2023 NFL Team Draft Page

Detroit Lions



DETROIT LIONS TEAM NEEDS
Most recent team needs update: March 15

Starter Need High (P1, P2)
OLB

Starter Need Medium (P3)
WR
OG
TE
NT
DL3T
ILB
CB

Mid Round Fill High (P5)
OC
CBN

Depth Fill (P4)
RB
WRS
EDGE
SFTY

Late Round Fill (P6)
QB
OT
DL5T

Minimal Need (P9)


LIONS PICKS/COMMENTS MOST RECENT MOCK
Results from Consensus Mock Draft: 2023 Draft Day 3
Most recent mock draft update: 4/28/23

R1
12
Detroit (Trade)
Jahmyr Gibbs
Alabama
RB
Reach/Value:
-24
Height:
5'11"
Weight:
200
Jahmyr Gibbs NFL Draft photo
DET g CLE t HOU t ARI (Watson/Draft trades)
After a savvy trade down netted an additional pick and got them out of the Jalen Carter quandary, the Lions raised some eyebrows by grabbing Alabama RB Jamyr Gibbs at Pick 12. He brings lightning quickness and finishing speed, along with above-average pass catching and route running ability. Gibbs put up long TDs in the run and pass game in college and promises home-run potential in the NFL.

A very nice back adds another weapon for QB Jared Goff. This move makes it clear that D'Andre Swift will not be extended and may not even make it to this fall in a Lions uniform. Grade: B+

--Jud Branam, Lions Analyst
R1
18
Detroit
Jack Campbell
Iowa
ILB
Reach/Value:
-21
Height:
6'5"
Weight:
243
Jack Campbell NFL Draft photo
The fit between Lions Coach Dan Campbell and their new linebacker Jack Campbell goes beyond a shared last name. Both are jumbo sized old-school football guys who exude grit and effort. Campbell is a sideline-to-sideline backer at 6'5" and 250 pounds who promises to help tighten up the Lions sometimes porous rush defense. He may not be a big asset to the team's pass coverage, so this pick feels like a bit of a reach. Grade: B-

--Jud Branam, Lions Analyst
R2
34
Detroit (Trade)
Sam LaPorta
Iowa
TE
Reach/Value:
-15
Height:
6'3"
Weight:
245
Sam LaPorta NFL Draft photo
DET g ARI (Draft trade)
Half a season after trading out of an Iowa Tight End to avoid extending his contract, the Lions dipped in for the Hawkeye called "Kittle 2.0" Sam Laporta. Again, the Lions trusted their board enough to bypass other top prospects and grab someone expected to go a half-round later. Laporta is good but not great in a lot of ways, but he comes from Tight End U and should be in heavy rotation from Day 1. Grade: B

--Jud Branam, Lions Analyst.
R2
45
Detroit (Trade)
Brian Branch
Alabama
S
Reach/Value:
26
Height:
6'0"
Weight:
190
Brian Branch NFL Draft photo
DET g GB (Draft Trade)
Brian Branch's surprising slide came to an abrupt end when the Lions traded up three spots to grab him. Besides becoming Alabama North, the move gives the new-look Lions secondary some versatile depth. Branch is a coach on the field and an outstanding tackler and fits in with the whole Dan Campbell vibe. Good move! Grade: A
R3
68
Detroit (Trade)
Hendon Hooker
Tennessee
QB
Reach/Value:
38
Height:
6'3"
Weight:
217
Hendon Hooker NFL Draft photo
DET g DEN (Draft trade)
The Lions' meandering trip through the 2023 Draft took another turn after a few trades up and down and a few head-scratching picks with an upgrade to their backup QB position in the person of Hendon Hooker of Tennessee. An accurate passer who looked like a first-rounder until he tore his ACL, Hooker is well into his rehab and figures to be ready to back up Jared Goff this fall. Grade: B
R3
96
Detroit (Trade)
Brodric Martin
Western Kentucky
DL1T
Reach/Value:
-97
Height:
6'5"
Weight:
330
Brodric Martin NFL Draft photo
DET g ARI (Draft Trade)
At long last, the wait for a big guy came to an end for the Detroit Lions, as they grabbed Western Kentucky DT Rodric Martin with their sixth selection of the draft. A huge man at 337 pounds, Martin shapes up as a developmental prospect and a 100-pick reach by the Lions in this draft. Maybe they know something we don't. Grade: D
R5
152
Detroit
Colby Sorsdal
William & Mary
OT
Reach/Value:
-114
Height:
6'6"
Weight:
300
Colby Sorsdal NFL Draft photo
R7
219
Detroit (Trade)
Antoine Green
North Carolina
WR
Reach/Value:
-194
Height:
6'2"
Weight:
199
Antoine Green NFL Draft photo
PHI g HOU t MIN (Reagor/Blacklock)


LIONS HISTORICAL DRAFT PICKS

Reach/Value (R/V) Explained
The difference between where a player is selected in the NFL draft versus where the player was listed on the final Drafttek Big Board for the season in question.
Example: A player who was listed at #50 on the Big Board and was selected at #35 will be a "Reach" of -15. Alternately, a player listed at #35 on the Big Board who was selected at #50 is a +15 "Value".

Simply put: a positive number is a Value pick, a negative number is a Reach.

YEAR RD PK NAME SCHOOL PSN R/V RV Val
2023 1 12 Jahmyr Gibbs Alabama RB Reach -24
2023 1 18 Jack Campbell Iowa ILB Reach -21
2023 2 34 Sam LaPorta Iowa TE Reach -15
2023 2 45 Brian Branch Alabama S Value +26
2023 3 68 Hendon Hooker Tennessee QB Value +38
2023 3 96 Brodric Martin Western Kentucky DL1T Reach -97
2023 5 152 Colby Sorsdal William & Mary OT Reach -114
2023 7 219 Antoine Green North Carolina WR Reach -194
YEAR RD PK NAME SCHOOL PSN R/V RV Val
2022 1 2 Aidan Hutchinson Michigan EDGE Value +1
2022 1 12 Jameson Williams Alabama WR Reach -8
2022 2 46 Josh Paschal Kentucky DL5T Reach -46
2022 3 97 Kerby Joseph Illinois S Value +16
2022 5 177 James Mitchell Virginia Tech TE Value +1
2022 6 188 Malcolm Rodriguez Oklahoma State ILB Value +28
2022 6 217 James Houston Jackson State OLB Reach -37
2022 7 237 Chase Lucas Arizona St CB Reach -94
YEAR RD PK NAME SCHOOL PSN R/V RV Val
2021 1 7 Penei Sewell Oregon OT Value +5
2021 2 41 Levi Onwuzurike Washington DL3T Value +0
2021 3 72 Alim McNeill North Carolina State DL1T Value +3
2021 3 101 Ifeatu Melifonwu Syracuse CB Value +24
2021 4 112 Amon-Ra St. Brown USC WR Value +49
2021 4 113 Derrick Barnes Purdue ILB Reach -15
2021 7 257 Jermar Jefferson Oregon State RBC Value +29
YEAR RD PK NAME SCHOOL PSN R/V RV Val
2020 1 3 Jeffrey Okudah Ohio State CB Reach -3
2020 2 35 D'Andre Swift Georgia RB Value +6
2020 3 67 Julian Okwara Notre Dame EDGE Reach -9
2020 3 75 Jonah Jackson Ohio State OG Reach -22
2020 4 121 Logan Stenberg Kentucky OG Value +19
2020 5 166 Quintez Cephus Wisconsin WR Reach -66
2020 5 172 Jason Huntley NM State RBC Reach -66
2020 6 197 John Penisini Utah DL1T Reach -118
2020 7 235 Jashon Cornell Ohio State DL5T Reach -17
YEAR RD PK NAME SCHOOL PSN R/V RV Val
2019 1 8 T.J. Hockenson Iowa TE Reach -1
2019 2 43 Jahlani Tavai Hawaii ILB Reach -80
2019 3 81 Will Harris Boston College S Reach -45
2019 4 117 Austin Bryant Clemson EDGE Reach -43
2019 5 146 Amani Oruwariye Penn State CB Value +98
2019 6 184 Travis Fulgham Old Dominion WR Reach -13
2019 6 186 Ty Johnson Maryland RB Reach -114
2019 7 224 Isaac Nauta Georgia TE Value +53
2019 7 229 P.J. Johnson Arizona DL1T Value +28
YEAR RD PK NAME SCHOOL PSN R/V RV Val
2018 1 20 Frank Ragnow Arkansas OC Reach -40
2018 2 43 Kerryon Johnson Auburn RB Reach -31
2018 3 82 Tracy Walker LA-Lafayette S Reach -66
2018 4 114 Da'Shawn Hand Alabama DL5T Value +65
2018 5 153 Tyrell Crosby Oregon OT Value +63
2018 7 237 Nick Bawden San Diego State FB Reach -129
YEAR RD PK NAME SCHOOL PSN R/V RV Val
2017 1 21 Jarrad Davis Florida ILB Reach -27
2017 2 53 Teez Tabor Florida CB Reach -12
2017 3 96 Kenny Golladay N Illinois WRF Reach -66
2017 4 124 Jalen Reeves-Maybin Tennessee LB Reach -18
2017 4 127 Michael Roberts Toledo TE Value +18
2017 5 165 Jamal Agnew San Diego CB Value +7
2017 6 205 Jeremiah Ledbetter Arkansas DE Value +31
2017 6 215 Brad Kaaya Miami (FL) QB Value +10
2017 7 250 Pat O'Connor Eastern Michigan DE Value +4
YEAR RD PK NAME SCHOOL PSN R/V RV Val
2016 1 16 Taylor Decker Ohio State OT Reach -5
2016 2 46 A'Shawn Robinson Alabama DL5T Value +31
2016 3 95 Graham Glasgow Michigan OG Reach -58
2016 4 111 Miles Killebrew Southern Utah S Reach -7
2016 5 151 Joe Dahl Washington St OG Reach -14
2016 5 169 Antwione Williams Ga. Southern ILB Reach -271
2016 6 191 Jake Rudock Michigan QB Reach -112
2016 6 202 Anthony Zettel Penn State DL3T Reach -62
2016 6 210 Jimmy Landas Baylor LS Reach -267
2016 7 236 Dwayne Washington Washington RBC Reach -162
YEAR RD PK NAME SCHOOL PSN R/V RV Val
2015 1 28 Laken Tomlinson Duke OG Reach -25
2015 2 54 Ameer Abdullah Nebraska RBC Reach -2
2015 3 80 Alex Carter Stanford CB Value +7
2015 4 113 Gabe Wright Auburn DL3T Reach -7
2015 5 168 Michael Burton Rutgers FB Reach -135
2015 6 200 Quandre Diggs Texas CB Reach -3
2015 7 231 Cameron Artis-Payne Auburn RB Value +43
2015 7 240 Corey Robinson South Carolina OT Reach -29
YEAR RD PK NAME SCHOOL PSN R/V RV Val
2014 1 10 Eric Ebron North Carolina TE Reach -8
2014 2 40 Kyle Van Noy BYU OLB Reach -5
2014 3 76 Travis Swanson Arkansas OC Reach -31
2014 4 133 Nevin Lawson Utah State CB Reach -64
2014 4 136 Larry Webster Bloomsburg EDGE Reach -43
2014 5 158 Caraun Reid Princeton DL3T Value +37
2014 6 189 T.J. Jones Notre Dame WR Reach -30
2014 7 229 Nate Freese Boston College PK Reach -134