4 Critical Goals Lions Must Accomplish during 2023 Draft
Headed into round one of the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, Brad Holmes and the Lions are equipped with an immense amount of draft capital. They own nine total picks, including five within the first 81 selections.
Subsequently, Holmes & Co. have the opportunity to strengthen several positions on both sides of the ball.
Let's take a look at the four goals that the organization must accomplish via this week's draft.
Further build the defense
With nine total picks, the Lions have a chance to continue to strengthen their defense, and must do so.
Sure, Holmes has already made a concerted effort to improve the team's secondary. However, with as bad as the defense was a season ago, multiple holes still exist on the defensive side of the ball, headed into round one of the draft Thursday night.
Specifically, Detroit's front office still needs to make upgrades along the interior of the defensive line and at linebacker. And, after trading away 2020 No. 3 overall pick Jeff Okudah, it wouldn't hurt the organization to add another cornerback.
If the Lions want to take the next step and become a playoff team in 2023, Holmes & Co. need to prioritize improving the defense all throughout this year's NFL Draft.
Draft a QB without reaching
It's come time for Holmes & Co. to improve the backup quarterback position.
Another year with Nate Sudfeld as the primary backup isn't going to cut it, and I believe that Holmes is readily aware of it.
Additionally, Jared Goff, with two years remaining on his contract, isn't going to be the starter in Detroit forever.
For the above reasons, I expect the Lions' front office to invest in a signal-caller with a draft pick this week.
At the same time, I don't envision Holmes & Co. – nor do I want them – reaching for a passer with the No. 6 overall pick.
More than likely, Alabama's Bryce Young and Ohio State's C.J. Stroud – ranked by many draft pundits as the top two quarterbacks in this year's class – will be off the board when Detroit goes on the clock at No. 6. To me, they're the only two QBs worthy of using that pick on. I believe Holmes shares the sentiment, and won't reach for the likes of Kentucky's Will Levis and Florida's Anthony Richardson with the pick.
Instead, I envision the Lions waiting until the later rounds – i.e. Day 3 – to find their potential franchise quarterback of the future.
Of the passers that will likely be available in rounds four-seven, I believe that UCLA's Dorian Thompson, a popular target for Detroit in a variety of mock drafts of late, would be a solid find. The Lions could let the dual-threat passer, affectionately known as "DTR," be the No. 2 QB for a year or two, while grooming him to be Goff's eventual successor under center.
Instead of wasting an early pick on a project-type QB, Holmes & Co. would be wise to deploy the aforementioned strategy.
UCLA quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson
Ivan Pierre Aguirre, USA TODAY Sports
Find a skill player before the end of Day 2
As good as the Lions' offense was a season ago, it isn't a finished product. And, as a result of the six-game suspension of Jameson Williams to start the 2023 campaign, there is even more of a dire need to add a skill player or two via this April's draft.
Without Williams, Detroit's receivers room doesn't look as strong as it once did. Additionally, it wouldn't hurt the Lions to add another piece to the backfield.
Thus, if I were Holmes, I'd strongly consider taking a skill player before the end of Day 2. And, I'd even look into the possibility of drafting a running back or receiver with the No. 18 pick, such as Texas running back Bijan Robinson or TCU wideout Quentin Johnston.
If he's still available, my personal favorite for Detroit with the 18th pick is Robinson, the consensus top back in this year's draft class. He'd form a terrific one-two punch with David Montgomery in the Lions' backfield, and I believe he'd help Ben Johnson's offense take the next step in 2023.
Add offensive line depth
Just when you think you have enough depth at a position, you don't. For instance, just look at the Lions' offensive line, with all the injuries it's suffered over the past two seasons.
There's no certainty that the O-line stays healthy once again this upcoming season, too. This is especially the case when you consider the fact that Halapoulivaati Vaitai hasn't played in a full season since joining Detroit in 2020 and missed all of last year due to injury.
Sure, Holmes brought offensive lineman Graham Glasgow back to Detroit, via free agency, earlier this offseason. However, I'm willing to make the argument that Holmes & Co. still need to prioritize adding another lineman with one of their nine total draft picks. Additionally, it would be advantageous for the organization to address this need in the earlier rounds.
If I were the Lions, I'd strongly consider using a second-round selection on TCU offensive lineman Steve Avila. Avila would be the definition of a solid depth piece, with the ability to fill in for any of Detroit's interior linemen – such as Vaitai – in case of injury.
