Many incoming draft prospects could be named as a fit for the Detroit Lions, but a surprising one has been put out there.
It’s not breaking news at this point, but the Detroit Lions in a very good spot for the 2023 NFL Draft. Two first-round picks, two second round picks and another in the top-85, there will be some talent added to a roster that already looks pretty good.
No position is totally off the table for the Lions in this draft, it’s just a matter of where value lines up and how they’ve shaped their draft board. In a broad sense, the list of prospects who could be deemed as good fits for the Lions is far longer than the list of players they will themselves deem as the best fits.
Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report has labeled ideal first-round fits for all 32 teams in the 2023 draft. With two first-rounders, the Lions get two ideal fits.
Surprising prospect named ‘ideal’ first-round fit for the Detroit Lions
The first ideal first-round fit Ballentine had for the Lions is a clear one–Texas Tech defensive end Tyree Wilson.
Taking Tyree Wilson at No. 6 would give them another blue-chip defensive end. The 6’6″, 271-pound has the strength to be an asset against the run with the bend and athleticism to be a good pass-rusher.
Then Ballentine stretches a little bit.
Quarterback is not such a dire need that the Lions should be looking to trade up for one, but if Kentucky’s Will Levis falls all the way to their second pick at No. 18 they would do well to put an end to his slide. In B/R’s latest mock draft, Levis surprisingly falls all the way to No. 19 and goes to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The evaluations on Levis are all over the place. He has suddenly become the betting favorite to be taken No. 2 overall on multiple sportsbooks, while there has been speculation he hasn’t made a great impression on some teams and could fall.
Of all the quarterbacks who could be tied to the Lions in this draft, Levis is a new one. And a shocking one. Which isn’t to say he’s not talented or won’t be great in the NFL, it would just be surprising if the Lions end up with him.