NFL Draft Recap: Detroit Lions: 2023 NFL Draft Outlook

2023 NFL Draft recap for the Detroit Lions. Which positions did they address? Which players did they draft?

The Detroit Lions played a critical role in the 2023 NFL Draft. The team had two first-round picks, including the sixth overall selection. They got that pick from the Los Angeles Rams as part of the Matthew Stafford trade.

However, the Lions made several trades during the 2023 NFL Draft, including a top-10 deal with the Arizona Cardinals.

Detroit made eight picks in the 2023 NFL Draft, including four in the top 50 selections. However, were any of them a quarterback?

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Who Did The Detroit Lions Draft On Offense?

Despite many mock drafts having the Lions taking a quarterback with one of their first-round picks, the team passed on Will Levis twice on draft night. Instead, the team used their first selection on Jahmyr Gibbs. Detroit traded away D’Andre Swift two days after selecting the former Alabama running back. That means Gibbs will have a significant role as a rookie. He had over 1,350 scrimmage yards and 10 touchdowns in his lone season at Alabama.

The Lions spent their early second-round pick on Iowa tight end Sam LaPorta. Detroit had a massive hole at tight end after trading away T.J. Hockenson last season. The former Hawkeye had 111 receptions for 1,327 receiving yards and four touchdowns over the past two years. He should have a significant role as a rookie.

Detroit finally drafted a quarterback in the third round, selecting Tennessee’s Hendon Hooker. He had 3,135 passing yards and 27 touchdowns last year before suffering a torn ACL. The rookie will be Jared Goff’s backup this year but could take over as the starter in 2024.

After making five picks over the first two days of the NFL Draft, the Lions had only two selections on Day 3. They drafted William & Mary offensive tackle Colby Sorsdal in the fifth round and North Carolina wide receiver Antoine Green in the seventh. Both players will likely have limited roles this season.

Who Did The Detroit Lions Draft On Defense?

While the Lions used their top draft pick on Gibbs, the team spent their second first-round pick on Iowa linebacker Jack Campbell. Many called the selection a massive reach. However, the former Hawkeye had 265 tackles over the past two years. Furthermore, Campbell has an outstanding athletic profile.

Detroit also spent a second-round pick on defensive back Brian Branch and a third-rounder on defensive lineman Brodric Martin. Both rookies should play rotational snaps this season, with Branch potentially earning a starting role later in the year.

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