Lions' 2023 Draft Wants
The 2023 NFL Draft is finally here.
Heading into Thursday night, the Detroit Lions possess nine total picks. And, barring a trade, the Lions will be on the clock for the first time at No. 6 overall.
There has been a ton of speculation about what Detroit general manager Brad Holmes will do with the pick, and there still isn't a true consensus.
Instead of diving into who Holmes will select, though, let's take a look at All Lions' "wants" for the Lions all throughout this weekend's draft.
FIRST ROUND
EDGE Will Anderson Jr., Alabama
There's arguably no one better in the 2023 draft class than Anderson. The Lions likely will have to trade up from the No. 6 spot to get him, but it'd be worth it for a Detroit defense that direly could use another high-impact defender like the Alabama product. And, if he somehow falls to No. 6, the Lions should waste no time with sending their draft card in with his name on it.
DT Jalen Carter, Georgia
Carter is undoubtedly the best interior defensive lineman in this year's draft class. He'd provide a big boost to both Detroit's pass-rush and its run defense. If the Lions can look past his off-the-field baggage, he could be just what the doctor ordered for the organization at No. 6.
CB Devon Witherspoon, Illinois
Witherspoon developed into a shutdown cornerback during his time at Illinois, and would be a fine selection for a Detroit team that still could use the secondary help.
He could slide into Detroit's cornerbacks room and immediately be an impact player. At this present juncture, I see Witherspoon as the most likely selection for the Lions with the sixth pick.
CB Christian Gonzalez, Oregon
If the Lions go the cornerback route and don't end up with Witherspoon, Gonzalez would be another worthwhile selection at No. 6. He finished his final season at Oregon with a team-high four interceptions (the third-highest total in the Pac-12 for the season), as well as 50 total tackles and one tackle for loss.
EDGE Tyree Wilson, Texas Tech
Wilson has emerged as a popular pick for the Lions with the sixth overall selection. He recorded 61 total tackles, including 14 for loss, and seven sacks during the 2022 campaign. If drafted by Detroit, he'd form a solid pass-rushing duo with fellow EDGE Aidan Hutchinson.
RB Bijan Robinson, Texas
Robinson is the consensus No. 1 running back in this year's draft class. The do-it-all back would be a great addition to the Lions' backfield, and could come into Motown and form a dynamite one-two punch with new Detroit No. 1 back David Montgomery.
CB Joey Porter Jr., Penn State
Porter is the son of former NFL linebacker Joey Porter. Although not as prolific of a playmaker as Witherspoon or Gonzalez, the Penn State product would be a worthwhile selection for Detroit at No. 18.
DB Brian Branch, Alabama
The hybrid defensive back has the ability to play both cornerback and safety at the next level.
The versatile defender would be a solid addition to Aaron Glenn's secondary, and he'd be a worthwhile selection for the team at No. 18.
DT Calijah Kancey, Pittsburgh
The next Aaron Donald? Maybe.
Kancey put on a show at the NFL Scouting Combine, with an impressive 4.67-second 40-yard dash time.
He recorded 7.5 sacks in his final season at Pittsburgh, and would be a solid addition to the interior of Detroit's defensive line.
WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State
Smith-Njigba only suited up for three games and caught a total of four passes in 2022 due to injury. However, he put enough impressive game film together in 2021 to warrant Detroit taking him with the No. 18 pick. In the aforementioned season, he played in 13 games, and amassed a school-record 95 receptions and 1,606 receiving yards (which is also a Big Ten record for a single season).
He'd be a high-end replacement in the receivers room for the recently-suspended Jameson Williams, and he'd be a great weapon over the long haul for the team's passing game.
WR Quentin Johnston, TCU
If not Smith-Njigba, I'd love for the Lions to get their hands on Johnston. In his final collegiate campaign, Johnston amassed a team-best 60 receptions, 1,069 yards and six touchdowns. He'd be a nice find for Holmes & Co. at No. 18.
DL Bryan Bresee, Clemson
He was a hot first-round target for a while for the Lions, and even at No. 6 overall.
His stock has fallen a bit, yet he'd still be a solid addition to Detroit's D-line.
Bresee produced 64 career tackles (15.0 for loss), nine sacks, four pass breakups, an interception, a forced fumble and a safety in 26 total games at Clemson.
TE Michael Mayer, Notre Dame
Mayer is arguably the best pass-catching tight end in the 2023 draft class. He caught 180 passes for 2,099 yards and 18 touchdowns in three seasons at Notre Dame.
If Detroit targets a tight end in the first round, it couldn't go wrong with the Fighting Irish product.
TE Darnell Washington, Georgia
The big-bodied tight end would be a fine addition to the Lions as both a run-blocker and pass-catcher. I'd love for the Lions to get their hands on him at No. 18.
SECOND ROUND
LB Trenton Simpson, Clemson
The Clemson product amassed 187 total tackles (22.5 for loss), 12.5 sacks, six pass breakups and three forced fumbles in 37 games with the Tigers.
He'd be a nice find for the Lions at No. 48 overall.
LB Jack Campbell, Iowa
The 6-foot-5, 246-pound linebacker possesses the prototypical size to play the middle linebacker position.
He has the ability to play against both the run and pass, and earned an 85.6 grade vs. the run and a 92.9 mark in coverage from Pro Football Focus this past season.
If drafted by the Lions, he could anchor the middle of the team's defense for years to come.
OL Steve Avila, TCU
As I've talked about in my recent mock drafts, Avila would be a great depth piece for Detroit's offensive line. He also has the potential to start at either of the guard spots – and sooner rather than later. If Halapoulivaati Vaitai were to miss any time this season, I could see Avila immediately filling the hole at right guard, and doing a satisfactory job.
QB Hendon Hooker, Tennessee
Hooker is the quarterback I've liked the most for the Lions since day one. Unfortunately, he might not be available for Detroit by the time its first second-round selection rolls around at No. 48 overall. If I were Holmes and Hooker ends up still being available at this spot, though, I would instantaneously select the dual-threat passer. With time and proper development, I believe that Hooker could become a franchise passer one day.
EDGE Nolan Smith, Georgia
Man, it'd be nice if Smith fell to the Lions at No. 48. He'd be a nice consolation prize for Detroit, if it doesn't land an EDGE rusher earlier in the draft.
OT Dawand Jones, Ohio State
The Lions are presently all set at offensive tackle. However, it'd still be tempting to select the 6-foot-8 Jones. At the very least, he could be a solid depth piece for Detroit to start the season, and he could play an even more impactful role for the team by the end of the year.
LB Drew Sanders, Arkansas
If not Simpson or Campbell, Sanders would be a great linebacker for Detroit to target in the second round.
Sanders recorded a career-best 103 total tackles, including 13.5 for loss, and 9.5 sacks in his final season with the Razorbacks.
DT Siaki Ika, Baylor
Ika didn't exactly have a dominant final season at Baylor. However, standing in at 6-foot-3 and 335 pounds, the defensive lineman offers a solid combination of size and athleticism. He also possesses tremendous change-of-direction ability and a high motor. All in all, he'd be a nice find for the Lions with their second of two second-round selections (No. 55 overall).
THIRD ROUND
G Chandler Zavala, N.C. State
Like Avila, Zavala would be another solid depth piece for Detroit's O-line, and with time, could develop into a starter.
LB Dorian Williams, Tulane
Williams is one of the best small-school prospects in this year's draft class, and would be a solid addition by Detroit's front office in the third round.
DL Keeanu Benton, Wisconsin
Benton was a top performer at the Senior Bowl, and recorded 10 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks in 2022 for the Badgers. It earned him honorable mention All-Big Ten honors.
CB Julius Brents, Kansas State
Brents produced 45 total tackles, including 3.5 tackles for loss, to go along with four interceptions and eight total passes defended in 2022.
CB Cory Trice, Purdue
Trice is a press corner with above-average length and size, as well as good ball skills. He'd be a nice find by Detroit in the third round.
WR Cedric Tillman, Tennessee
Tillman recorded 109 catches for 1,622 yards and 17 touchdowns in 44 total games with the Volunteers.
WR Jayden Reed, Michigan State
I know Reed might be a bit of a reach here, but he has the versatility to line up both in the slot and on the outside at the next level.
Additionally, he possesses above-average foot speed, which should allow him to develop into a big-play threat at the next level.
RB Zach Charbonnet, UCLA
The former Michigan running back wouldn't be the first back I'd target. However, Detroit could do much worse at the position at this point in the draft.
LB Noah Sewell, Oregon
The younger brother of Lions starting right tackle Penei Sewell, Noah carved out a nice career for himself at Oregon. He finished his three-year collegiate career with 215 total tackles, including 19.5 for loss, as well as 7.5 sacks, two interceptions and three forced fumbles.
CB Darius Rush, South Carolina
Rush is 6-foot-2, 200-pound corner who excelled in zone coverage at South Carolina. He also was an effective special teams contributor during his time with the Gamecocks.
In his final collegiate season, he recorded nine passes defensed and two interceptions. He's no Witherspoon or Gonzalez, but he'd be a nice value pick here in the third round.
LATE ROUND
QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson, UCLA
DL D.J. Dale, Alabama
RB Mohamed Ibrahim, Minnesota
WR Andrei Iosivas, Princeton
TE Luke Schoonmaker, Michigan
OL Sidney Sow, Eastern Michigan
OG Andrew Voorhes, USC
RB Keaton Mitchell, East Carolina
EDGE Mike Morris, Michigan
WR Ronnie Bell, Michigan
LB Jalen Graham, Purdue
LB Ivan Pace, Cincinnati
LB Mohamoud Diabate, Utah
K Jake Moody, Michigan
