NFL Draft Grades - Detroit Lions
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Detroit Lions Upcoming 2023 Draft Picks (9)
Grade: A
The Cardinals had to move up ahead of the Raiders to draft Paris Johnson. This is the prospect Kyler Murray wanted, so it's hard to hate this selection. Arizona had to find someone to protect Murray, given that Murray hasn't been able to play a full season in the NFL yet. No one could have hated the Cardinals for picking Johnson at No. 3, so moving down three spots for him was great management.
Grade: B-
I had Jack Campbell going to the Lions in the second round. However, this is not like the Will McDonald selection because I've had Campbell going in the 20s on occasion, as we knew there was some interest from teams in that range. Campbell will also fill a huge need for Detroit. Still, I wish the Lions would have traded down for Campbell.
Grade: B
I'm not sure why the Buccaneers moved ahead of the Steelers for Cody Mauch, given that Pittsburgh drafted an offensive lineman yesterday. Still, this is a solid pick. The Buccaneers had a huge need on the offensive line, and Mauch is a rock-steady, plug-and-play guard.
Grade: C-
The Chiefs traded up, so they must have gone after one of the Tennessee receivers. Apparently not. Rashee Rice projects as a solid No. 2 receiver in the NFL, unlike Jalin Hyatt. Given how many talented receivers were still available, I don't know why Kansas City thought it had to trade up, especially for this player.
Grade: B+
The rebuilding process is about to begin for the Titans, who could be trading Derrick Henry in the near future. Tyjae Spears is a complete back who could take over as the starter in the near future. He makes sense in this range.
Grade: C+
This is a bit early for Colby Sorsdal, whom I never had in my mocks. However, Sorsdal was a solid right tackle and a team captain. He could provide good depth on the offensive line.
Grade: B
The Packers obviously needed a receiver, and they're getting a decent prospect in Dontayvion Wicks. The Virginia product has some speed concerns, but he's a tall, lengthy receiver who could be a good weapon in the red zone.
Grade: B-
The sixth round is the right range for J.L. Skinner, who is a safety-linebacker tweener. He may not have a natural position in the NFL, but he should be able to play special teams well.
Grade: C+
Keondre Coburn is not someone I had in my mocks because there is concern with him being able to keep his weight under control. He has potential as a solid run stuffer, however.
Walt's Mock Selections as of 6/6/2023 -View Current Mock Draft
Round: 1
Detroit Lions: Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
This pick wouldn't have been used on Devon Witherspoon had the draft been held about three weeks ago. Witherspoon hadn't worked out at that point, so there was some concern with his health. Those concerns have been resolved, however, as Witherspoon was able to put together a quality workout.
Devon Witherspoon is not quite six feet, but he has incredible speed. His injury concerns could drop him into the teens or 20s. See where he ranks in our 2023 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings.
*** OTHER 2023 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
1. Bijan Robinson, RB - The Lions love Bijan Robinson, but the lean seems to be toward Devon Witherspoon at this point.
2. Will Anderson, DE - We've seen some strange falls before, but this would be the very bottom for Anderson.
Round: 1
Detroit Lions: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama
Charlie Campbell mocked Bijan Robinson to the Lions often throughout the pre-draft process, and it's easy to see why. The Lions signed David Montgomery, but he's a replacement for Jamaal Williams. Detroit wants a true home run hitter at the position, which was supposed to be D'Andre Swift, who hasn't been able to stay healthy. Robinson is now off the board, but there's another first-round running back who would be in strong consideration for this pick.
Jahmyr Gibbs is an instinctive back who runs with power and catches passes well.
*** OTHER 2023 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
1. Jahmyr Gibbs, RB - Both running backs are in play at this pick.
2. Jack Campbell, LB - This is a bit early for Jack Campbell, so perhaps the Lions would slide down a few spots. Still, Campbell would provide a huge boost to the linebacking corps.
Round: 2
Detroit Lions: Jack Campbell, LB, Iowa
The Lions have a huge hole at linebacker, so perhaps they'll address it in the first two rounds of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Jack Campbell has the size and athleticism to be a three-down player in the NFL.
Round: 2
Detroit Lions: Sam LaPorta, TE, Iowa
The Lions have an obvious hole at tight end because they traded T.J. Hockenson.
Sam LaPorta is a bit short for his position, but could be a quality receiving threat.
Round: 3
Detroit Lions: Gervon Dexter, DT, Florida
The Lions had a great edge rush last year, but they could stand to add some talented defensive tackles to improve the interior pass rush.
Gervon Dexter is a lengthy defensive lineman with plus quickness and strength.
Round: 5
Detroit Lions: Elijah Higgins, WR, Stanford
The Lions will be searching for another receiver to pair with Jameson Willams and Amon-Ra St. Brown.
Elijah Higgins has nice speed and an ability to separate.
Round: 5
Detroit Lions: K.J. Henry, DE, Clemson
The Lions could stand to add another pass rusher to combat Joe Burrow, Patrick Mahomes or Josh Allen in the Super Bowl.
K.J. Henry played better this past season than his numbers indicate.
Round: 6
Detroit Lions: Chandler Zavala, G, N.C. State
The Lions have an elite offensive line, but it never hurts to have depth up front.
Round: 6
Detroit Lions: Stetson Bennett, QB, Georgia
The Lions will likely be searching for a developmental quarterback on Day 3.
Stetson Bennett was very clutch in big games for Georgia. He'll look to become the next Brock Purdy or Colt McCoy.
Past Grades and Selections
2023 NFL Draft Selections and Grades
A The Cardinals had to move up ahead of the Raiders to draft Paris Johnson. This is the prospect Kyler Murray wanted, so it's hard to hate this selection. Arizona had to find someone to protect Murray, given that Murray hasn't been able to play a full season in the NFL yet. No one could have hated the Cardinals for picking Johnson at No. 3, so moving down three spots for him was great management.
B- I had Jack Campbell going to the Lions in the second round. However, this is not like the Will McDonald selection because I've had Campbell going in the 20s on occasion, as we knew there was some interest from teams in that range. Campbell will also fill a huge need for Detroit. Still, I wish the Lions would have traded down for Campbell.
B I'm not sure why the Buccaneers moved ahead of the Steelers for Cody Mauch, given that Pittsburgh drafted an offensive lineman yesterday. Still, this is a solid pick. The Buccaneers had a huge need on the offensive line, and Mauch is a rock-steady, plug-and-play guard.
C- The Chiefs traded up, so they must have gone after one of the Tennessee receivers. Apparently not. Rashee Rice projects as a solid No. 2 receiver in the NFL, unlike Jalin Hyatt. Given how many talented receivers were still available, I don't know why Kansas City thought it had to trade up, especially for this player.
B+ The rebuilding process is about to begin for the Titans, who could be trading Derrick Henry in the near future. Tyjae Spears is a complete back who could take over as the starter in the near future. He makes sense in this range.
C+ This is a bit early for Colby Sorsdal, whom I never had in my mocks. However, Sorsdal was a solid right tackle and a team captain. He could provide good depth on the offensive line.
B The Packers obviously needed a receiver, and they're getting a decent prospect in Dontayvion Wicks. The Virginia product has some speed concerns, but he's a tall, lengthy receiver who could be a good weapon in the red zone.
B- The sixth round is the right range for J.L. Skinner, who is a safety-linebacker tweener. He may not have a natural position in the NFL, but he should be able to play special teams well.
C+ Keondre Coburn is not someone I had in my mocks because there is concern with him being able to keep his weight under control. He has potential as a solid run stuffer, however.
2022 NFL Draft Selections and Grades
B+ Grade
The Lions did not expect to land Aidan Hutchinson a couple of weeks ago. Hutchinson was chalked to go to the Jaguars back then, but things changed since then. Jacksonville selected Travon Walker, allowing Hutchinson to fall to Detroit. Hutchinson is not an elite pass-rushing prospect like Chase Young or the Bosa brothers, but he's just a notch below. He's the best player available for the Lions, so this is the right choice. It would've been better had Detroit been able to trade down, but that wasn't really a possibility.
B Grade
The Lions traded up from No. 32 to 12 for a quarterb- no, wait, that's not right. These are the Lions we're talking about. They've moved up for a receiver. The Lions using mulitple resources on a receiver ... where have we seen that before? Look, I love Jameson Williams as a prospect, minus the torn ACL, but surrendering resources to a divisional opponent for a non-quarterback is irresponsible. That said, the Lions aren't giving up as much as initially expected, so I don't hate this move at all! I don't know what the Vikings are thinking here.
C Grade
I don't hate this pick, but I think it could've been better. The Lions already addressed their edge rush with Aidan Hutchinson, and I thought Josh Paschal would go toward the end of the second round, so I don't love this value. There were better players available who filled bigger needs.
C+ Grade
I wonder if the Nick Cross pick influenced this because I think Kerby Joseph was a slight reach, though not really an egregious one. Joseph is talented, but is a one-year wonder, so there's some concern in that regard. Still, the Lions needed help in the secondary, and Joseph could help.
A- Grade
The Lions are concerned about not being able to retain T.J. Hockenson past the 2022 season, so this pick makes sense from that regard. It's also a solid value choice, as James Mitchell could've gone in the fourth round with no complaints.
A Grade
I love this value for the Rams. I had Daniel Hardy pegged as a fifth-round prospect, as he was a highly productive player at Montana State. The Rams needed a replacement for Von Miller, so perhaps Hardy can contribute at some point.
2021 NFL Draft Selections and Grades
A+ Grade
I imagine the Lions are shocked that Penei Sewell made it past both the Bengals and Dolphins. This is a no-brainer selection. It could be argued that Sewell was the best player not named Trevor Lawrence in this class. Detroit has a huge hole at tackle, which Sewell will fill very nicely. Detroit's next quarterback - probably someone from next year's draft - go here for my 2022 NFL Mock Draft - will be thrilled to have Sewell blocking for him.
B Grade
The Lions maintained one of the worst run defenses in the NFL last year, so it's not a surprise to see them address that with this pick. I was never really a fan of putting Levi Onwuzurike in the first round because of his pass-rushing limitations, but he makes sense near the middle of the second round. This is a solid pick.
B Grade
This is a much better pick than Dallas' selection of Nahshon Wright. Like Wright, Ifeatu Melifonwu is a tall cornerback, but he's actually a good player. He'll be a liability in run support, but he could end up being a solid starter across from Jeff Okudah.
B Grade
Amon-Ra St. Brown was productive at USC, and he obviously helps fill a huge need for the Lions, who have nothing at receiver. However, I had St. Brown a bit later on Day 3, so I'm not wild about this value. Still, this is a fine selection.
B+ Grade
Here's another linebacker for the Browns to help neutralize Lamar Jackson. Tony Fields is an undersized player, and he's not very athletic, but he was very productive at West Virginia. I had him in the fourth round in some updates.