Daniel Jeremiah loves fit for Detroit Lions and polarizing quarterback prospect

In his second mock draft of the new year, NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah loves the fit for the Detroit Lions with one of the top, most polarizing, quarterback prospects.

It’s mock draft season in full, as the NFL Combine looms next week. The Detroit Lions are in as good a postion as any team, with four of the top-60 picks in April’s draft, two of the top-20 picks and multiple feasible combinations they could go with.

The second 2023 mock draft from NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah was released on Tuesday. His picks for the Lions are.

A No. 6, Jeremiah has the Lions taking Clemson defensive end Myles Murphy.

"Aidan Hutchinson was a home run pick last year, and fellow rookie James Houston IV was very productive in limited playing time. Murphy would give the Lions three outstanding young edge rushers."

The Lions could go with a cornerback at sixth overall, or take the proverbial “best (defensive) player available” there. Until we know how said player turns out, there’s not really a wrong way to go.

Daniel Jeremiah loves fit for Lions and Anthony Richardson

Jeremiah has the Lions taking Florida quarterback Anthony Richardon at pick. And the former scout is enthusiatic about the fit.

"The Lions have the perfect situation for Richardson as he enters the league. He can sit behind Jared Goff for at least a year and then provide the rewards that come from building a team around a quarterback playing on his rookie contract."

Jeremiah tweeted about Richardson and the Lions to further convey how much he loves the fit.

"Anthony Richardson has the most upside of any QB in this draft. I love the fit in Detroit. No rush to get him on the field. Goff can hold it down until he’s ready. The payoff could be HUGE"

Ideally, Richardson will not be forced to start right away (if at all) as a rookie. He is very raw and has work to do to become a polished passer. But his athletic tools are intriguing, and that’s a fine place start in terms of something to work with. Many draft analysts see the upside, but there’s certainly risk that can’t be ignored.

The Lions need to take a shot at a quarterback with upside at some point soon. Jared Goff has a definite ceiling, and we may have just seen the best he’ll be from here on out during the 2022 season.

As further steps in the pre-draft evaluation process come, Richardson is someone who should broadly be on the Lions’ radar as that “upside” quarterback.