Detroit Lions NFL Draft Guide 2023
Detroit Lions NFL Draft Guide 2023
The Detroit Lions bring a lot of momentum into the 2023 NFL Draft.
Following a 9-8 record in the 2022-23 NFL Season, Detroit holds five picks over the first two rounds of this year’s draft.
After addressing the lackluster secondary in free agency, Detroit has a lot of options for Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes to consider with the five early picks.
The 2023 NFL Draft will take place April 27-29.
Lions make surprising first round picks in NFL Draft
The Detroit Lions surprised many with their first round selections.
Detroit’s night started by trading back from No. 6 to No. 12 overall that landed the Lions the 34th overall pick in the process. With No. 12, the Lions took Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs. At No. 18, the Lions selected Iowa linebacker Jack Campbell.
Both selections appeared to be a “reach”, as in it seems like their value was more of a second-round grade or later first round. However, we know Brad Holmes is going to take the guys he likes and obviously sees something in these two.
Detroit has a busy second round now, with three picks. However, they won’t have another pick until the fifth round once the second is completed.
- First Round: No. 12 overall – RB Jahmyr Gibbs, Alabama
- First Round: No. 18 overall – LB Jack Campbell, Iowa
- Second Round: No. 3, 34th overall
- Second Round: No. 17, 48th overall
- Second Round: No. 24, 55th overall (from Minnesota)
- Fifth Round: No. 18, 152nd overall
- Fifth Round: No. 25, 159th overall (from Atlanta)
- Fifth Round: No. 34, 168th overall (from Arizona)
- Sixth Round: No. 6, 183rd overall (from Denver)
- Sixth Round: No. 17, 194th overall
Who were the top picks in 2023 NFL Draft
The 2023 NFL Draft was a quarterback-heavy start, with three quarterbacks taken in the first four selections.
Here’s a look at the top 10 selections from Thursday night’s first round:
- Carolina: QB Bryce Young, Alabama
- Houston: QB C.J. Stroud, Ohio State
- Houston: LB Will Anderson, Alabama
- Indianapolis: QB Anthony Richardson, Florida
- Seattle: CB Devon Witherspoon, Illinois
- Arizona: OT Paris Johnson Jr., Ohio State
- Las Vegas: DE Tyree Wilson, Texas Tech
- Atlanta: RB Bijan Robinson, Texas
- Philadelphia: DT Jalen Carter, Georgia
- Chicago: OT Darnell Wright, Tennessee
What mock drafts said about the Lions 2023 NFL Draft
The Detroit Lions were believed to be looking at defense in most cases with the No. 6 pick. That was according to most NFL prognosticators in the mock drafts.
Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon was the popular pick to be selected No. 6 in most mock drafts. He was also the favorite with oddsmakers to go No. 6, sitting with -130 odds on Thursday morning. Witherspoon would get selected No. 5 overall instead.
When it came to No. 18, picks were much more spread out. Defensive tackle, defensive back and tight end were all common selections. The Lions opted for linebacker
Here’s a look at what popular mock drafts were saying about the Lions in 2023.
| Mock Draft | No. 6 selection | No. 18 selection |
|---|---|---|
| Todd McShay, ESPN (April 27) | Will Anderson, EDGE, Alabama | Calijah Kancey, DT, Pittsburgh |
| Mel Kiper, ESPN (April 27) | Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois | Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame |
| Peter King, Pro Football Talk (April 24) | Will Anderson, EDGE, Alabama | Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland |
| Mike O’Hara, Detroit Lions (April 26) | Tyree Wilson, DE, Texas Tech | Calijah Kancey, DT, Pittsburgh |
| Logan Lamorandier, All Lions (April 26) | Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois | Bryan Bresee, DL, Clemson |
| Michael Renner, Pro Football Focus (April 19) | CJ Stroud, QB, Ohio State (Trade up to No. 2) | Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State |
| Danny Kelly, The Ringer (April 26) | Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois | Bryan Bresee, DL, Clemson |
| Pete Prisco, CBS Sports (April 25) | Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon | Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah |
| Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA Today (April 27) | Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois | Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame |
| Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com (April 26) | Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois | Calijah Kancey, DT, Pittsburgh |
| Charles Davis, NFL.com (April 26) | Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois | Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah |
| Peter Schrager, NFL.com (April 27) | Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois | Myles Murphy, DE, Clemson |
Lions to host 2024 NFL Draft
In just one more year, the Detroit Lions will play host to the NFL Draft.
It was announced by the league on March 28, 2022 that the home of the Lions will get the honor to host the three-day event in 2024.
“The draft has become a prominent offseason event across the country, and we are excited to work with the Lions and their partners to bring the 2024 NFL Draft to the Motor City,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. “With the help of Visit Detroit, the Detroit Sports Commission, and the City of Detroit the Lions passionate fan base and all visitors will be treated to an incredible three-day experience.”
The news correlated with the Lions also being announced for the 2022 edition of HBO’s Hard Knocks, which put a spotlight on Dan Campbell and his hard-nosed coaching style.
The draft will be centered in a revitalized downtown. The area around Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza will serve as the draft and the NFL Draft Experience event site.