5 ways the Detroit Lions can get an extra top-10 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft

Trade #5

Detroit Receives: Pick No. 7 

Las Vegas Receives: Pick No. 18, 55, 2024 second-round pick, 2025 third-round pick

In this deal, the Lions ship out their second first-round pick, their second second-round pick, a future second and a future third-round pick to move all the way up to No. 7. This move is made by the Raiders if they are able to sign or trade for a veteran quarterback and would like to trade back and accumulate draft picks. This trade then puts the Lions on the board for two picks in a row at 6 and 7. They would have an opportunity to add premier talent with back-to-back selections and be able to protect themselves a bit from a trade up.

If the Lions go this route, here is who they could potentially draft with those selections:

Pick #6: Oregon CB Christian Gonzalez

Pick #7: Florida QB Anthony Richardson

Gonzalez is one of the most polarizing players in the draft. He’s mocked as high as 6 and as low as 20. But he has all the physical traits that you would want in a cornerback. He broke out onto the scene this past season at Oregon with four interceptions and six pass breakups. This may be a little high to take him but with giving up pick No. 18, they need to reach a little to secure a player that would undoubtedly help in the now and in the future.

At pick 7, the team then takes the most polarizing player in the draft in Richardson. Count me as a massive Richardson skeptic. Richardson is the most hyped prospect without having the matching production in recent memory. He tallied 17 touchdowns and 9 interceptions while completing just 53.8 percent of his passes this past season. The hype surrounding him is based on the physical traits that he possesses. He has premier arm strength and mobility, all while throwing to a horrible group of receivers at Florida.

Making the move to draft Richardson is a long-term play, stashing him and letting Goff continue as the starter for the next couple years. Goff has proven he is more than capable of running an elite offense while the team waits for Richardson to develop.