Lions draft WR Travis Fulgham, RB Ty Johnson in sixth round

Allen Park — With a pair of selections in the sixth round, the Detroit Lions drafted Old Dominion wide receiver Travis Fulgham and Maryland running back Ty Johnson. It ended a run of four straight defensive players taken by the team from Rounds 2-5.

Fulgham, taken with the the No. 184 pick, measured in at 6-foot-2, 215 pounds. As a senior, he caught 63 passes for 1,083 yards and nine touchdowns. 

Despite not running a particularly fast 40 time (4.58 seconds) at the combine, Fulgham thrived as a deep threat for Old Dominion. According to Pro Football Focus, more than half of his receiving production came on long balls, and his 18 catches of 20 or more yards were second in college football last season. 

"It’s all about attacking levels, making sure you’re attacking that cornerback, just pressing on his toes and using my speed and my long legs," Fulgham said.

Johnson, taken two picks later, was limited by injuries during his senior year. He appeared in nine games, carrying the ball just 66 times, but averaged 7.7 yards on those touches. 

He was more productive the previous two seasons, gaining more than 2,100 yards from scrimmage and scoring 13 touchdowns during that stretch. 

He also handled kickoffs for the Terrapins, returning 48 for his college career, averaging 24.9 yards and scoring two touchdowns. 

Meet Travis Fulgham

Position: WR

College: Old Dominion

Round/overall: 6/184

Notable stats: Led Conference USA with 1,083 receiving yards on 63 receptions and had nine straight games with a touchdown, the longest such streak in FBS in 2018.

Analysis: Fulgham, who didn’t play football until his junior year of high school, is a big target who knows how to adjust his body and use his 6-foot-2 frame to his advantage down the field. Although he averaged 17.2 yards per reception his senior year, there are concerns he doesn't possess the speed needed to get vertical separation against NFL corners.

Meet Ty Johnson

Position: RB

College: Maryland

Round/overall: 6/186

Notable stats: He is one of four Maryland players to reach 4,000 all-purpose yards, along with Torrey Smith, LaMont Jordan and Stefon Diggs. Johnson also ranks fourth in program history in career rushing yards (2,635) and 100-yard rushing games (11).

Analysis: Johnson posted impressive yards-per-carry numbers throughout his career, averaging 9.1 yards per rush attempt as a sophomore, 6.4 yards as a junior and 7.7 yards as a senior. He has the explosiveness to hit the hole and break out chunks of yards as a runner and return man, but he lacks the power to punish tacklers and wasn’t much of a threat in the passing game the past two seasons (11 receptions).

Detroit Lions draft picks

First round (No. 8 overall): Iowa TE T.J. Hockenson

Second round (No. 43): Hawaii LB Jahlani Tavai

Third round (No. 81): Boston College S Will Harris

Fourth round (No. 117): Clemson DE Austin Bryant

Fifth round (No. 146): Penn State CB Amani Oruwariye

Sixth round (No. 184): Old Dominion WR Travis Fulgham

Sixth round (No. 186): Maryland RB Ty Johnson

Seventh round (No. 224): Georgia TE Isaac Nauta

Seventh round (No. 229): Arizona DT PJ Johnson