Inside the Article:
Welcome to the Divisional Round of the playoffs! That’s right, Detroit Lions fans, on Saturday afternoon, the 2022 NFL Playoffs will continue and you can bet things will be interesting as there is not a heavy favorite to win this year’s Super Bowl. Unfortunately, our Lions came up just short of making the playoffs, as they finished with a 9-8 overall record. That being said, the 2023 NFL Draft is not too far off in the distance, and you can bet Lions’ GM Brad Holmes will be looking to bolster the defense.
Why it matters
When the 2023 NFL Draft kicks off in April, the Lions, assuming they do not make a trade, will have two picks in the opening round. Here are the picks the Lions currently have in the first round.
- Round 1, pick 6
- Round 1, pick 18
What ‘upsetting’ pick does Daniel Jeremiah have the Detroit Lions making?
With the No. 6 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Jeremiah has the Lions selecting CB Devon Witherspoon out of Illinois.
“I fell in love with Witherspoon’s skill set after the first game I studied. He is dripping with instincts and possesses outstanding ball skills. His feisty play style would fit the culture Dan Campbell and Co. are building in Detroit.“
If the Lions select Witherspoon with the No. 6 overall pick, you can bet there will be quite a few fans who would hate the pick. I would be one of those fans as I believe there will be a great option left at CB when the Lions are on the clock at No. 18.
Jeremiah then has the Lions taking LB Trenton Simpson out of Clemson with the No. 18 overall pick in the first round.
“The Lions add another athletic playmaker in Simpson, who could slide right next to Malcolm Rodriguez to form an excellent young LB corps.”
The Big Picture for the Detroit Lions
There is no question about it that the Lions are going to address the defensive side of the ball in the 2023 NFL Draft. There is also no question about it that the Lions need to add a starting cornerback to their current roster.
That being said, it would be surprising to see Brad Holmes select a cornerback, especially Witherspoon, with the No. 6 overall pick.
Don, DJ was a professional scout for the Ravens and he likely knows that some players, like Witherspoon, are going to be massive risers in March/April. If we want the best CB, we may well have to take him at #6– and this is far better for our defense than getting the Edge rushers commonly mocked to us.