ESPN analyst sees Lions picking defense over QB in draft
Jared Goff’s career revival has minimized the Detroit Lions’ need to spend a premium 2023 draft pick on a quarterback, and ESPN analyst Bill Barnwell believes the team is primed to take the presumed consensus top defensive player in the draft.
“The Lions are probably a season away from making a meaningful decision about whether they want to be in the Goff business for another long-term contract,” Barnwell said. “This top-five pick will likely be their clearest path toward landing a franchise quarterback on a rookie deal.
“…With four defensive linemen in the top 12 on Mel Kiper Jr.'s Big Board, I would suspect the Lions go back there if they don't draft a quarterback. An edge-rushing duo of Will Anderson Jr. and (Aidan) Hutchinson might be enough to kick the Detroit defense into gear."
Detroit ranks 16th in tackles for loss (64) and 22nd in sacks (30).
Anderson, a two-time Nagurski award winner and unanimous All-American, would seemingly present an upgrade along the defensive line next to Hutchinson, the No. 2 overall pick in 2022.
Tied for the eighth-most sacks in the NCAA (10), Anderson totaled 34.5 sacks and 62 tackles for loss over the last three seasons — both are second-most in Alabama history behind Derrick Thomas.
The Lions rank 31st in total defense, but they appear to have hit a home run on three of their 2021 defensive draft picks — Hutchinson, Kerby Joseph and Malcolm Rodriguez.
A fourth — linebacker James Houston — has also come on strong down the stretch.
Hutchinson (seven) and Houston (five) rank first and second among rookie sack leaders, while Rodriguez is Detroit’s third-leading tackler (74).
He’s also tied with Hutchinson for the most tackles for loss on the team (seven). The trio rank fifth, 24th, and 22nd, respectively, in NFL.com’s rookie power rankings.
Joseph is fourth on the team in passes defensed (five) and fifth in tackles (65). He also leads the Lions with three interceptions and two forced fumbles.
Adding Anderson would allow the Lions to build around five solid defensive standouts all under the age of 24.
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