We’re simply days away now from the 2023 NFL Draft, and there are nonetheless loads of unknowns. And whereas groups just like the Houston Texans and Arizona Cardinals have left loads of folks scratching their heads at what is going to occur on the high of the draft, it’s the Detroit Lions who could maintain the important thing to every thing. With the sixth total choose and a bevy of draft capital past that, the Lions are one of many sneaky groups who may management how the highest 10—and past—performs out.
Let me clarify.
No urgent wants
It’s not usually you could have a group choosing within the high 10 that has no urgent wants, however because of the Matthew Stafford commerce two years in the past, that’s the place the Lions discover themselves. They’re removed from an ideal group, however with nothing that must be instantly stuffed, that makes Detroit each wildly unpredictable and open to do absolutely anything. Don’t simply take my phrase for it, right here’s Lions common supervisor Brad Holmes.
“I do like the truth that we will just about go any course we wish, and we will really feel fairly good about it, simply get the best soccer participant for us.”
With no urgent wants, that leaves the Lions open to taking just about any place. Defensive finish? Positive. Cornerback? Why not. Quarterback? Properly, I’ll get to that…
Tons of draft capital
That above quote from Holmes suggests the Lions are succesful and keen to maneuver within the draft, and that might very effectively embody buying and selling into the highest three within the draft. With the quantity of draft capital they’ve—4 picks within the high 55, together with the sixth and 18th total choose—they’ve greater than sufficient capital to commerce up.
It’s maybe no coincidence, too, that the Lions have had top-30 visits with three prospects who’re repeatedly projected to go within the high 5: Georgia defensive sort out Jalen Carter, Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud, and Alabama edge defender Will Anderson.
We additionally know that Holmes has no worry in transferring aggressively to get his man. Final yr, the Lions traded up from 32 to 12 to get Jameson Williams, and the yr earlier than that Holmes almost made a play into the highest 5 for Ja’Marr Chase.
Per PFF, the Lions have the third-most capital on this yr’s draft—9 picks whole—and with little urgent wants on their roster, it’s a secure assumption that they’ll package deal a few of these picks to maneuver up sooner or later this weekend.
Good alternative to take QB of the longer term?
The Lions usually are not a group which were related to a quarterback in lots of mock drafts this offseason and for comprehensible causes. Jared Goff remains to be underneath contract for 2 extra seasons, and he’s coming off a season during which he made the Professional Bowl and helped lead the No. 5 scoring offense within the league.
However as a result of the Lions are in such a snug place with their roster, they will afford to take a swing on a quarterback. Very similar to the Chiefs with Alex Smith and the 49ers with Jimmy Garoppolo, the Lions discover themselves doubtlessly in quarterback purgatory. They’ve quarterback who is true on the borderline of Tremendous Bowl succesful—but when the chance arises, it could be value it to swing for that elite game-changer.
It labored for the Chiefs, not a lot for the 49ers—however each groups stay tremendous aggressive since taking this opportunity. As a result of Detroit is a group on the rise, don’t count on to see them choosing within the top-six once more anytime quickly. So this may very well be the final time Detroit has a shot at a high quarterback prospect with out having to fully mortgage their future to get him.
Moreover, if a participant like C.J. Stroud, Will Levis, or Anthony Richardson is there with the sixth choose, the Lions could be in an excellent place to take a seat him on the bench for a yr, get him in control, after which make a altering of the guard at quarterback earlier than having at hand a very costly contract to Goff.
The Lions have accomplished job holding their quarterback intentions secret. Take this quote from coach Dan Campbell on the NFL Mix, which playfully teases each side of the argument.
“We imagine we will win with Jared Goff,” Campbell mentioned. “And within the meantime, we additionally know he’s not going to be right here for the subsequent 10 years. It’s not like Jared Goff is a rookie. So definitely our eyes are on doubtlessly a quarterback.”
So don’t be shocked on Thursday night time if the Lions brand spontaneously seems in your tv once they’re not scheduled to be on the clock. They’re a group with a ton of capital, an unpredictable common supervisor, and simply sufficient of a necessity at quarterback to doubtlessly throw your entire draft day predictions within the rubbish.
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