Lamorandier: 7-Round Detroit Lions Mock Draft 2.0

All Lions provides its post-free agency, seven-round mock draft for the Detroit Lions.

The dust has settled a bit on the 2023 NFL free-agency period, and the Detroit Lions made some substantial moves. 

With these acquisitions, it more than likely has changed the Lions' approach, in regard to the upcoming NFL Draft. 

Detroit general manager Brad Holmes did a brilliant job of augmenting pieces to the team, while not necessarily overspending on any one position, either. 

With all the new additions coming to town, it has made it even more unpredictable regarding what the Lions will do in the draft. No longer are there glaring holes on the roster that must be upgraded. 

Now, there are definitely a few positions that need depth and could be improved. But, Holmes is set up to let the draft board come to him and select the best player available at each pick.

First round

6.) Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia

As it just so happens, Carter is the best player in this draft from a football standpoint, relative to position, while filling the Lions' biggest position of need. Obviously, the character concerns will need to be vetted by the Lions' front office.

Not a lot of detail needs to be said regarding Carter’s game. Just for reference, per Pro Football Focus, Carter posted a 92.3 grade in 2022 that ranked first among Power Five interior defensive linemen.

Carter could be the missing piece for the Lions' defense, to make it go from good to great. But, is he a culture fit? That’s something we may not know until draft day.

18.) Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland

You can never have enough cornerbacks in the NFL. Yes, the Lions bolstered their secondary in free agency, yet the long-term future at the position is still not set in stone. Banks may not make an immediate impact this year. But, at the very least, he can give solid depth for this upcoming season, and give the team a long-term plan in place.

The 6-foot cover man ran a 4.35 40-yard dash, produced a 42-inch vertical and has all the tools to excel at the next level. He is a reliable tackler, as well. 

Despite getting his hands on plenty of passes, there are still times he looks a bit awkward with the ball in the air. The best ball-hawks can almost turn into a receiver once a pass is thrown. That's something you hope could be developed, but easier said than done. Overall, it's tough to pass on his upside.

Second round

48.) Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia

There is a good chance Washington could be gone by this selection. In a top-heavy tight end class, with pure pass-catchers often taking priority in today's game, I don't think it's out of the realm of possibility that big-bodied Washington is still around at this pick. 

The Lions' offensive scheme may not emphasize the tight end spot as much as other teams, but I think it's more of a statement of how they want to use a tight end. They don't need to overpay for basically an oversized wide receiver. I think Dan Campbell prefers an old-school tight end who can be a plus in the running game.

Washington is a 6-foot-7, 264-pounder, and is basically another offensive lineman when on the field. Given the Lions' propensity to use six offensive linemen and keeping their tight ends inline, it just seems like Washington would perfectly fit what they want at the position. 

Add in the fact that Washington can move like somebody 30 pounds lighter, and there's a chance he can be much more of a threat from a receiving standpoint than most "blocking" tight ends.

55.) Jack Campbell, LB, Iowa

Campbell is another throwback type of player. At 6-foot-4, 249 pounds, he is a natural MIKE backer. Honestly, in a draft class that is rather weak for traditional off-ball linebackers, Campbell is the most reliable and the best of the bunch. There was a reason he was the 2022 Dick Butkus Award winner for the best linebacker in the nation.

The biggest concern with Campbell was his athletic ability, and he squashed those qualms at the combine. 

Even though the Lions handed MIKE LB Alex Anzalone a three-year extension --with an easy out after two seasons -- Campbell would be a natural future replacement and insurance policy for Anzalone. 

Lastly, Campbell is a vocal leader on the field, and received the 2022 William V. Campbell Award -- the academic version of the Heisman.

I would have preferred Holmes to try to upgrade the linebacker position, instead of remaining status quo. However, he still has a chance to improve the group with a selection like this.

Iowa linebacker Jack Campbell / Bryon Houlgrave, The Register, USA TODAY NETWORK

Third round

81.) Cedric Tillman, WR, Tennessee

The draft is always inundated with receiver talent -- this year being a bit of an exception. There are talented wideouts, but overall, it's a shorter and lighter group than usual. Tillman goes against the grain in this class. 

The Lions already have smaller players and speed, but lack a true big-bodied, X-receiver. Re-signing Marvin Jones helps fill the void for the short term. Hopefully, Jameson Williams can become what the team's front-office brass envisioned, too. In a league that often has three receivers on the field, there is still plenty of room to add another target.

Tillman produced a 1,000-yard 2021 season, and had some of his best performances against the likes of Alabama and Georgia. Due to an ankle injury last season, he couldn’t replicate his prior year's stats, though. 

The 6-foot-3 wideout won't blow past anybody with his 4.54 speed. However, he is the best in class when it comes to contested catches, ball skills and body control.

Fifth round

152.) Roschon Johnson, RB, Texas

Johnson was always the second fiddle to Bijan Robinson while at Texas. In saying that, he was better than a lot of other team’s starters. Even in terms of yards after contact and forced missed tackles per carry, Johnson edged Robinson slightly in both categories in 2022.

Much like former Lions running back Jamaal Williams and their newly-signed ball carrier in David Montgomery, Johnson is a big-bruiser type of runner. The home-run threat may not be there, either. 

With D’Andre Swift’s future a bit up in the air after this upcoming season, it might make more sense to find someone with a similar skill set. Unfortunately, it’s not always easy to find a player who can do what Swift is capable of -- when healthy.

Given that Johnson has plenty of special teams experience, it really increases his value on gamedays being a potential third back in a rotation. If called upon in the backfield due to injury or just a change of pace, there shouldn’t be a drop-off in talent.

Sixth round 

183.) Jon Gaines, IOL, UCLA

Gaines is a well-rounded interior lineman, having experience at both guard spots and center, as well. More known for moving defensive linemen in the run-blocking department, Gaines has solid athleticism to improve his game in other areas. He has some technique issues he could clean up. But, given the Lions' current offensive line, they can afford to take a developmental piece with versatility at this stage in the draft.

194.) Daniel Scott, S, California

It’s always tough to pinpoint late-round picks for teams. So many different outcomes can happen. 

With the last selection, it would make sense for the Lions to look for a proven special teamer, with the potential to grow at their position. Safety isn’t a need necessarily for the Lions, but it wouldn’t hurt to add depth. 

Scott has the size, speed, agility, football character and even a nose for the football, with six interceptions over the last two seasons. Worth the risk and at a minimum, they get someone who can contribute in the third phase of the game.