Lions Target CB, LB in Mel Kiper's Latest Mock Draft

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

In his first 2023 NFL mock draft, released in late January, ESPN's Mel Kiper had the Detroit Lions targeting two defensive players. 

With so many needs on the defensive side of the football, Kiper again has the Lions targeting defense in the first round in his second mock draft, released just ahead of the scouting combine. 

The veteran draft analyst had the Lions selecting at No. 6 (via the Rams) and No. 18 overall. His latest projection also included trades, as the Houston Texans move up to the No. 1 spot to draft Alabama quarterback Bryce Young. 

With the No. 6 pick, the Lions selected Oregon cornerback Christian Gonzalez. 

The talented defensive back was also mocked to Detroit in Kiper's first projection, but at pick No. 18. 

"I wrote in January this was a little high for the Lions to take a cornerback, but I've come around on the ceiling of this corner class," writes Kiper. "We could see two in the top 10. People I talk to in the NFL believe Gonzalez is going to test off the charts at the combine, and Devon Witherspoon (Illinois) and Joey Porter Jr. (Penn State) have a chance to be the No. 1 corner as well. The 6-2 Gonzalez had a stellar 2022 season at Oregon, picking off four passes."

With the second of two first-round picks, general manager Brad Holmes selects Arkansas linebacker Drew Sanders. 

"They should double dip on defense in Round 1, and Sanders, my top-ranked inside linebacker, would really help them," Kiper explained. "Again, this defense ranked near the bottom of the league in most statistical categories, so the Lions could go with the best defender left on their board. Sanders, a transfer from Alabama, stuffed the stat sheet in his lone season at Arkansas -- 111 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception. His pass-rush upside means he could move around the defense and make plays, and he should be a three-down defender."

Kiper also added that he has been contemplating mocking a tight end to Detroit at No. 18, but understands the team's vast needs on defense. 

"I thought about tight end for Detroit because it's a talented class at the top, and there's a hole after the TJ Hockenson trade, but the team likely could address the position on Day 2. It should use Day 1 to focus on defense," Kiper opined.