5 best linebacker fits for Detroit Lions in the 2023 NFL Draft
The Detroit Lions could look to make an addition to their linebacking corps in the draft, and these 5 look like particularly good fits.
By all easy to see indications and deeper accounts, the Detroit Lions like their group of linebackers. But a closer looks says Malcolm Rodriguez (a sixth-round steal last year) is a keeper, with fellow starter Alex Anzalone merely an average player at his best and Derrick Barnes an interesting and still somewhat promising player in a lilkely rotational role.
The Lions won’t be taking a linebacker at No. 6 overall, not any of them would be worthy anyway in a class at the position that lacks someone of that ilk. At No. 18 is unlikely too, but a trade down from there into the 20s overall might make it interesting to widen the possible options to a linebacker as the proverbial “best player available.”
In the Day 2 and Day 3 range of the draft, the Lions could easily inject some talent into their linebacking corps. Someone who can help in pass coverage and/or as an athletic match for mobile quarterbacks would be particularly good based on last year’s struggles. Brad Holmes could lean to Day 3 after finding Rodriguez and James Houston there last year.
On the idea the Lions’ linebacking corps is not off-limits in this draft, and in some ways it’s a sneaky future need, here are five linebackers who look like good fits.