Mock Draft Roundup: Lions Find Quarterback of Future
It's time for the latest All Lions mock draft roundup.
Over the last week, multiple mock drafts have targeted a quarterback for the Detroit Lions in the first round.
Let’s explore now who the draft analysts have Lions general manager Brad Holmes selecting in the first round, starting with the No. 6 overall pick.
Cornerback Kelee Ringo, Georgia
Ringo is presently being mocked by the following:
Quarterback Bryce Young, Alabama
Young is currently being mocked by the following:
As McIntyre opines,
"Yes, Jared Goff was terrific last year in Detroit. He also carries the 18th-largest cap hit next year, and then 14th biggest in 2024. Look at how the Eagles and 49ers have built their rosters around QBs on their rookie deals. Detroit gets in position to do that by taking Young. The OL is elite, and the skill position players are very good. The OC is top five in the NFL."
Gary Cosby Jr., USA TODAY Sports
Defensive lineman Bryan Bresee, Clemson
Bresee is presently being picked by the following:
Running back Bijan Robinson, Texas
Robinson is presently being mocked by the following:
Walter Football (Charlie Campbell)
Defensive lineman Jalen Carter, Georgia
Carter is currently being mocked by the following:
Pro Football Network (Joe Broback)
Cornerback Christian Gonzalez, Oregon
Gonzalez is presently being mocked by the following:
FantasyPros (Matthew Freedman); NFL.com (Chad Reuter); The 33rd Team (Scouting Department)
As Reuter writes,
"Usually there's a cornerback who takes a big leap (figuratively and literally) at the NFL Scout Combine -- my guess is that's Gonzalez this year. The Oregon defender's size (6-2, 201) and athleticism will likely impress scouts, who, if they haven't devoured it already, will then turn to the tape where they'll see aggressive play and very good ball skills. Gonzalez could help alleviate some of the pressure on the Lions' previous top-10 corner selection, Jeff Okudah."
Cornerback Devon Witherspoon, Illinois
Witherspoon is presently being mocked by the following:
CBS Sports (Josh Edwards); Pro Football Network (James Fragoza); Pro Football Focus (Michael Renner); ESPN.com (Matt Miller); NFL.com (Cynthia Frelund); The Draft Wire (Luke Easterling); CBS Sports (Chris Trapasso)
Defensive lineman Myles Murphy, Clemson
Murphy is presently being picked by the following:
Draft Countdown (Brad Menendez); CBS Sports (Ryan Wilson); CBS Sports (Kyle Stackpole)
As Wilson pens,
"Myles Murphy turned 21 in early January, and while we'd like to see him play with more consistency ... he just turned 21 in early January. He has all the physical tools you look for in an elite edge defenders and it's easy to see him in a few years being dominant. And that, in large part, is what makes him such an interesting prospect."
EDGE Tyree Wilson, Texas Tech
Wilson is currently being mocked by the following:
FantasyPros (Matthew Jones); Walter Football (Walter Cherepinsky)
Let's turn our attention now to who the draft analysts have projected for Detroit at No. 18.
Linebacker Trenton Simpson, Clemson
Simpson is presently being picked by the following:
The 33rd Team (Scouting Department)
Defensive tackle Calijah Kancey, Pittsburgh
Kancey is presently being mocked by the following:
Pro Football Network (James Fragoza)
As Fragoza writes,
"Undersized? Sure. Undervalued? Definitely. Underrated? NOT HERE. Calijah Kancey is the best defensive tackle, not named Jalen Carter. His ability to penetrate from the interior with a lightning-quick get-off is uncanny."
Quarterback Anthony Richardson, Florida
Richardson is currently being projected by the following:
Pro Football Focus (Michael Renner)
As Renner pens,
"The first round couldn’t shake out too much better for Detroit if this is how it goes. They get a defensive cornerstone with their first pick and a special developmental prospect to be the quarterback of the future with their second. Oh, and Richardson is so special athletically that offensive coordinator Ben Johnson can get him involved in certain packages without him being the starter."
EDGE BJ Ojulari, LSU
Ojulari is currently being mocked by the following:
EDGE Lukas Van Ness, Iowa
Van Ness is currently being mocked by the following:
NFL Draft Bible; ESPN.com (Matt Miller)
EDGE Nolan Smith, Georgia
Smith is presently being mocked by the following:
Cornerback Kelee Ringo, Georgia
Ringo is currently being projected by the following:
Pro Football Network (Joe Broback)
Cornerback Cam Smith, South Carolina
Smith is currently being projected by the following:
FantasyPros (Matthew Jones); CBS Sports (Kyle Stackpole)
Cornerback Joey Porter Jr., Penn State
Porter is presently being picked by the following:
Walter Football (Charlie Campbell); CBS Sports (Josh Edwards)
As Campbell opines,
"The Lions need more cornerback talent, but there is some depth at that position for Round 2, and they also have two second-round picks in the 2023 NFL Draft. Additionally, I think Detroit will probably sign veteran corner help in free agency. Still, Porter is a nice value here to be a starting outside corner for the Lions."
Running back Bijan Robinson, Texas
Robinson is currently being mocked by the following:
*The Draft Wire (Luke Easterling)
Defensive lineman Bryan Bresee, Clemson
Bresee is presently being picked by the following:
FantasyPros (Matthew Freedman); CBS Sports (Josh Edwards)
Defensive back Deonte Banks, Maryland
Banks is presently being projected by the following:
Defensive back Brian Branch, Alabama
Branch is currently being mocked by the following:
Draft Countdown (Brad Menendez)
Tight end Michael Mayer, Notre Dame
Mayer is currently being selected by the following:
NFL.com (Chad Reuter); CBS Sports (Chris Trapasso)
Cornerback Christian Gonzalez, Oregon
Gonzalez is currently being mocked by the following:
FOX Sports (Jason McIntyre); Walter Football (Walter Cherepinsky)
