Detroit Lions named ‘big winner’ by draft guru in his 7-round mock

In his new and final 2023 mock draft, Dane Brugler of The Athletic has tabbed the Detroit Lions as a ‘big winner.’

The Detroit Lions are among the teams in a great position for the 2023 NFL Draft, with two first-round picks, two second-round picks and another pick in the top-85 overall. It’s fair to say almost whatever they do over seven rounds will be met with positivity, with the equity general manager Brad Holmes has already built up.

Dane Brugler of The Athletic is one of the best and most thorough draft analysts around. He released a new full, 7-round mock draft on Monday (subscription required), as in all 259 picks.

Let’s take a look at who Brugler has the Lions taking with their nine selections. (quotes courtesy of Pride of Detroit).

No. 6: Oregon cornerback Christian Gonzalez

"Most mock drafts have a cornerback pegged here for the Lions … which inevitably means Detroit will take a different position on draft day. That said, I’m sticking with Gonzalez because he is one of the top non-quarterbacks in the draft with the traits you bet on at a premium position."

Gonzalez is one of the top cornerbacks in this class, and a potential top-10 pick. If the Lions go with a corneback at No. 6, it seems likely to be either him or Devon Witherspoon.

At No. 18, Brugler has the Lions taking Pitt defensive tackle Calijah Kancey.

The Lions would love to come away from the draft’s first night with two impact defensive prospects. They do so in this scenario: Gonzalez and Kancey. The Pitt defensive tackle is undersized, but disruptive defensive linemen come in all shapes and sizes.”

Kancey is a likely first-round pick, and a solid pivot for the Lions to take a defensive tackle in the first round if they don’t take Jalen Carter at No. 6.

Detroit Lions named ‘big winner’ by Dane Brugler in his mock draft

Here’s the rest of the Lions’ haul in Brugler’s mock.

No. 48 overall (second round): Georgia TE Darnell Washington
No. 55 overall (second round): Iowa LB Jack Campbell
No. 81 overall (third round): NC State OG Chandler Zavala
No. 152 overall (fifth round): Stanford WR Michael Wilson
No. 159 overall (fifth round): Central Michigan EDGE Thomas Incoom
No. 183 overall (sixth round): Coastal Carolina NT Jerrod Clark
No. 194 overall (sixth round): Boise State OT John Ojukwu

In talking about the pick of Washington at No. 48 overall, Brugler named the Lions as a “big winner” from his mock.

"In my opinion, the Lions were a big winner in this seven-round mock, and landing Washington with this pick is part of the reason why. Detroit needs to add to its tight end depth chart, ideally with a capable blocker whom the coaching staff can groom as a pass catcher. Washington is an ideal fit.”"

The Lions’ haul in Brugler’s mock leaves only one stone totally unturned–a possible quarterback of the future. But there’s a lot to like here, with the inherent credibility Brugler adds to the equation.