The Detroit Lions 2023 NFL Draft: A Complete Guide to a Winning Draft!

The Lions' current approach to the draft seems strongly built on their evaluations and acquiring the best talent on the board. The best test case for this is their pick of Jameson Williams after trading up to get him when they had a clear need for defense. The key is Holmes and his evaluation of the talent coming out, which should leave fans with a bit of confidence given his track record.

The needs of the Detroit Lions are similar to those in 2022. However, they could potentially be addressed through free agency. However, for this guide, we are working solely on what the 2022 team presented and will update needs as free agents are signed. They were 30th in the league in passing yards allowed this season (245.8 ypg), 29th in rushing yards allowed (146 ypg), 29th according to PFF's defensive grade (60.4), and 28th in Football Outsiders' DVOA (7.3% below league average). Defense is a concern, with clear holes that need to be addressed.

The Lions appear to be out of the quarterback market, with general manager Brad Holmes backing Jared Goff. Look for Detroit to address its defense, which improved late in the season but still struggled mightily overall. Interior defensive line and defensive back are the biggest areas of weakness. The Lions had the third-worst pass defense and fourth-worst run defense in the NFL last season. 

Ben Arthur, "2023 NFL Draft Needs: How Each Team in Top 10 Could Approach Their Pick" FoxSports.com

While Ben Arthur suggests that secondary and interior defensive line areas need to be addressed, it should be added that linebacker is an area of need. Malcolm Rodriguez was the highest-graded linebacker for the Lions according to PFF (63.9), which was good for 46th best in the league. All other linebackers checked in behind him: Derrick Barnes (52nd; 62.3) and Alex Anzalone (60th; 58.5). With the Lions sitting at #6 and #18 in the first round, the defense will most likely be the target.

The 2023 draft is a pivotal draft for the Detroit Lions. They hold five picks within the first 81 picks and four within the first 59. The ability to add significant starter-level talent is immense and one of the final shots with the stockpile of draft picks they received for Matthew Stafford.

Detroit Lions 2023 NFL Draft Picks

Potential Detroit Lions 2023 NFL Draft Prospects

This draft class has some special talent at positions of need for the Lions. However, sitting with pick six most likely will eliminate names like Will Anderson, Jr. from Alabama and Jalen Carter from Georgia. If trades occur, and some of the quarter-back needy teams scratch that itch, it could work out of the Lions. But even if it doesn't, there will be a number of good defensive players available at six.

If Anderson and Carter are off the board, look for names like Bryan Bresee (DT) or Myles Murphy (DE) from Clemson, Christian Gonzalez (CB) from Oregon, or Kelee Ringo (CB) from Georgia. However, Gonzalez and Ringo could both potentially be there for the second first-round pick.

Suggesting who the Lions should pick in the 2023 NFL Draft almost feels like a fool's errand. No one ever knows how the draft will fall, so the following suggestions are based solely on where they are projected to go based on DSN's aggregate ranking system. This system took rankings from four places and averaged them together, removing the lowest ranking to protect against discrepancies. The below suggestions are given based on need and trying to tame the reality of who will be available at those picks.

Quarterback

• Anthony Richardson, Florida, first round, pick 18
• Hendon Hooker, Tennessee, second round, pick 59 [potentially available in the third round, pick 81]
• Clayton Tune, Houston, round six, pick 180

Running Back

• Bijan Robinson, Texas, first round, pick 6
• Jahmyr Gibbs, Alabama, first round, pick 18
• Devon Achane, Texas A&M, second round, pick 59 [potentially available in the third round, pick 81]
• Tank Bigsby, Auburn, third round, pick 81
• Chase Brown, Illinois, round six, pick 169 or 180.

Tight End

• Michael Mayer, Notre Dame, first round, pick 6 or 18 [it had better not be pick 6]
• Dewayne Washington, Georgia, second round, pick 48
• Dalton Kincaid, Utah, second round, pick 48

Offensive Guard

• O'Cyrus Torrence, Florida, first round, pick 18
• Luke Wypler, Ohio State, third round, pick 81

Interior Defensive Lineman

• Jalen Carter, Georgia, first round, pick 6
• Bryan Bresee, Clemson, first round, pick 6
• Siaki Ika, Baylor, second round, pick 48 (if available)
• Mazi Smith, Michigan, second round, pick 48 -or- second round, pick 59 (if available)
• Calijah Kancey, Pittsburg, second round, pick 48 -or- second round, pick 59 (if available)
• Keeanu Benton, Wisconsin, second round, pick 59
• Jer'Zhan Newton, Illinois, third round, pick 81
• Colby Wooden, Auburn, fifth round, pick 149 (if available)

Linebackers

• Will Anderson, Jr., OLB, Alabama, first round, pick 6
• Lukas Van Ness, OLB, Iowa, second round, pick 48 or 59 (if available)
• Trenton Simpson, ILB, Clemson, second round, pick 48 (if available)
• Nolan Smith, OLB, Georgia, second round, pick 48 (if available)
• Drew Sanders, ILB, Arkansas, second round, pick 48 (if available)
• Andre Carter II, OLB, Army, second round, pick 59 (if available)
• Laiatu Latu, OLB, UCLA, second round, pick 59 (if available)
• Jack Campbell, ILB, Iowa, second round, pick 59 or third round, pick 81 (if available)
• Zion Tupuloa-Fetui, OLB, Washington, second round, pick 59 or third round, pick 81 (if available)
• Keion White, OLB, Georgia Tech, second round, pick 59 or third round, pick 81 (if available)
• Noah Sewell, ILB, Oregon, third round, pick 81
• Daiyan Henley, ILB, Washington State, third round, pick 81
• Henry To'oTo'o, ILB, Alabama, third round, pick 81
• Thomas Incoom, OLB, Central Michigan, fifth round, pick 149 (if available)

Cornerbacks

• Kelee Ringo, Georgia, first round, pick 18 (if available)
• Christian Gonzalez, Oregon, first round, pick 6 or 18 (if available)
• Joey Porter, Jr., Penn State, first round, pick 18 or second round, pick 48 (if available)
• Devon Witherspoon, Illinois, second round, pick 48 (if available)
• Clark Phillips III, Utah, second round, pick 48 (if available)
• Emmanuel Forbes, Mississippi State, second round, pick 59 or third round, pick 81 (if available)
• Jaylon Jones, Texas A&M, second round, pick 59 or third round, pick 81 (if available)
• Deonte Banks, Maryland, second round, pick 59 or third round, pick 81 (if available)
• Tyrique Stevenson, Miami, third round, pick 81
• Tre'Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, TCU, third round, pick 81
• Kyle Blu Kelly, Stanford, third round, pick 81
• Riley Moss, Iowa, fifth round, pick 149 (if available)
• Cameron Brown, Ohio State, fifth round, pick 149

Detroit Lions 2023 draft picks by round