Lions should turn to local draft prospect to answer glaring problem
The Detroit Lions have numerous positions they need to address in the 2023 NFL Draft. That being said, there is one unique draft prospect that could force the Lions to go off script to fix a major issue from the 2022 season. "Kickers, man." Those are words Lions fans uttered on countless occasions in 2022. […]
The Detroit Lions have numerous positions they need to address in the 2023 NFL Draft. That being said, there is one unique draft prospect that could force the Lions to go off script to fix a major issue from the 2022 season.
"Kickers, man."
Those are words Lions fans uttered on countless occasions in 2022. The Lions shuffled through three different kickers last season, which could lead GM Brad Holmes to turn to the draft in order to find stability at the most volatile position in football.
It just so happens that one of the best kickers in this draft class is in Detroit’s backyard. Michigan K Jake Moody is considered by many draft experts to be as NFL ready as college kickers come.
Moody made 82.1 percent of his field goals during his career at Michigan. His career-long came from 59 yards out against TCU in the College Football Playoff.
He won the Lou Groza award in 2021, which is given to the best collegiate kicker. A highly decorated college kicker, Moody also has ties to the Lions.
At the NFL Scouting Combine, Moody expressed his interest to play for the hometown Lions.
“I’d love to play anywhere, but it’d be nice to stay home and play for my team that I grew up rooting for,” Moody said. “That would be pretty cool.”
The Lions have eight draft picks to address a variety of team needs. Perhaps once the team bolsters its areas of weakness, the Lions might opt to use one of its final three picks on Moody.
Lions Draft Picks:
- Round 1, Pick 6 overall (from LAR)
- Round 1, Pick 18 overall
- Round 2, Pick 48 overall
- Round 2, Pick 55 overall (from MIN)
- Round 3, Pick 81 overall
- Round 5, Pick 152 overall
- Round 6, Pick 183 overall (from DEN)
- Round 6, Pick 194 overall
Drafting a kicker is cost-effective solution to a problem many teams go years without solving. The Lions have an opportunity to find a long-term answer at the kicker position with a top prospect who happens to have ties to the Motor City.
If Holmes and the Lions feel good about their draft entering Day 3, it would not be surprising to see the team take a chance on one of the most complete kickers in this class.
