Burning Questions Facing Lions Ahead of 2023 NFL Draft
We're exactly a week out now from Day 1 of the 2023 NFL Draft. And still, there is no true consensus pick for the Detroit Lions with either the No. 6 or the No. 18 overall selections.
Will Detroit general manager Brad Holmes trade up from the sixth pick to select someone, or will he hold on to the pick and still get his guy?
It's time to examine that and more as part of the three burning questions facing the Lions, leading into next week's draft.
1.) Will the Lions trade up for Will Anderson Jr.?
At this point, I'm going to say no. I think Brad Holmes & Co. are content with sitting back and letting the draft play out, leading into the No. 6 overall selection. And, once the No. 6 pick rolls around, Detroit's front office will strike and take the best player available.
More specifically, I think the Lions will end up taking their highest-ranked defensive player on the board. And, if Anderson falls all the way to the sixth pick, I believe it will be the Alabama EDGE defender. However, I don't see Anderson still being available at that point.
Instead, I see Detroit selecting one of the following three players with the pick: Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter, Oregon cornerback Christian Gonzalez or Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon.
Below, I'll reveal who I believe the Lions will actually take with the pick.
2.) Which quarterback will the Lions draft?
At this present juncture, I'm going to go with UCLA's Dorian Thompson-Robinson. There's been more and more buzz growing about the Lions taking him in the later rounds of the draft. And personally, I think it'd be worthwhile for Detroit to take a flier on the dual-threat passer, with one of its four total picks in rounds five and six.
"DTR," as he's affectionately known, was a dynamite, game-changing presence for the Bruins under center. In fact, he closed out the 2022 campaign as one of only two FBS passers with as many as 27 touchdowns passes and 12 rushing TDs.
He's not expected to be ready to start under center from day one as a pro. However, with time and a little grooming, the belief is that Thompson-Robinson could be developed into a starting caliber-level signal-caller at the NFL level.
So, I certainly think it'd be worth it to invest a fifth-or-sixth-round pick in the UCLA product.
Ivan Pierre Aguirre, USA TODAY Sports
3.) Will Jalen Carter be a member of the Detroit Lions?
As much as it pains me to say it, I don't think he will be. The Georgia defensive lineman, because of the Seahawks picking at No. 5, could very well be off the board by the time the Lions' first pick of the weekend rolls around. Additionally, I'm not completely sold on the fact that Holmes & Co. are going to look past Carter's off-the-field baggage.
If I were the Lions, I'd take Carter with the No. 6 pick (if he's available). I believe he'd be an immediate upgrade along the interior of Detroit's defensive line, and help elevate the team's defense to the next level.
However, I'm not in Holmes' shoes, and I believe the organization will go in another direction with the pick because of the above reasons.
As of April 20, my prediction is that the Lions will take either Oregon's Christian Gonzalez or Illinois' Devon Witherspoon with the pick, and will ultimately opt for the defensive back whom Holmes & Co. have rated higher on their draft board. In my opinion, that's Witherspoon.
By taking Witherspoon, Detroit would not only be finding a high-level replacement for Jeff Okudah, but it'd also – and more importantly – be solidifying its defensive backs room as a strength. It'd be a terrific change of pace for a Lions secondary that has been abused by opposing passing games for far too long.
Once again, Witherspoon wouldn't be my pick with the Lions' first selection of the 2023 draft. Yet, I wouldn't mind it, as I believe the Illinois product will be a solid NFL cornerback for years to come.
