The Detroit Lions were highly praised after the 2022 NFL Draft, given the amount of blue-chip talent they acquired.
However, their 2023 draft hasn’t been given those same high marks, as many around the league believed they reached on both first-round selections.
Their draft could have been viewed completely differently, had the Seattle Seahawks not picked Illinois CB Devon Witherspoon.
According to Albert Breer, via Bob Condotta, the Lions were set to select Witherspoon with the No. 6 pick.
Breer reports that if Seahawks hadn’t taken Devon Witherspoon at 5, Lions were likely to take him at 6. Detroit then traded pick to Arizona: pic.twitter.com/VP2cEiWz6E
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) May 2, 2023
When the Seahawks chose Witherspoon, the Lions immediately traded their pick to the Arizona Cardinals, moving back to No. 12.
The Lions’ first-round picks ended up being RB Jahmyr Gibbs and LB Jack Campbell.
Campbell was especially surprising to many across the league, as he wasn’t necessarily seen as a first-round talent.
Regardless of the picks that unfolded, the Lions are now slated to compete for the NFC North.
Aaron Rodgers is out of the division, leaving the Green Bay Packers on somewhat shaky ground without a veteran quarterback.
The Chicago Bears are still rebuilding under young quarterback Justin Fields, and their team has yet to find a real identity.
While the Minnesota Vikings made the playoffs last year, many are expecting them to take a small step back.
Will this leave the door open for the Lions to claim the division?
After a 2022 season where the Lions had a 9-8 finish, including having one of the NFL’s best offenses, they are on a mission to keep improving.
Head coach Dan Campbell has revitalized the Lions’ culture, and all that’s left is for the team to realize their full potential.
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