Mock Draft Roundup: Jalen Carter No Longer Popular Lions Pick
It's time for the latest All Lions mock draft roundup.
After a subpar performance at his Pro Day, Jalen Carter has not been mocked that much to the Lions this week at No. 6 overall.
Over the last week, Arkansas linebacker Drew Sanders has emerged as a popular pick for the Detroit Lions at No. 18 overall.
Let’s explore now who the draft analysts have Lions general manager Brad Holmes selecting in the first round, starting with the No. 6 overall pick.
Defensive lineman Jalen Carter, Georgia
Carter is currently being mocked by the following:
CBS Sports (Chris Trapasso); The Draft Network (Ryan Fowler)
Cornerback Christian Gonzalez, Oregon
Gonzalez is presently being mocked by the following:
Pro Football Network (Cam Mellor); Pro Football Network (Joe Broback); Pro Football Network (Oliver Hodgkinson); Draft Countdown (Brad Menendez); Pro Football Focus (Trevor Sikkema); The Sporting News (Vinnie Iyer); CBS Sports (Kyle Stackpole); Walter Football (Charlie Campbell); The 33rd Team (Scouting Department)
As Stackpole writes,
"Christian Gonzalez seems to have cemented himself as this classes' best cornerback after his showing at the NFL Combine. He tested really well and showcased smooth athleticism during on-field drills -- and that's in addition to displaying his ball-hawking skills this past season at Oregon. The Lions need more defensive playmakers, and Gonzalez fits the bill."
EDGE Tyree Wilson, Texas Tech
Wilson is currently being mocked by the following:
Walter Football (Walter Cherepinsky); Tankathon; CBS Sports (Josh Edwards); CBS Sports (Ryan Wilson)
As Wilson writes,
"The more you watch of Wilson, the more you love his game. Not only what he put on tape at Texas Tech, but his upside 2-3 years down the road. He's long, has the frame to add weight if needed and he's a dominant, high-motor pass rusher who can take over games. He's had a foot injury that sidelined him late in the college season and kept him from participating in the Senior Bowl and the combine. The hope is that he'll be ready for his pro day."
Let's turn our attention now to who the draft analysts have projected for Detroit at No. 18.
Safety Brian Branch, Alabama
Branch is currently being picked by the following:
Pro Football Network (Cam Mellor)
Wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State
Smith-Njigba is presently being mocked by the following:
Pro Football Network (Oliver Hodgkinson)
As Hodgkinson writes,
"With their second pick of this 2023 NFL Mock Draft, the Lions add another weapon to their receiving group. Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s absence from the majority of the 2022 college football season had appeared to raise enough question marks to tank his stock.
However, his Combine performance answered some athleticism questions, and there’s no doubting the Ohio State WR’s impressive route-running ability. With the football intelligence to find soft spots in zone coverage and his ability to convert at the catch point, Smith-Njigba should become the latest Brian Hartline protégé to find success in the NFL."
Linebacker Drew Sanders, Arkansas
Sanders is presently being picked by the following:
Pro Football Network (Joe Broback); Draft Countdown (Brad Menendez)
Arkansas linebacker Drew Sanders
Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports
EDGE Nolan Smith, Georgia
Smith is presently being mocked by the following:
Pro Football Focus (Trevor Sikkema)
As Sikkema pens,
"Dan Campbell is going to love Nolan Smith. I know edge rusher isn’t their biggest area of need, but if Smith makes it this far in the order, I have a hard time believing he wouldn’t be a Lion. Smith is passionate about football, has elite athletic traits and will defend the run until his last breath."
Cornerback Julius Brents, Kansas State
Brents is presently being mocked by the following:
The Draft Network (Ryan Fowler)
Defensive lineman Myles Murphy, Clemson
Murphy is presently being mocked by the following:
Cornerback Devon Witherspoon, Illinois
Witherspoon is presently being mocked by the following:
CBS Sports (Ryan Wilson); CBS Sports (Josh Edwards)
As Edwards writes,
"Detroit has signed Cam Sutton and Emmanuel Moseley this offseason, but neither has been much more than a journeyman in their respective careers. The Lions need stability in that unit, and Devon Witherspoon already has history with safety Kerby Joseph."
Running back Bijan Robinson, Texas
Robinson is currently being mocked by the following:
The Sporting News (Vinnie Iyer); The 33rd Team (Scouting Department); Walter Football (Walter Cherepinsky); Walter Football (Charlie Campbell)
Defensive lineman Bryan Bresee, Clemson
Bresee is presently being picked by the following:
Tight end Michael Mayer, Notre Dame
Mayer is currently being selected by the following:
