Lions sneak away with a top-10 steal in ESPN's latest mock draft
The Detroit Lions have made a concerted effort to upgrade its defense through the first week in free agency. In particular, the Lions have concentrated on bolstering its secondary. While the backend of the defense looks much better on paper, Detroit still has work to do in the defensive trenches. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. believes […]
The Detroit Lions have made a concerted effort to upgrade its defense through the first week in free agency. In particular, the Lions have concentrated on bolstering its secondary.
While the backend of the defense looks much better on paper, Detroit still has work to do in the defensive trenches. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. believes that is an area the Lions will address with its No. 6 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Kiper’s latest mock draft includes the Lions selecting DT Jalen Carter out of the University of Georgia.
"Detroit added veteran corners Cameron Sutton and Emmanuel Moseley and versatile defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson in free agency, which likely signals it's going to pass on the top corners with this pick. But did you watch this defense last season? It ranked bottom of the league in most statistical categories, including yards per play allowed (6.2). The Lions have to keep trying to fix it.
The easiest way to do that? Take Carter, who has had a troubled few months. Last week, he pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges of reckless driving and racing for his alleged role in a Jan. 15 car wreck that killed Georgia offensive lineman Devin Willock and recruiting staffer Chandler LeCroy. He also showed up at his pro day nine pounds heavier than he was at the NFL combine, and he was unable to finish the position drills. He's no longer in the mix to be the No. 1 overall pick. Everything I've heard from people in the league, however, is he won't drop too far — he likely still will be a top-10 selection. Carter's talent is undeniable, and I could see a team such as the Lions taking him here, filling a position of need.
Detroit, which also owns the No. 18 overall selection, drafted Aidan Hutchinson at No. 2 overall last year and got 9.5 sacks out of him. Carter would be a nice complement to Hutchinson's skill set."
Carter is probably the most polarizing prospect in the draft. He was arguably the most dominant player in college football in 2022, but his off the field issues raise a few red flags.
That being said, if Carter slips to the Lions with the sixth overall pick, Detroit would be in position to draft the biggest steal of the first round.
Of course head coach Dan Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes would have to ensure that Carter’s off the field problems are a thing of the past, but he would absolutely satisfy a major need on the defensive line.
