Lions Trade Down in Latest Draft Wire Mock Draft

The Lions select two defensive players in the middle of the first round in latest mock draft.

The Detroit Lions have the flexibility to potentially trade up or down in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. 

Last year, Detroit general manager Brad Holmes surprised many when the decision was made to trade up with the Minnesota Vikings for wideout Jameson Williams. 

Heading into this season, the option is there for Holmes to trade down from the No. 6 pick, if a deal can be made for additional draft capital or for a proven defensive player. 

In Draft Wire's latest 2023 NFL mock draft prior to the scouting combine, Holmes is selecting at No. 16 overall and at No. 18 overall.

A deal is made to trade down, as the Commanders decide to move up in order to select Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Will Levis with the No. 6 pick. 

With the No. 16 overall pick, the Lions add Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon. 

"Witherspoon fits the mold of everything Dan Campbell wants in a player, and also fills a need for the Lions. So, it’s a home run to take the physical, shutdown corner out of Illinois," writes Natalie Miller. "Stick him in as a starter from Day 1 to lay the wood in the secondary for Detroit."

With the second of two first-round picks, Detroit adds to its defensive line by drafting Iowa Hawkeyes defensive lineman Lukas Van Ness. 

Miller explains, "Van Ness is a physical phenomenon who can play on the edge or kick inside on this already stacked Detroit defensive line. Though he was not a starter for the Hawkeyes, his upside is ridiculous, and the tape shows a guy who can get to the quarterback and take over a game."

Playing among a rotation in the Hawkeyes' defense, Van Ness recorded six sacks and 46 pressures in 2022.