Detroit Lions pre-free agency 7-round 2023 mock draft
First Round
6. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. CB. Oregon. Christian Gonzalez. player. 50
Off a strong showing at the NFL Combine, Gonzalez has come back as a popular mock pick for the Lions here at No. 6.
But he is no workout warrior. He is scheme-versatile, with good size (6-foot-1, 197 pounds at the Combine) and speed (4.38-second 40 at the Combine) that shows up on tape.
Some scouts say Gonzalez has to work on his craft as a cornerback. But he played a relatively few 30 games in college, so some of that could be expected. He is a Day 1 one starter, and the Lions clearly need one of those at cornerback
Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. DE. 18. player. Iowa. Lukas Van Ness. 50
I initially hesitated to go edge rusher here, but Van Ness was the best player available and he has certainly surfaced in some mocks at this pick for the Lions. It’s safe to say you can’t have too many pass rushers, and the Lions may gut their depth if they cut or both of Romeo Okwara and Charles Harris in the coming days.
Van Ness is nicknamed “Hercules” for a reason. He’s 6-foot-5 and 272 pounds, he ran a sub-4.6 40 at the Combine and his hands measured 11 inches in Indianapolis. He is also versatile, playing inside and out on Iowa’s defensive line. Lined up on the outside last season (h/t to Ben Raven of MLive), he had 31 hurries,10.5 tackles for loss and six sacks.
Van Ness’ versatility would be a great fit with the rest of the Lions’ defensive line, not to mention his skill level as a pass rusher and run defender. He lasted to here, and it would’ve been malpractice not to take him.