The Draft Vault: The Lost Files From The 2023 Detroit Lions Draft | Defense
My thoughts on the 2023 draft class - after four drafts of producing content, this may still be my best draft work.
While cleaning through old system files today after a major OneDrive crash. I came across something I thought was gone for forever — my original 2023 NFL Draft work and write-up about the Detroit Lions defense from the old/original, and now defunct website.
This was not a full draft board, and it was not a hindsight piece. This was my pre-draft defensive fit list — a position-by-position look at a few players I believed made sense for Detroit, where I valued them, and how they could fit the Lions’ defense at the time.
This is the kind of work that reminds you where your evaluations were before the picks were made and before the league told everyone who was right or wrong. It was my real-time view of what Detroit needed on defense, which prospects matched the culture, and how I would have attacked the defensive side of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Instead of letting the file disappear into a folder forever, I copied it here so the original thought process, player notes, and Lions-focused evaluation can live on. After four drafts of producing content, this may still be my best draft work.
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2023 NFL Draft | Defense Outlook
The 2023 NFL Draft is around the corner and the Lions are slotted to take five players within the top 81 picks. Based on Detroit’s current needs, position grades, value, and draft-pick slots, the Lions can add major pieces to help this defense climb into a respectable ranking this season. With the first goal to control the run game and force teams to feel uncomfortable.
I would expect the Lions to be players in a trade-back scenario in round one, while also exploring a move back up hunting value into the third or fourth round. The Lions are picking in unique spots that create real reach potential, but the hope is that a first-round trade back nets Detroit enough flexibility to cruise the draft boards with no fear for a bad deal.
The trade partners I have identified for this year’s draft: Houston at No. 12, Tennessee at No. 11, and Washington at No. 16 — all three could potentially want to move up to No. 6 to select a quarterback or DT Jalen Carter. I could also see a scenario where the Lions trade back from pick No. 18 with the Eagles at No. 28 or the Saints at No. 29, netting more day-two draft capital. The Lions would be in great shape if they were able to trade back from pick No. 18 and still stay in the first round.
Defensive Line
This draft is heavy on edge defenders and light on true defensive tackles. The Lions are missing a road grader next to Alim McNeill who can push the pocket and stop the run. After finishing near the bottom of the league in almost every defensive category in 2022, this position cannot be ignored.
Buggs is a solid backup for now, but he is not starter-grade for me. McNeill and the linebackers would all benefit greatly from adding a top-flight talent here. Levi (Onwuzurike) can play inside/outside, but he has yet to show or prove much of anything and remains an injury liability given his spine condition. Jones and Taylor are capable third- and fourth-string backup options at this point.
If the Lions add a dominant defensive tackle who can push McNeill, create disruption, and allow the role players to succeed off the edge, this defense gets better instantly. Brad Holmes has alluded to upgrading wherever he can as a priority by taking the best football player, not just drafting for position.
Rock’s Fits:
With the Jalen Carter issues off the field, I do not see the Lions adding a potential disruption to the locker room. Carter missed more than 25% of defensive snaps in both 2021 and 2022. His pro day was a mess, and while watching him perform, he did not look ready or committed to the process. My biggest red flags are the lack of preparedness and the off-field junk when it comes to not selecting Carter in the first round. Should the Lions end up selecting Carter, then they know something we don’t.
Let’s be clear here: I’m passing on Carter - I believe the Lions will too.
The first few names on this board have been heavily mocked to Detroit, but too much of the local media circus and local draft content get blinded by the bright lights, the highlights, and the big names — I don’t believe any of them ever once watched a lick of film. That is exactly how a GM gets caught with his pants down, reaching for hype instead of trusting the process through film and facts. You make the flashy move, sell the fan base on the name, and two seasons later realize the better football player was sitting right there the whole time.
This pick — and every pick — cannot be about noise. For me, it must be about fit, discipline, availability, and what translates to winning football in Detroit. Let’s talk about a couple of players who may not fit perfectly for me, but would be acceptable options.
Mazi Smith was the top player on Bruce Feldman’s “Freaks List” in 2022, and Smith blends phenomenal size and power with impressive athleticism and quickness. Smith is going to be one of the best athletes at defensive tackle in this draft, but is he a can’t-miss prospect? I don’t believe that to be true today, and a future as a backup is not worth a first-round pick.
Calijah Kancey is more of a gadget guy, that Swiss Army knife type of player. He does not possess the size and strength needed to anchor this defensive front against the run game. I do see Kancey being successful as a rotational piece in the right scheme and alongside the right anchor on a defense that fits his style — just not Detroit. The 6-foot, 280-pound defensive tackle led all interior defenders with a 92.4 pass-rushing efficiency grade this past fall.
With the depth in this draft, the Lions may wait to address the defensive line until later on day two. One of my favorite players in this draft is Kobie Turner out of Wake Forest. Turner produced incredible efficiency grades compared to the defensive tackles in this class, posting a 93.1 run-defense efficiency grade and an 88.8 pass-rushing efficiency grade via PFF.
Against scoop and combo blocks, Turner attacks. His hands are on instantly, he helps free up linebackers, and he plays with a solid base to avoid losing too much ground. After watching Turner’s highlights and the limited film I could find, I decided to watch a couple of Wake Forest games. I just can’t wrap my head around this player being viewed as a day-three pick — possibly even a UDFA.
Tony Pauline ranks Turner as the 372nd overall player and 23rd defensive tackle. NFL Draft Buzz has him as the 26th defensive tackle.
Huh? Are we watching the same player?
Turner is listed as a defensive tackle, but his ability to rush the passer from the outside with bend is something you do not see from players his size very often. Turner is a true tweener and a scheme-versatile defensive lineman. I could see his usage as a 3-4 power end, a nimbler 3-technique, or the big end in a 4-3 front with the ability to play up and down the line.
A solid day-two option for the Lions is Gervon Dexter. Dexter is a bit unrefined and raw, but his film does not disappoint. He has explosive get-off and the range to close quickly on running backs and create quarterback pressure. I project Dexter as a developmental piece initially, but once he gets established, he may be one of those players teams look back on and wonder why they did not value higher.
The Lions should have a chance at Dexter in the second round at pick No. 55, but his range may depend on how teams value his traits versus the developmental timeline.
My Picks: Kobie Turner is by far my favorite here. He may be missing on some analyst boards right now, but the traits and production say he will not stay hidden for long.
Cornerback
One of the biggest letdowns of the 2022 season was the inconsistent and poor play from the defensive back room. Injuries did not help, and not having a lockdown corner playing good football was clearly an issue.
I have the Lions’ need at cornerback ranked high here, as the team only has two cornerbacks signed past the 2023 season: Cam Sutton and Chase Lucas. Okudah would require the fifth-year option to be picked up, or he would need a new deal by 2024. Chase Lucas is not top-flight talent yet, and he is not a player that should give the Lions peace of mind in 2024.
In my opinion, pick No. 6 is a bit early for a corner, but the Lions are in a unique situation with two picks inside the top 18. Getting the right guy is more important than value, and that makes the reach at No. 6 for a corner less of a concern.
I do feel this is a perfect time to take a defensive back early, allowing the rookie to train under Sutton without the pressure of being the day-one guy, which is usually the case. This draft is loaded with top-end talent in the first two rounds. Taking one at pick No. 6 is not necessary, but if the Lions want one of the best prospects in this class, they’ll likely need to take one by pick No. 18.
Rock’s Fits:
Should the Lions spring for a corner early at pick No. 6, the best player, best culture fit, and best play-style match is Devon Witherspoon. His playing experience at Illinois with Kerby Joseph adds to the continuity factor and should help this rookie gel quickly with the defensive back room.
Devon possesses elite man-coverage skills, shows a great understanding of the offense pre-snap, adjusts post-snap with superior click-and-close ability to stay in phase, and mirrors receivers underneath. He has fluid hips with enough top-end speed to turn and run downfield. Shows good awareness when dropping into zone coverage, good route recognition, and the ability to break and cover ground fast.
Statistically, Witherspoon was the best-graded press corner in 2022. He was a runner-up or finalist for about every award known in college football. Witherspoon was my clear No. 1 corner since the first day I watched corner film beginning in December 2022. I fully expect DW to live up to the hype, he will become a special player at the next level — hopefully in Detroit.
Per PFF, Witherspoon led the nation in forced incompletions with 16 and ranked as the No. 2 graded cornerback in the country, with a 91.6 overall efficiency grade and a 92.0 coverage efficiency grade. He ranked sixth nationally and second in the Big Ten with 1.4 passes defended per game, sixth nationally with 17 passes defended, and fourth in the nation in NFL passer rating allowed at 24.3.
One of three finalists for the Thorpe Award.
One of 20 semifinalists for the Bednarik Award.
The first defensive back in Illinois history to be named a Consensus All-American.
Honored as a First-Team All-American by Walter Camp, AFCA, FWAA, Associated Press, Phil Steele, CBS, PFF, and the Reese’s Senior Bowl.
Named a USA Today Second-Team All-American — clearly, USA Today got it wrong.
Ranked as the top defensive back in the Big Ten by the Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year voting.
Named First-Team All-Big Ten by both the coaches and media.
Somebody explain why he was ranked the 12th overall player at his position back in December?
My second option is, surprise surprise, Christian Gonzalez. He is a fast, strong, and athletic corner who hit 23.3 mph on GPS, vertical-jumped 42 inches, and power-cleaned 325 pounds. Gonzalez tracks the ball well downfield and has solid ball skills, including the ability to high-point contested-catch situations. He has been challenged at times against bigger wide receivers, but adding him to the mix in Detroit would not require him to cover the No. 1 wide receiver right away.
Lastly, should the Lions address other needs with the No. 6 pick, I expect a defensive back to be taken in round two. Selecting any one of Deonte Banks, Emmanuel Forbes, or Joey Porter Jr. at a later pick would be a major upgrade to the room now.
My Picks: Devon Witherspoon at pick No. 6 is too early for me, but the player is worth it and these types of players are rare. Second choice: Christian Gonzalez at pick No. 18 book it!
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Safety
The Lions do not just need another body in the defensive back room — they need a player who can give them answers. Corner, nickel, safety, matchup defender, sub-package flexibility — this is where Detroit can upgrade the secondary without being locked into one position.
Walker is signed through 2024, but he is still recovering from a major Achilles injury. The speculation is he may not be ready until at least Week 2 of the regular season. With Deshone Elliott leaving in free agency, the Lions are not in the best depth position at safety.
C.J. Moore is back, and Kerby Joseph is expected to have a much bigger role and on breakout watch this season. Ifeatu Melifonwu has not been dependable to this point, suffering multiple injuries early in his career, and just who is Brady Breeze? The Lions need depth here, but they also need another versatile defensive back who can step up, cover, tackle, and give this defense more flexibility when needed.
Rock’s Fits:
I expect the Lions to address safety later in the draft on day two. If they decide to address the position early, Brian Branch is the player that makes the most sense to me. The question is how can they pull that off without a pick between No. 18 and #48? At pick #48 Branch is gone, and at #18, the Lions would be reaching, but does Brad Holmes care more about value or the right player?
Branch gives the Lions a versatile defensive back who can play multiple spots, and that matters when you look at how many moving pieces Detroit has in the secondary. He can help in the slot, support the run, and give the Lions another smart coverage player around Kerby Joseph. If the Lions are trying to build a defensive back room with more answers, Branch fits that conversation. Branch plays with confidence through intelligence. He always appears in the right spot at the right time and he HITS.
According to PFF, Branch played 624 snaps in 2021 and finished the year allowing 37 receptions on 382 coverage snaps. This past season was his best, producing an 89.5 overall efficiency grade while allowing 36 receptions on 416 coverage snaps.
Another solid option I could see the Lions spring for later on day two is Sydney Brown. Brown has previous experience playing alongside Kerby Joseph at Illinois, and Holmes prefers to add value where he can find it. Finding a complementary player with continuity inside the defensive back room is as good as it gets from an added value perspective.
I would expect the day-two options mentioned above — Brown and Branch — to likely be gone before the Lions pick at #48 or #55. Which means the Lions need to find a trade partner or wait till another round to address the position.
This is where Antonio Johnson enters the chat as a high-value target early on day three. The Lions can address a glaring future need by selecting a versatile and flexible option like Antonio Johnson. He has size, strength, speed, and experience at nickel/slot and both safety spots. He would fit what many teams are looking for in today’s NFL sized safeties. Johnson gives Detroit the type of big, versatile defensive back NFL teams covet most — He is not just a box safety, and he is not just a nickel defender, he is a matchup problem. Johnson can cover tight ends, work near the line of scrimmage, rotate into deeper coverage looks, and give the Lions more flexibility.
Holmes does seem to find gems in the fourth round, but instant-impact players are most often not the case past round two. If the Lions want a safety who can help right away and grow with Kerby Joseph, they will have to be aggressive. Branch is the cleanest fit, Brown brings the Illinois continuity, but Johnson may be the best value swing if Detroit wants size, versatility, and a defensive back who can wear multiple hats in Aaron Glenn’s secondary.
My Choice: Branch is an instant-impact player and the clear choice for me. There’s just one issue, I cannot see where Branch slides to the Lions at #48 and I can’t imagine he is on the radar at #18. I would not be surprised if the Lions make a trade here. Then again, there are a few options left with Sydney Brown or Antonio Johnson a bit later in the draft.
Linebacker
The Lions had a rough season at linebacker in 2022, and statistically speaking, the group was among the lowest-rated units in the league. Malcolm Rodriguez was the lone bright spot, grading out as Detroit’s best overall linebacker as a rookie, but one strong rookie season does not erase the bigger issue — this room still needs better coverage, more speed, better depth, and more playmakers.
Alex Anzalone is the MIKE, while Rodriguez is currently holding down the WILL position. Rodriguez can play inside, but his best value right now is playing downhill as the weakside linebacker thumping the run. He played well during his rookie campaign and quickly became one of Kevin Sheppard’s favorites, which was evident during the Hard Knocks series.
The real question is at SAM. James Houston and Derrick Barnes will be jockeying for the starting role. Houston brings the speed and rush upside on 3rd downs, while Barnes gives Detroit a bigger body with more traditional linebacker traits against the run. Behind them, Anthony Pittman is a depth and special teams option, not a player the Lions should want starting full-time.
That leaves Detroit with a clear draft question: do they add a true WILL linebacker who can push Rodriguez and give the defense more range, or do they add a hybrid SAM/edge player who gives Aaron Glenn another pass-rush and coverage weapon? Either way, this is about finding a linebacker who can raise the ceiling of the entire defense.
Rock’s Fits:
I do not have a first-round grade on many linebackers in this draft, partly because several of the best names may be asked to change roles at the next level. That does not mean a linebacker will not be selected in the first round, just means that other positions have higher grades. As Brad Holmes has stated in many pressers, he prefers to take players who fit the team’s culture, identity, and scheme — not just the perceived value or need on the board, I agree.
Holmes wants to get better and upgrade his team, no matter where he is selecting. If that player checks the boxes they have identified, Holmes has shown he will take his guy. I view the best value and opportunity to find an impact linebacker from late in the first round through the middle of the second round. That is where I expect the Lions to add a playmaker should they target one early.
As the draft gets closer to pick No. 18, my favorite options at OLB/edge is Nolan Smith. He is listed as an edge defender, but he played a similar hybrid outside linebacker role at Georgia. Smith is a proven winner with back-to-back national championships, and his role was instrumental in both seasons.
Smith absolutely crushed the combine, and after watching his film and interviews, he appears to be a genuine, humble, and hardworking football player. He fits the culture to a T, and his ability in space is special. The intangibles jump off the chart.
Smith can attack the edge with speed and has the flexibility to dip low and get under the tackle’s reach. His burst gives him the ability to play edge or outside linebacker in the right scheme, and Detroit could be one of those fits. He has coverage ability, pass-rush upside, and enough movement skills to keep an offense guessing.
The only question I have is whether the Lions would take a player at pick No. 18 who may fit more as an edge/OLB hybrid than a true off-ball linebacker. Smith is one of the best athletes in this class, and he fits the culture, but his role has to be clearly defined if Detroit is spending a first-round pick on him.
Early on day two, Jack Campbell is my overall No. 1 linebacker for the Lions in this draft. When it comes to the scheme fit, roster fit, need, and culture. I keep coming up with Jack Campbell. Iowa does a few things very well, one is tight ends, another is offensive line and the other is edge/linebackers. The problem is I do not see many clean paths for Detroit to land him unless he slides. If teams value Campbell the way I do, he has the ability to become one of the best linebackers in the league in a short window of time. I do not expect his name to stay on the board long after the Lions pick at No. 18.
That puts Detroit in a tough spot to avoid the proverbial reach pick. Unless there is movement with the Lions’ draft slots at pick No. 6 or pick No. 18, the next logical option would be moving up from No. 48 into the back end of the first round or early second round. Without a trade, the Lions may be forced to take Campbell earlier than expected, with the likely option being at #18.
Drew Sanders, I feel the Lions could land Sanders right around pick #48. His background makes him one of the more interesting linebacker fits in this class. Sanders started his college career as an edge rusher at Alabama before transferring to Arkansas and moving to off-ball linebacker. That experience shows up in his game, as his range, length, and blitzing ability racked up 11 sacks and 39 total pressures in 2022.
Sanders is not as clean of a projection as Campbell, but the upside is real. He gives Detroit more pass-rush ability from the second level, more speed in space, and another player Aaron Glenn could move around depending on package and matchup. If Campbell is gone and the Lions still want a linebacker with playmaking traits, Sanders makes a lot of sense.
Noah Sewell, I mean come one now, who doesn’t like the idea of adding another Sewell to the team? I do, but I am just not as high on Noah Sewell as a premium linebacker target as I am the other two. He could potentially be a solid backup for the Lions initially while rounding out the depth chart. He does possess a mix of pass-rushing skills, and much like his brother, he is as tough and physical as they come. I would expect him to be considered around the fifth-round. Sewell feels more like a depth and culture add than an instant defensive upgrade, but late in the draft, that type of player still has value.
My Choice: Jack Campbell is my No. 1 here and it’s not particularly close. Jack is a perfect fit for this team. He is one of the smartest players in this class — his instincts have instincts.
Defensive Line | Edge
The Lions’ edge position is deep enough on paper that adding another player early may be more of a luxury than a need. Detroit already has several defensive ends or defensive line/end/hybrid options signed. Including Charles Harris, Romeo Okwara, Josh Paschal, Aidan Hutchinson, Julian Okwara, Levi Onwuzurike, and John Cominsky. That does not mean the Lions are set, but it does mean Brad Holmes has to weigh whether an early edge pick truly upgrades the roster or simply adds another body to a crowded group.
The Lions primarily create pressure through the SAM linebacker and defensive end positions, which makes role fit important here. Romeo Okwara could become a cap-casualty conversation, and Julian Okwara has not fully locked down a long-term role. Levi Onwuzurike is an inside-out defensive line option more than a true edge, and his back injury uncertainty still matters because it affects how much flexibility Detroit really has up front.
The edge class is deep enough that the Lions could look to the second or third round to add an upgrade over the bottom tier of the room. Adding another top-flight talent opposite Aidan Hutchinson is never a bad idea, but it may not fit the roster-build plan at this time unless the player brings a clear flex role. That is where Detroit could target a high-upside piece who can rush, move around the front, and give Aaron Glenn more options without forcing the pick too early.
For that reason, edge may not make sense until day two or three, but there are playmakers in this draft who are not on the radar for many teams right now. This feels like a spot where the Lions could shuffle the roster, filter out the bottom tier, and bet on upside instead of forcing a premium pick at a position where they already have numbers.
Rock’s Fits:
I don’t see the Lions moving up here; the cost is astronomical, even to move up a few spots. Should Will Anderson somehow slip to pick No. 6, there is a real possibility Detroit selects its next game-changer on the edge.
Since the Anderson scenario is highly unlikely, it makes a trade back much more inviting for the Lions, followed by adding defensive edge help later in the draft. However, that second first-round pick at No. 18 does provide a couple of targets that really stick out: Myles Murphy and Will McDonald.
Is Myles Murphy is too freakishly gifted to pass up? He racked up 76 pressures over the last two seasons at Clemson. He is raw and would require a better set of tools to improve his win rate at the next level, but his range, size, and speed allow for flexibility to play inside and out. The main issue here is the floor versus ceiling conversation. I see the first-round traits, but I also see a developmental pass rusher profile — and that is not a spot where I would want to spend premium draft capital if I were Brad Holmes.
Will McDonald is one of my favorite players in the draft. He has been mostly mocked into the day-two range, but there is a real possibility he goes much earlier. Slotted as an edge rusher, McDonald lined up in multiple positions along the defensive line during his career at Iowa State, his flexibility brings a level of versatility that should help him at the next level.
This is a can’t-miss prospect for me, and I don’t know how more people are not talking about him. He may become one of the biggest steals of this draft if he goes into the second day. In my opinion, he is slipping if he is selected anywhere past the 32nd pick. McDonald brings real arm length at 34 7/8 inches, and his agility testing backs up what shows on the field.
I could see McDonald moving to outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme at the next level, but he is scheme versatile. McDonald is a bit undersized at roughly 240 pounds to consistently operate on the line of scrimmage in a 4-3, but I would not rule anything out with his ability to get pressure and win in space — two of his best attributes. Through three seasons, he racked up 127 pressures and 35 sacks.
Brad Holmes is a huge fan of flex options, and I would not expect the Lions to pass up on McDonald should he be there at pick No. 18. Detroit does not pick again until the middle of the second round at No. 48, which means many of the best options for instant upgrades could be gone.
A couple more options make sense for me later in the draft, starting with Byron Young. What makes Young exciting is that he can win as a designated pass rusher, chase from the backside, stress tackles with speed, and give a defense another athletic piece in obvious passing situations. If he adds more counters and gets stronger setting the edge, Young has the upside to become one of those second- or third-round rushers teams regret passing on. Young measured around 6-foot-2, 250 pounds and ran a 4.43-second 40-yard dash, which matches the speed-rush profile.
Lastly, Adetomiwa Adebawore is one of the most freakishly gifted athletes in NFL Combine history. His 4.49-second 40-yard dash is rare for a player over 280 pounds, and that kind of explosiveness is worth a day-three swing. He gets his hands up quickly against the run, plays with strength and physicality at the point of attack, and uses his upper-body strength to reset the line of scrimmage. He would give Detroit another defensive-front flex option with rare athletic traits, and if the Lions want to add upside without forcing edge at No. 18, he becomes one of the more interesting day-three swings on the board.
My Choice: Will McDonald with the second pick in round one #18 overall, and I wouldn’t bat an eye at that choice. My second option would be Byron Young later in round two. I just don’t see the Lions taking an edge early in this draft when they have so many other spots to fill and clear needs Brad Holmes should focus on — even though he drafts “BPA.”
Rock’s Take
At the end of the day, this defensive draft class gives the Lions multiple paths, but the board has to be handled with discipline. I’m passing on Jalen Carter, I’m not forcing edge just because the name is there, and I’m not drafting hype over fit. If Detroit wants this defense to take a real step in 2023, the priority should be simple: control the run, add coverage answers, create pressure without losing flexibility, and find players who fit the Lions’ culture and defensive identity.
Will Rock is an independent journalist covering the NFL for the Detroit Football Journal. Contact him at Mailbag@Rockedon.Com, join the chat or Follow him on X - don’t forget to catch the live Rise & Grind Morning Show Monday-Friday starting at 8am on Rocked On Detroit Lions YouTube channel.
Thank you for reading and please send it to a friend! ~ ~ Will Rock
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