Chirco: 7-Round Detroit Lions 2023 Mock Draft
With Jeff Okudah having been traded, it's time to re-look at what the Detroit Lions will do in the 2023 NFL Draft.
As the result of the Okudah trade, the Lions now have an additional fifth-round pick (No. 159 overall), as well as nine total selections in this April's draft (April 27-29).
Here is All Lions' latest seven-round mock draft.
Round 1, Pick 6 overall (from LAR)
CB Devon Witherspoon, Illinois
This might not be what the fans want, but I think this is what the Lions do here. In my opinion, drafting Witherspoon has only been made more feasible by the trade of former No. 3 overall pick Jeff Okudah.
Witherspoon is also the pick here, because I'm presuming Alabama's Will Anderson Jr. is already off the board.
By adding the Illinois product in Witherspoon, Detroit's secondary is now a strength for the first time in a long time.
Additionally, beefing up the secondary has been a goal of Lions general manager Brad Holmes all this offseason. And, I think Holmes puts his finishing touch on just that with the selection of the former Fighting Illini defensive back.
Round 1, Pick 18 overall
DT Calijah Kancey, Pittsburgh
Holmes & Co. plug a hole along the interior of the defensive line with the selection of Kancey here.
The Pittsburgh defensive tackle has seen his stock rise since he recorded a 4.67-second 40-yard dash at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine. It was the fastest time for a defensive tackle at the combine since 2003, and even faster than fellow former Pittsburgh Panthers DT Aaron Donald's time of 4.68 in 2014.
Remember, Holmes – who served as the Los Angeles Rams' director of college scouting before joining the Lions – played a pivotal role in the Rams' selection of Donald at No. 13 overall in the 2014 draft.
As for Kancey, he led the nation's interior defensive linemen with 14.5 tackles for loss in 2022. It helped him become a unanimous first-team All-American selection – the first player at Pittsburgh to receive such an honor since Donald in 2013.
Kancey would be a great value pick at No. 18 overall, and the selection would be lauded by fans and pundits alike.
Pittsburgh Panthers defensive tackle Calijah Kancey
© Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Round 2, Pick 48 overall
LB Jack Campbell, Iowa
The Lions need help at linebacker, and they get just that via the selection of Campbell.
If selected, I think the Iowa product would instantly become a fan favorite.
Campbell checks in at 6-foot-5, 246 pounds, possessing the prototypical size to play the middle linebacker position.
Additionally, this past season, he showcased the ability to be effective at both stopping the run and playing against the pass. In fact, according to Pro Football Focus, he earned an 85.6 grade against the run and a 92.9 mark in pass coverage.
He's also a tackling machine, having amassed a total of 271 tackles during his final two seasons in Iowa City.
And, as the result of his efforts in 2022, he won the Butkus Award, which is awarded to the nation's best linebacker.
He'd be a terrific find for Detroit's front office at No. 48 overall.
Round 2, Pick 55 overall (from MIN)
OL Steve Avila, TCU
The Lions add further depth to their offensive line with the selection of Avila here.
The TCU product offers a high degree of versatility, having lined up at both guard and center while with the Horned Frogs. Additionally, if Halapoulivaati Vaitai were to miss any time this upcoming season, Avila, along with offseason addition Graham Glasgow, could spell the veteran lineman at right guard.
Avila would be a great insurance policy for Detroit in 2023, and could develop into a full-time starter along the offensive line in future seasons.
Round 3, Pick 81 overall
WR Jayden Reed, Michigan State
The Lions take a trip to East Lansing to add to their receivers room.
The former Michigan State pass-catcher possesses above-average speed, and is versatile enough to line up both in the slot and on the outside. Additionally, Reed has the foot speed and the necessary strength to defeat press-man coverage, which should make him a reliable big-play threat at the next level.
Although he might be a bit of a reach in the third round, he'd still be an exciting prospect for Holmes & Co. to grab.
Round 5, Pick 152 overall
QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson, UCLA
Thompson-Robinson is the definition of an intriguing prospect.
He had a prolific finish to his collegiate career, closing out the 2022 campaign sixth in the nation in completion percentage (.696) and running for at least 50 yards in seven games. He was a true dual-threat passer, finishing the season as one of only two FBS passers with as many as 27 touchdowns passes and 12 rushing TDs.
"DTR," as he's affectionately known, possesses dynamic, game-changing ability. And, although he might not be ready to start at the next level right away, he could learn behind Lions incumbent starter Jared Goff and be groomed into Goff's eventual successor.
To me, Thompson-Robinson would be a great find for Detroit's front office in the fifth round.
Round 5, Pick 159 (from JAX via ATL)
EDGE Mike Morris, Michigan
Morris was an integral member of Michigan's defensive line in 2022. He produced a team-leading 7.5 sacks, to go along with 11 tackles for loss.
The Wolverines product is still a work in progress as a pass-rusher. Yet, he is already a versatile defensive lineman that has the potential to develop into a three-down defender. And, right off the bat, he could be a rotational NFL lineman.
It'd be worth it for Holmes & Co. to take a chance on Morris at this spot in the fifth round.
Round 6, Pick 183 overall (from DEN)
RB Mohamed Ibrahim, Minnesota
Ibrahim would be a solid late-round addition for the Lions.
The Minnesota product profiles as a bruising back at the next level, standing in at approximately 5-foot-10 and 210 pounds.
In his final season with the Golden Gophers, he rushed for a career-high 20 touchdowns and 1,665 yards on 320 carries, good for an average of 5.2 yards a carry. In doing so, he set the Minnesota all-time rushing record, with 4,668 yards and 53 touchdowns.
NFL Draft Bible presently has Ibrahim graded as a fifth-round prospect. So, if the Lions could get him here, it'd be the definition of high-end value.
Round 6, Pick 194 overall
LB Mohamoud Diabate, Utah
Diabate possesses great sideline-to-sideline mobility, and seemed to have a knack for always finding the ball a season ago at Utah.
The 6-foot-4, 222-pounder, who transferred from Florida, finished the 2022 campaign with 58 total tackles, including a team-high 13.5 tackles for loss.
He does need to refine his coverage skills, before he has a chance of becoming an every-down contributor in the NFL. However, he'd still be a nice late-round pick by Detroit.
