Detroit Lions 2023 Mock Draft Simulation 2.0

Check out who the Detroit Lions drafted in our second PFF simulation of 2023.

The Detroit Lions have a plethora of options in the 2023 NFL Draft. 

Among them is making the decision to trade down to acquire more draft capital. 

Last year, Detroit general manager Brad Holmes made the decision to trade up with the Minnesota Vikings, in order to select wideout Jameson Williams at No. 12 overall. 

With the team having already addressed its deficiencies in the secondary, the team has more flexibility to trade down or stay at No. 6 and select the best player available. 

In our second Lions PFF mock draft simulation, Holmes and Co. make the decision to trade down. 

A trade was proposed that was over 86 percent likely to be accepted by the Washington Commanders. 

Lions receive: Pick No. 16 (1st round), Pick No. 47 (2nd round), Pick No. 233 (7th round), 2024 second-rounder

Commanders receive: Pick No. 6 (1st)

With the 16th pick, the Lions target a player who has been compared to Aaron Donald and rightfully so: Pittsburgh defensive tackle Calijah Kancey. 

Kancey caught the attention of the NFL world at the Scouting Combine, when he ran the fastest 40-yard dash at his position since 2000. 

The 6-foot-1, 280-pound standout ran a 4.67, immediately drawing comparisons to the future Rams Pro Football Hall of Fame lineman. 

A player with his size and speed will anchor Detroit's defense for the next several seasons. 

This draft was comprised of 10 total picks, and targeted many of the Lions' needs. 

Five of the selections targeted defense, including the first four selections. Following Kancey's selection, the team drafts EDGE rusher Nolan Smith, linebacker DeMarvion Overshown and cornerback Julius Brents. 

With a clear need at quarterback, the team decides to make Purdue's Aidan O'Connell its developmental quarterback of the future. 

"I think I evolved a lot with my time at Purdue. Obviously, I overstayed my welcome a little bit, I was there for six years," O'Connell said at the Scouting Combine. "I was there for a long time, saw a lot of football. Not just me playing, but just taking mental reps when I was younger from older guys. I feel prepared. I feel like I've seen a lot of football. I've seen a lot of things offensively and defensively, and so I got to learn a lot. I feel like I'll have hopefully a step up going to the next level."

Look for more simulations, as the 2023 draft draws closer.