This is just my personal take on what I would do. I detach this one from the trend-based ones that measure specific molds. This is strictly players I like and think would fit nicely.
Round 1
Using the PFF Mock Draft Simulator here, all seven-rounds. And shoot, Will Anderson is off the board, going to the Cardinals with the third overall selection. Thus, we’re open to hitting the trade phones. We find a suitor! The Philadelphia Eagles want to move on up (later revealed to be for Jalen Carter). We swing a deal to slide from 1.06 down to 1.10, with the details as follows:
Lions send: 1.06, 2.48
Eagles send: 1.10, 1.30, 3.94, 2023 fourth-round pick
And now, the slight tragedy befalls us, as the Falcons take Oregon CB Christian Gonzalez away from me at 1.08. As some may know, I am one of the few Lions fans with Gonzalez rated higher than Witherspoon, and find the concern about his more laid back personality to be a bit ridiculous. However, he is off the board here outright, and so I go ahead and do what many want to do, which is to add Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon with the tenth overall pick in the NFL Draft.
Now, after a couple of picks have passed, we’re on the clock with the 18th pick, and none of the trade back options are overly enticing, with the Vikings at 23rd being the next closest. But that could put me out of range for my preferred group of prospects. Here I am going to double down on the defensive line in Brad Holmes fashion, grabbing Clemson DT Bryan Bresee. I am still a huge fan of Breese, and his explosiveness on the inside is worth taking the gamble pick on.
Now, I also have the Eagles late first-round pick, 1.30, at my disposal, and so the call there was quite easy with who all was on the board: Arkansas linebacker Drew Sanders, a dynamic and versatile linebacker with significant third-down value due to his pass rushing prowess off the edge. He’s a first-round grade in my book, so I am not passing him up here.
Rounds 2 & 3
With the picks proceeding along cautiously, I start getting a tad bit nervous that my next top target will not slide to me at #55, as I traded #48 away when moving down with Philadelphia (transitioning it into a first). Thus, I struck a deal with the Patriots, as follows:
Lions send: 2.55 (via MIN), 3.94 (via PHI)
Patriots send: 2.46, 4.135
So all in all, swapping the extra late-third I picked up for a late-fourth. And ta-da! TCU guard Steve Avila was now a Detroit Lion. I am a big fan of both Avila and NC State’s Chandler Zavala as potential guards for the Lions, as they’re going to need to restock that position group.
Now, with a good chunk of picks between our pick at 55 and our third-rounder at 81, we sat back and waited patiently. This pick was the first one that really generated much debate personally. I considered a couple of wide receivers and pass rushers, but ultimately had to stick to my board, as the #43 ranked player was just sitting there waiting to be added. Tulane running back Tyjae Spears, you are a Detroit Lion! For those unfamiliar with his game, Spears is a 5-10, 200 pound back with elite speed, acceleration, vision, balance, and third-down ability. He’s a tough runner, but his size is a bit lackluster, and thus he doesn’t end up generating much force. As a complimentary back to David Montgomery, Spears is an elite 2 in that 1-2 punch.
Round 4-7
We came on the clock at pick #135 via New England. It’s the final compensatory pick in the fourth-round, and the options were interesting. There was not much available in the way of wide receiver help, nor anyone terribly significant as a defensive standout. Thus, it’s never a bad idea to continue feeding talented players into your offensive line, and so we went with Old Dominion offensive tackle Nick Saldiveri. The 6-6, 320 pounds small school prospect had a quality week at the Senior Bowl, and as an experienced tackle for the Monarchs, he projects as an immediate upgrade at OT3 for Detroit. However, he does have the bend and play strength to kick inside to guard if needed, giving us potential replacements at both the LG (Avila) and RG (Salvideri) spots in case the Lions let all three of Jonah Jackson, Hal Vaitai, and Graham Glasgow walk. Besides, a swing tackle is helpful nonetheless, as Taylor Decker has only played a full slate of games in just four of his seven seasons in Detroit.
We were back up just a short while later, pick #152, a fifth-rounder. This one was quite easy, as Houston quarterback Clayton Tune seems like a perfect fit for a long-term backup quarterback on a contender. He’s experienced and decisive as a passer, with some quality athleticism to scramble, but lacking a top tier arm.
At #159, the Cowboys wanted to trade up, and we happily obliged them, taking the following deal:
Lions send: 5.159 (via JAX)
Cowboys send: 5.169, 7.244, and a 2024 seventh-round pick
Always helpful to stockpile additional late-round picks in future years, as these can easily be used to flip for veterans at the deadline or prior to cutdown day.
Now on the clock with the Cowboys compensatory pick here, it was about time to add some help at tight end. The pick here is Wake Forest tight end Blake Whiteheart, a personal favorite of mine due to his competitive demeanor as a blocker, and smooth ability as a route runner with soft hands. He’s a quality fit in the Lions system of interchangeable contributors at the position.
Next up, an original Lions pick at 6.183, I decided to finally add a wide receiver as well, and we all know how much I love North Carolina wide receiver Antoine Green as a developmental deep threat. An ideal fit for the Lions who produced big time in Chapel Hill last year. He’s got speed and good hands, and tracks the ball like a pro.
We also decided to add a kicker, something I am quite okay with for the Lions on Day 3, and despite a love for NC State K Christopher Dunn, I do think Michigan kicker Jake Moody is the best one in the draft. He’s the best blend of consistency and power across multiple seasons, which I think matters a good deal.
And then one more pick, possessing #244 via the Cowboys trade. I wanted to add a safety, and probably the most intriguing one is Tennessee safety Trevon Flowers. He’s not a great tackler, but is versatile as a split-scheme safety option, with good anticipation on the back end and in man coverage. That constitutes our final selection in this class.
RESULTS
And a 2024 fourth-round pick via Philadelphia to replace the one the Lions are sending to the Vikings next year.
Overall, a few impact players right away, especially with the first top-five picks. Whether outright starters or not, all five of those guys have the capacity to step in and play significant roles early, and then especially in 2024. Great class in my opinion, but hey, I am biased.