Final Detroit Lions 2023 7-Round Mock Draft

We are a day away from the NFL draft kicking off, and it is still a mystery what the Lions could do in this draft. In this seven-round mock draft, we are drafting against 31 other users controlling the other teams over on Walk the Mock. This mock draft was run by Broshmo, so if you want to check out the full stream and his channel click here. Without further ado let’s get into this seven-round mock draft.

6. Detroit Lions (Via. LAR)- Jalen Carter, Defensive Tackle Georgia

The Lions’ biggest need is by far a defensive tackle that can dominate in both run defense and pass rush and Jalen Carter excels at both of those. Before the off-season question marks, Carter was talked about as the best prospect in this class right next to Will Anderson Jr. and if he can get passed those question marks he would be an absolute steal here. Brad Holmes has been known to take risks on players and so far it has worked out tremendously, this pick is one of the best scenarios for Detroit.

18. Detroit Lions- Brian Branch, Defensive Back Alabama

Cornerback has been a need for Detroit since the beginning of the off-season due to how many players are in the last year of their deal and especially now that they traded Okudah. Branch is an extremely versatile player that can play both safety and slot corner and excel at both. Detroit doesn’t know if they will be bringing back Emmanuel Moseley or C.J. Gardner-Johnson after the season and Branch could fill in either of their roles greatly if they aren’t brought back

48. Detroit Lions- Daiyan Henley, Linebacker Washington St. 

Henley is an excellent athlete and efficient tackler out of Washington St. which is something the Lions missed this pasts season. While sometimes it showed up, tackling wasn’t consistent with Detroit last year, and adding a player like Henley to improve on that just makes too much sense. Henley missed very few tackles last year and as a converted receiver, has the speed to track anyone down to stop a big play.

55. Detroit Lions (Via. MIN)- Hendon Hooker, Quarterback Tennessee

This is more of a luxury pick for Detroit, as QB isn’t a huge need for them. Even though Goff has shown he can bring the Lions somewhere there are still some questions surrounding if his success is sustainable. Detroit makes this pick hoping Hooker can develop tremendously behind Goff for a year or two and become even better than Goff and on a rookie contract. If Detroit doesn’t hit on him as they would hope here, it will hardly set them back and he will be a good backup.

81. Traded To The Arizona Cardinals For DeAndre Hopkins

Some may not like this trade due to his age and the money he takes up, but the value was there and it was too hard to pass up. The Lions just lost D.J. Chark and Hopkins gives them that big body threat back that they lost with Chark. This move also takes away the need to draft a receiver who we are uncertain of and gives Detroit an established talent.

152. Detroit Lions- Mike Morris, Defensive Lineman Michigan

Morris did not have a great off-season draft process as his stock tanked from a second-rounder all the way into the fifth round. If you look at his tape though, Morris has the potential to be a starting pass rusher in this league whether it’s on the interior of the defensive line or on the edge. Even if he doesn’t hit that potential, he can be a solid rotational pass rusher fairly consistently.

159. Detroit Lions (Via. ATL)- Viliami Fehoko, EDGE San Jose State

At this point in the draft, you are looking for high-upside guys that can fill a role if needed, and you can never have too many EDGE Rushers. Fehoko is likely just a bench guy who may come on the field for certain downs but can potentially be a guy you see 25% of defensive snaps when players are tired or injured and he can make an impact in those snaps.

183. Detroit Lions (Via. DEN)- Juice Scruggs, Guard Penn State.

Interior Offensive line depth is a big need for Detroit and Scruggs has the upside to be a good backup in case of another terrible stretch of injuries in the position. Last year Detroit relied on Logan Stenberg to hold the interior of the line and he showed them why they don’t want that to be the case, so hopefully Scruggs can hit his ceiling and be a better option than that.

194. Detroit Lions- Chase Brown, Running Back Illinois

How he made it this far down the board is beyond me, but the fact that he did I had to scoop him up. Brown screams upside and production, with some luck he could be this year’s Isiah Pacheco if Swift ends up getting hurt again.