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If you are a crazy Detroit Lions fan like I am, and cannot get enough of anything and everything regarding the NFL Draft, you probably paid close attention to the Reese's Senior Bowl, and the week leading up to it. You also probably know that it is the week leading up to the game that is extremely valuable as teams (and scouts and reporters) are able to see the prospects up close as they participate in specific drills that focus on exposing weaknesses and identifying strengths. With the Senior Bowl officially in the books, the post-Senior Bowl 2023 NFL Mock Drafts have started to drop, including one from Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports.
Detroit Lions strike gold with No. 6 overall pick
In his post-Senior Bowl mock draft, Wilson has the Colts trading up to No. 1, where they then select QB C.J. Stroud out of Ohio State. With the No. 2 pick, he has the Texans taking QB Bryce Young out of Alabama. He then has the Tampa Bay Buccaneers trading all the way up to No. 3, where they draft QB Will Levis out of Kentucky. Here are the Top 5 picks leading up to Detroit at No. 6.
- 1. Colts – QB C.J. Stroud
- 2. Texans – QB Bryce Young
- 3. Buccaneers.- QB Will Levis
- 4. Bears – EDGE Will Anderson
- 5. Seahawks – EDGE Tyree Wilson
If the top five picks play out as listed above, the Lions should be jumping for joy as DL Jalen Carter would have fallen directly into their laps. Not surprisingly, Wilson has the Lions selecting Carter with the No. 6 overall pick.
“The Lions use the first of two first-rounders to add arguably the best player in this draft. In related news: a defensive front that includes Carter and Aidan Hutchinson is a real problem for the rest of the NFC North.“
Lions make surprising pick at No. 18 pick in 2023 NFL Mock Draft
I have been preaching to all who will listen that Brad Holmes should pass on a cornerback at No. 6 because he will almost certainly be able to land one of the following cornerbacks at No. 18.
- Joey Porter Jr.
- Devon Witherspoon
- Christian Gonzalez
- Kelee Ringo
Well, Wilson believes that when the Lions are on the clock, Witherspoon and Porter will be off the board, but that Gonzalez and Ringo will both be available. In this scenario, I would take Gonzalez and be extremely excited about the pick.
Instead, Wilson does have Detroit selecting a cornerback, but he has them taking CB Deonte Banks out of Maryland.
“Maryland teammate and fellow CB Jakorian Bennett got much of the buzz in the fall, but Deonte Banks put together the type of season that will land you in the top-50 conversation. He's a fluid athlete who is also a big, physical corner who can match up with NFL wide receivers.“
Bottom Line for this 2023 NFL Mock Draft
If the Lions somehow land Jalen Carter at No. 6, I will be the guy running down the street with his shirt off, screaming at the top of my lungs in excitement. But, if Gonzalez is still on the board at No. 18, and Detroit selects Deonte Banks, I may just lock myself in a padded room for the remainder of my life. If the scenario above actually takes place, Brad Holmes had better nail it.
