The Detroit Lions were able to make it through the 2023 NFL Draft addressing numerous starting roles and important holes on both sides of the ball. These selections are going to help plenty as the Lions look to make a deep playoff push for the first time in decades, but there is still one position that feels a little light for a team with such expectations.

It is not news to anyone that the Lions' defense was downright terrible in 2022. Had it not been for that unit, Detroit could've put together a nice playoff run in a weak NFC, but here we are.

To help remedy this situation, Detroit went in on the secondary in free agency and the draft and then found a starting linebacker in the draft as well. That just leaves one(ish) spot for the Lions to focus on between now and the start of the season.

Discussions of specific positions gets hazy on the defensive side of the ball, especially on a team like the Lions where you have true DL (defensive line) and DB (defensive back) designations for players that go all over the field. Plus, the Lions also have linebackers that rush the passer as well as edges and defensive ends. 

Regardless of the title Detroit wants to give the players, Detroit still needs help on the defensive line. Whether they want to go after an end to put pressure on the quarterback or a lineman to help stop the run, the Lions need one more veteran face in this area to really put this team over the top as a contender in 2023.

Two veterans via trade or free agency would be great, but at least one for one position or the other feels like a need for now. Will Anderson and Jalen Carter were both long shots to make this roster for various reasons, but that doesn't mean the positions don't need to get upgraded now just because the draft has ended and dominant players aren't on the board.

The Lions still have a lot of options available that would help fill these holes quickly, and it seems like they will need to act sooner rather than later if they are going to make winning their sole priority in 2023.