2023 Lions Draft Primer

All Lions provides its 2023 draft primer for the Detroit Lions.

The 2023 NFL Draft has arrived, and for the first time in a long while, the Detroit Lions head into the draft with legitimate playoff aspirations for the upcoming year. 

After a strong 8-2 finish to end the 2022 season, the trajectory of the team is heading in the right direction. 

With a better team, there are not as many holes on the roster, and the young talent is beginning to come into its own. Now, it is time for general manger Brad Holmes to take the next step in the rebuild. 

The tearing down and re-stocking are done. The hard part is now getting over the hump of mediocrity.

Make no mistake, Holmes has done an exceptional job in his first two seasons in Detroit. However, constructing an elite-level roster is what separates the good from the greats. So far, there is no reason to think Holmes can’t continue with the rapid progression. 

Given the draft capital that Holmes has to work with, this draft is ultra important to continue the plan to take the Lions to where they have never been before.

2022 Lions record: 9-8 (second place in NFC North)

Key additions

• DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson

• CB Cameron Sutton

• RB David Montgomery

• CB Emmanuel Moseley

• WR Marvin Jones

• IOL Graham Glasgow

• LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin

• LS Jake McQuaide

Key losses

• WR DJ Chark

• RB Jamaal Williams

• CB Jeff Okudah

• S DeShon Elliott

• C Evan Brown

• CB Mike Hughes

• LB Josh Woods

• LB Chris Board

• DT Michael Brockers

• EDGE Austin Bryant

• CB Amani Oruwariye

Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes speaks with Dan Campbell  / © Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports

2023 draft picks

• Round 1: Pick 6 overall (from Los Angeles Rams)
• Round 1: Pick 18 overall
• Round 2: Pick 48 overall
• Round 2: Pick 55 overall (from Minnesota Vikings)
• Round 3: Pick 81 overall
• Round 5: Pick 152 overall
• Round 5: Pick 159 (from Jacksonville Jaguars via Atlanta Falcons)
• Round 6: Pick 183 overall (from Denver Broncos)
• Round 6: Pick 194 overall

Team needs

Defensive tackle: Perhaps the biggest hole on the Lions' roster is on the defensive interior. Yes, they have some nice pieces, but they lack depth and a true threat to get to the quarterback. Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn does a nice job rotating the bigger EDGE players inside on obvious passing downs. Yet, a three-down disruptor could elevate the defense overall.

Tight end: After the trade of T.J. Hockenson in the middle of last season, the unheralded tight end group held its own. Still, the Lions could easily upgrade the position. None of the current tight ends elicit much fear in opponents, and they are lacking in the receiving department. Maybe the coaching staff doesn’t feel that the position is overly important, and they are fine with remaining status quo. However, it never hurts to add another weapon on offense. It does appear that no matter who the Lions would target, the blocking element of the tight end’s game would be paramount.

Quarterback: Now that the Lions have a higher bar for the upcoming season, the backup quarterback position becomes more important than in years past. If starting quarterback Jared Goff were to miss time, the Lions can’t let an injury derail the entire year. Not only is a backup signal caller more important for the near future, Holmes also needs to consider Detroit's long-term outlook at the position. With two years left on Goff’s deal, contract extension discussions will start to take place. Goff has revived his career with the Lions. But, does the front office feel that he would be worth the top money that he may demand? Or, would it be a more prudent move to draft an eventual successor on a cheap rookie contract?

Linebacker: It sure would seem that the coaching staff likes the Lions' linebackers more than most fans. Additionally, there are typically only one or two off-ball linebackers on the field in today’s NFL. The position is losing its value. In saying that, from a talent standpoint, Holmes could still augment the linebacker room, whether for depth or someone with future starter potential. The beauty of a devalued position is that teams can frequently find impact performers after the first day of the draft.

Wide receiver: With Jameson Williams’ six-game suspension, suddenly, the receiver group doesn’t appear as sound as it once did. There are veterans on the team who will help fill Williams’ void, but beyond 2023, the Lions will need a few more bodies. In a passing league, teams can never have enough talented wideouts.

Cornerback: Much like the receiver position, the Lions have reliable veterans on the roster. Once again, there aren’t many under contract after 2023, though. Considering there are three corners playing a majority of the game, teams always need to keep the room stocked with plenty of options.

Top targets

Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia

If it weren’t for the off-the-field and character concerns, Carter wouldn’t likely even be available at pick No. 6 -- and he still might not be. He is the best football player in the draft. It’s up to Holmes regarding whether he feels Carter is worth the risk.

Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports

Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois

Witherspoon was a shutdown corner with ball skills in 2022, and possesses a linebacker mentality when it comes to tackling. He has good size, good speed, but maybe doesn’t have those elite measurables teams look for when selecting a corner this high in the draft.

Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon

On the opposite end of the spectrum to Witherspoon, Gonzalez has the size and speed that scouts drool over. Even with his height, he has loose hips that are difficult to find from such a big corner. His “flaws” are that he isn’t as aggressive as he could be and that he only put up one year of ball production.

Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Texas Tech

With Will Anderson presumably off the board, Wilson is the next-best option at one of the most valuable positions in the game. According to some reports, there may be a few teams who even have Wilson graded higher. Wilson has the frame, length and linear explosion that checks all the boxes for a top selection. As a bit of a late bloomer, he still has some areas he can improve in, though.

Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida

If the Lions were to go the quarterback route early, Richardson would likely be the top available choice. The ceiling with Richardson is through the roof. He is an elite athlete, with undeniable arm talent. Richardson is raw, with limited starting experience. He probably would need some time to develop, which would make him a perfect candidate to back up Goff.

How to watch 2023 NFL Draft

• Thursday, April 27 (8-11:30 p.m. ET): Round 1 -- ABC, ESPN, NFL Network, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Radio
• Friday, April 28 (7-11:30 p.m.): Rounds 2 and 3 -- ABC, ESPN, NFL Network, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Radio
• Saturday, April 29 (Noon-7 p.m.): Rounds 4–7 -- ABC, ESPN, NFL Network, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Radio
• Online/Streaming: fuboTV: Get 7-day free trial