Way-too-early Detroit Lions 2023 NFL Draft preview

The 2023 NFL Draft is April 27-29 in Kansas City. Here is the projected first-round order, per Tankathon.

2022 record: 9-8 | First-round picks: No. 6, 18 | Team needs: CB, DT, TE, DE, LB

Snapshot: Offensively, the Lions appear to be set everywhere except tight end. Although Detroit spent six of its eight 2022 draft picks on defense, it would be wise to adopt a similar strategy to bolster a unit that allowed the most yards per game (392.4) and third-most points per game (25.1) in 2022.

Potential first-round picks: Will Anderson, DE, Alabama; Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia; Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia; Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina; Myles Murphy, DE, Clemson; Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson; Nolan Smith, DE, Georgia; Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame

For the Lions to make the playoffs in 2023, they will need a more stout defensive line. Detroit's pass rush, which ranked 18th in sacks, would have been awful without Aidan Hutchinson (9.5) and James Houston (8), who ranked first and second, respectively, among rookies in sacks.

Fortunately for the Lions, three of the five teams ahead of them could be targeting a quarterback, leaving a solid chance that either Will Anderson, Jalen Carter or Myles Murphy could be available at No. 6. All three would be home run selections.

With the 18th pick, Detroit could shore up its secondary by taking whoever is its top-rated defensive back. The Lions allowed the third-most passing yards (4,179) and eighth-most touchdown passes (26), so nabbing a top-ranked cornerback makes the most sense.

If Detroit is unimpressed with the available cornerbacks, Mayer could be a wild card. 

Among tight ends, the Notre Dame star led the NCAA in targets (101), touchdowns (nine) and contested catches (17), and he ranked second in receptions (67), third in yards (809) and fifth in yards per reception (12.1). 

Pro Football Focus compares Mayer to Jason Witten, the former Dallas Cowboys star.