Lions Select DE, CB in Mel Kiper's First 2023 Mock Draft

Read more on the two players Mel Kiper has the Detroit Lions selecting in his first NFL mock draft of 2023.

ESPN NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper came out with his first mock draft of 2023 on Wednesday, and in it, he had the Lions selecting at No. 6 (via the Rams) and No. 18 overall. 

With the No. 6 pick, Kiper selected Texas Tech defensive end Tyree Wilson. 

"The Lions finished the season with eight wins in their final 10 games, but their explosive offense papered over massive holes on the other side of the ball," Kiper writes. "They ranked last in the league in yards per play allowed (6.2) and opposing QBR (55.9); they had issues defending the run and the pass. Wilson, the top true defensive end in this class, would help both. He can use his burst at the snap to beat offensive tackles on passing downs or use his 6-foot-6 frame to hold up against the run. An edge-rushing duo of Wilson and Aidan Hutchinson would be formidable, with surprise rookie James Houston working in on obvious passing downs."

While Detroit's defense still ended up being ranked in the lower third of the NFL, the unit's play in the second half of the season steadily improved. The young roster forced a significant amount of turnovers and pressured the quarterback more, as rookie James Houston burst onto the scene. 

More: Contract Status of Lions' Cornerbacks in 2023

With the second of two first-round picks, Detroit general manager Brad Holmes takes Oregon cornerback Christian Gonzalez. 

"Remember when I mentioned earlier that the Lions have cornerback issues? Well, hopefully at least Lions fans were reading. Jeff Okudah flashed the talent that made him the No. 3 overall pick in 2020, but he was still inconsistent, and there's no surefire starter on the other side of the field," Kiper explained. "Gonzalez was a lockdown defender at Colorado before transferring to Oregon last year, where he picked off four passes and improved every week. He's going to test really well at the combine in March too. This pick makes too much sense for a Detroit defense that badly needs an infusion of young talent in the secondary."

Adding Gonzalez would be intriguing, as Jerry Jacobs rebounded from a serious injury to prove he fits the Lions' culture defensively.

Pairing Gonzalez with Jacobs and Okudah, along with a veteran free-agent defensive back, could aid the secondary in performing much better in 2023. 

Currently, it does not appear Amani Oruwariye fits in the long-term plans of the Lions, as he took a drastic step backwards in 2022.