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4 Detroit Lions players who are vulnerable to being replaced in the 2023 NFL Draft

By Brad Berreman

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 23: Brock Wright #89 of the Detroit Lions runs with the ball while being tackled by Anthony Barr #42 of the Dallas Cowboys during the second quarter at AT&T Stadium on October 23, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 23: Brock Wright #89 of the Detroit Lions runs with the ball while being tackled by Anthony Barr #42 of the Dallas Cowboys during the second quarter at AT&T Stadium on October 23, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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Credit: Michael Reaves/Getty Images
Credit: Michael Reaves/Getty Images /

4. PK Michael Badgley

Badgley stabilized the kicker spot for the Lions when he was brought in last year, going 33-for-33 on extra points and 20-for-24 on field goals over 12 games for them. He also kicked in one game for the Chicago Bears in 2022.

Badgley was re-signed by the Lions, and they could be content to just roll with him as their kicker outside of adding a camp leg or two to get through OTAs, training camp, etc. He is just 5-for-13 in his career on field goals from 50-plus yards out though (albeit 2-for-3 from that range with the Lions last season), so someone with a bigger leg might be on the radar if Dan Campbell eases back on his fourth down aggressiveness even a little bit.

It also happens to be a uniquely solid draft class at kicker, highlighted by Jake Moody out of Michigan. Moody made 10 kicks from 40-plus yards out for the Wolverines last season, with a career-long of 59 yards as he also came up clutch on a regular basis.

The Lions may have games in 2023 where making a long kick is the difference between winning or losing. Badgley will be hard to have confidence in for that situation, and if the board falls a certain way a kicker could be drafted on Day 3 to potentially take his job.

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