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ESPN NFL Draft Analyst Mel Kuiper unveiled the first mock draft of 2023 on Wednesday. In it, he had the Lions nominate his No. 6 (via the Rams) and his No. 18.
With the sixth pick, Kipper chose Texas Tech defensive end Tyree Wilson.
“The Lions finished the season with eight wins from their last 10 games, but their explosive offense obscured a huge hole on the other side of the ball,” Kuiper wrote. “They ranked last in the league in yards per play allowed (6.2) and QBR opposite (55.9). He’s the top true defensive end in , and will help both. He can beat offensive tackles on pass downs or use his 6-foot-6 physique to hold up on runs with his bursting on snaps. Wilson and Aidan Hutchinson’s edgelashing duo would be formidable… obvious lore.”
Detroit’s defense still ranked in the bottom third of the NFL, but its play improved steadily in the second half of the season. With rookie James Huston on the scene, the young roster was forced into a fair amount of turnovers, putting even more pressure on quarterbacks.
Read more: 2023 Lions cornerback contract status
© Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
On the second of two first-round picks, general manager Brad Holmes acquired Oregon cornerback Christian Gonzalez.
“Remember when I said earlier that the Lions have a cornerback problem? I hope at least Lions fans are reading. Jeff Okuda put him third overall in 2020.” We’ve flushed nominated talent, but he’s still inconsistent and nothing is certain. A starter on the other side of the field,” Kipper explained. Was a down defender.He picked four passes and was improving every week.He will also test really well at the March combine.This pick needs an injection of young talent in secondary school. ”
Adding Gonzalez will be interesting as Jerry Jacobs has rebounded from a serious injury and has proven defensively fit into the Lions culture. Pairing Gonzalez with Jacobs and Okuda, combined with a veteran free-agent defensive back, could lead to a significant secondary performance in 2023.
Now, Amani Orwalier doesn’t seem to fit into the Lions’ long-term plans as he takes a dramatic step forward in 2022.
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