With less than a week to go before draft day, the Detroit Lions have signed/resigned 18 players to the team. They have also lost nine players to teams around the league. As these players come and go, the needs of the team shift as well. In this two round mock draft, this article will look at what the Lions’ 2023 class might look like following the free agent shuffle.
RD 1: PICK 6 – DT, JALEN CARTER, GEORGIA
Carter is an extremely polarizing prospect, but it is because of his controversy that the Lions might have the chance to draft him at number 6. He is arguably the most talented prospect in the entire draft and he just so happens to play the weakest position on the Lions’ roster. If Brad Holmes decides Carter’s talent outweighs the associated risks, this should be the pick. With the newly revamped secondary and names like Carter, Hutchinson, Houston, and more on the defensive line, defense could actually be a strength for Detroit in 2023.
R1: PICK 18 – OLB, NOLAN SMITH, GEORGIA
Smith is an incredibly gifted athletic prospect and put up one of the most impressive combines in the class. He has versatility as a linebacker and an edge rusher and was hailed as one of the most selfless players on Georgia’s defense. Intangibles? Versatility? Sounds like a Brad Holmes player to me. With Alex Anzalone and Malcolm Rodriguez as the projected starters, Smith gives the linebacker room and instant athletic upgrade. I also think pairing Smith with his teammate Jalen Carter might quell concerns about Carter’s off the field issues. When asked about Carter in an interview, Smith replied “Man, I just want to go ahead and clear this up right now to y’all – J.C. is just misunderstood. He’s probably one of my favorite teammates to play with…I love pass rushing with him. I just (love) being around him in the locker room. He’s just an amazing friend.” Carter and Smith won two national championships with Georgia. Bringing that winning mindset to Detroit would be an amazing way to kick off the Lion’s march to contention.
RD2: PICK 48 – CB, CAM SMITH, SOUTH CAROLINA
Smith is an incredibly versatile corner who plays with energy on every snap. He played in a heavy man scheme during his time at South Carolina and excelled as a physical, long, and instinctual corner. He has drawn favorable comparisons to fellow gamecock Jaycee Horn, who has shown incredible ability since entering the NFL and was one of the better NFL cornerbacks in 2022. Smith plays with a swagger that is required of physical man corners, and it translates to his on-field performance. When asked about any second half adjustments the Gamecocks made that staggered top-ranked Tennessee, Smith was comically quoted saying, “Nothing… Just drop your nuts”. This type of confidence combined with his athletic ability should make him one of the better defensive backs to come out of the 2023 draft.
RD2: PICK 55 – QB, HENDON HOOKER, TENNESSEE
With their last pick in the second round, the Lions address the quarterback question. Brad Holmes has demonstrated a history of selecting players who fall in the draft due to injury. Even still, it is highly debatable whether Hooker will make it this far. If he does, the Lions would be able to add a promising quarterback prospect. Hooker, 25, has received criticism for the age he will enter the NFL, but his experience might be an asset as a backup to Goff. In the event of an injury, Hooker would have more experience than most rookie QBs. With this pick, the Lions are selecting someone who could easily be Goff’s backup, or the QB of the Lions future.
