players taken in the second round before the Lions got to take one of them.

But there is also a counter to that argument: I don’t think Swift was going to last much longer.

Quinn got bold and aggressive.

He traded up to take Ohio State guard Jonah Jackson.

Which was a fine way to end the night.

They filled holes. There was no pick that made you scream: "Why in the world!?"

Will all of these players work out? Will they reach their potential? We don't know. But all of these picks made sense.

Barry 'my favorite back'

All three of these players have qualities that make them extremely appealing.

Here’s the thing I love the most about Swift: he was not overused in college.

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Detroit Lions pick D'Andre Swift in Round 2: Best photos

He carried the ball just 440 times in his entire college career; by comparison, J.K. Dobbins had 725 carries at Ohio State and Jonathan Taylor had 926 at Wisconsin.

So what did Swift think when the Lions drafted him?

“The first thing that came to my mind was Barry Sanders, he’s my favorite back of all-time,” Swift said. “I didn’t really know too much about them. I don’t have a favorite football team, I just like watching football in general. Now that I’m a Lion, I’m going to definitely do my history.”

Okwara, Okwara

I have a feeling the Lions would have loved to take Michigan outside linebacker Josh Uche, but the New England Patriots moved up and took him with the 60th pick.

But they were able to take Okwara, who says he is healthy after suffering a broken leg at Notre Dame.

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Detroit Lions select OLB Julian Okwara in Round 3: Best photos

Okwara showed up in South Bend at 215 pounds and he now tips the scales at 255.

They say he can get even bigger and stronger. He is not a finished product. But that could be a good thing, too: He hasn’t reached his ceiling.

But there is another side to him. He was a Notre Dame captain.

And he plans to live with his brother.

“I’m looking forward to a rent-free year,” he said.

Yeah, he’s smart, too.

Senior Bowl vision

Jackson has an interesting background. He grew up outside Philadelphia and went to Rutgers.

And then went to Ohio State as a graduate transfer.

So yeah, he's smart, too.

"I went to Ohio State just looking for an opportunity," he said. "To get the ring and gold pants was awesome."

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Detroit Lions select Jonah Jackson in Round 3: Best photos

The Lions coaches were able to work with him at the 2020 Senior Bowl. And that might be the best thing about this pick.

This has been a challenging year for scouts because of the COVID-19 crisis. But the Lions saw enough to move up and get him.

"The amount of knowledge I was able to gain, in six days of practice was incredible," Jackson said. "I'm happy and blessed that I'm a Detroit Lion now."

Is he perfect? No. Scouts say he doesn’t have great range.

But he could be a Day 1 starter. Just like the other two picks.

So in the end, Quinn had an impressive night.

Quinn had three chances.

And he made three picks that made total sense.