After the Senior Bowl and before Super Bowl LVII, here’s a fresh three-round 2023 mock draft for the Detroit Lions.
The Senior Bowl uses the slogan “The Draft Starts in Mobile”, or something like that as I possibly clumsily paraphrase. It is an official ramp-up to the pre-draft process every year though, as the league gathers to evaluate incoming upperclassmen draft prospects.
The Detroit Lions certainly had their eye on some of the prospects participating in the 2023 Senior Bowl, especially players on the defensive side of the ball. The plan of attack for April’s draft is now surely taking more formal shape, certainly with some focus on adding more young talent to the defense.
On the heels of our first 2023 mock draft ahead of the conference title games, after the Senior Bowl and days before the Super Bowl is a perfect time for another mock draft spin.
Using Pro Football Network’s draft simulator, here is the result of a new three-round, no trades, 2023 mock draft for the Detroit Lions.
Detroit Lions’ 3-round post-Senior Bowl 2023 mock draft
Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
First Round
6
Jalen Carter
DT Georgia
Carter is somewhere in the conversation to go first overall if the Chicago Bears stay put there (however unlikely that is), and for good reason. He missed a few games due to injury last season, but he had three sacks and seven tackles for loss in his 13 games. At this point it would be a surprise if he falls out of he top-five.
Carter is a rare size (310 pounds) and quickness combo on the interior line, and he was a key piece of back-to-back national title-winning defenses at Georgia. When he fell to the Lions here, the proverbial draft card was easy to turn in with his name on it.
18
Devon Witherspoon
CB Illinois
Witherspoon is garnering buzz right now as the best cornerback in a deep class at the position this year. The tape doesn’t lie about his prowess as a cover corner, so there’s something to the buzz. But if the notion he might not test as well athletically as his position at the NFL Combine bears fruit, he may articifically fall further than he should.
Cornerback is the top need the Lions this offseason. Taking the best available at the position was easily in play here, especially after taking Carter at No. 6, and Witherspoon was the one in this mock spin.