Lions’ 2023 draft crushes
NFL Combine season has come and gone. The top 2023 NFL Draft prospects have given their initial impressions on a grand scale, using the opportunity to supplement what they did in their college careers.
Spread out over four days, the combine allows prospects to compete in drills, where their every move is thoroughly analyzed and compared to their peers. As a result of this process, there tends to be standouts at every position, who rise on draft boards as a result of their performance.
Though Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell stated during his combine interview that he doesn’t evaluate players “in their pajamas,” there were certainly players who had intriguing showings.
Here are my 12 draft crushes, in no particular order, who I believe would be successful in a Lions uniform next season and beyond.
CHRISTIAN GONZALEZ, CB, OREGON
The Oregon product is one of the top cornerback prospects for good reason. He has ideal size and length, measured at 6-foot-2, and has the coverage skills and range to play in Detroit’s man-to-man oriented defensive system.
He was a takeaway artist with the Ducks, intercepting four passes last season. His athleticism is on par with the best prospects in the class, as he ranked first among corners with a 92 Next Gen Stats score, per NFL.com. His footwork is solid, and he’s agile enough to stay with the league’s faster receivers.
BRIAN BRANCH, CB/S, ALABAMA
Branch is a unique hybrid defender who could play any of the spots in the secondary. He’s not the fastest of the bunch, but he’s a true “Swiss-Army knife” in terms of his range and ability to come down and make a play in the run game.
The Lions could benefit from adding this talent to their defense. He’ll be a good tackler at the next level, as his physicality knows no limit. He doesn’t have the elite speed of some of his counterparts, but he makes up for that with instincts and short bursts.
CALIJAH KANCEY, DT, PITTSBURGH
Kancey set the record for 40-time by a defensive tackle with a 4.67 mark, surpassing the time run by Aaron Donald in 2013.
That type of speed is rare for a player who weighed in at 281 pounds, but he’s an athletic specimen who could be a game-changer for an NFL defense.
Detroit needs more production from its defensive line, as its defense ranked toward the bottom against the run in the first two years of Aaron Glenn’s tenure as defensive coordinator. Kancey posted 14.5 sacks in two years as a full-time starter, and could be an ideal pass-rushing defensive tackle next to run-stuffer Alim McNeill.
WILL ANDERSON, EDGE, ALABAMA
There’s a good chance Anderson doesn’t make it to Detroit’s first pick in the 2023 draft. But, if he does, then general manager Brad Holmes should sprint to get the pick in. The Alabama product is a next-level pass rusher who has all the desired traits.
Anderson is an elite athlete, who posted a 4.6 40 and finished with a 94 total athleticism grade, via NFL’s Next Gen Stats. He was a star for the Crimson Tide in three years with the program, and has shown everything to make one believe that this success will translate to the next level.
DAIYAN HENLEY, LB, WASHINGTON STATE
Henley was once a wide receiver recruit, and has become an exceptional linebacker. The athleticism that comes with being a former wide receiver makes him an asset in pass coverage.
Though he was good in coverage, Henley also packed a punch in the run game. He finished 2022 with a 90.5 overall run grade, via Pro Football Focus. This versatility should translate, and he’d be the perfect addition for a position group in Detroit that struggled to cover tight ends. Henley would also add another physical presence to the Lions’ defense.
DARNELL WASHINGTON, TE, GEORGIA
Washington is another physical beast who tested and measured off the charts at the combine. Standing in at 6-foot6, he moved with the grace of a wide receiver, and also showed solid blocking skills.
The Lions seemed content with the trio of young tight ends they had after trading T.J. Hockenson — and for good reason. However, Washington’s athleticism could make him a fun piece in Detroit offensive coordinator Ben Johnson’s system. Washington is a super talented prospect worth monitoring as the draft gets closer.
MATTHEW BERGERON, OT, SYRACUSE
If the Lions are looking to add another talented tackle for depth purposes, behind the tandem of Taylor Decker and Penei Sewell, Bergeron fits the bill. As a middle-round prospect, the Lions could elect to address bigger needs and then pick up Bergeron on Day 2.
He moves well, and posted good blocking numbers at Syracuse, finishing with a 75.2 overall blocking grade, via PFF. He’d be an ideal developmental piece behind Detroit’s top two tackles, with the ability to fill in at either tackle position.
ANTHONY RICHARDSON, QB, FLORIDA
Whether the Lions elect to select a quarterback early in the draft remains a tantalizing debate. Almost equally as tantalizing is the potential of Richardson, who has elite speed and a powerful arm.
Richardson didn’t post good numbers in his one season as the starter at Florida, but he tested off the charts at the combine. The athleticism is there, and if a coach can develop him, they will be unlocking a potentially powerful quarterback.
There’s an incredibly high ceiling with Richardson, but also a low floor. The Lions have vowed to address the backup spot behind starter Jared Goff, and time as an understudy could very well benefit the talented but still improving Richardson.
BIJAN ROBINSON, RB, TEXAS
Robinson is one of the best prospects in this year’s draft class. The value of drafting a running back early has diminished, but Robinson may just be the outlier. He was a dynamic piece at Texas, who produced in both the run and pass game.
Detroit has decisions to make with both of their running backs in 2023, with Jamaal Williams set to enter free agency and D’Andre Swift entering the last season of his rookie deal. Even if Detroit elects to run with one, or even both, adding another two-way stud would undoubtedly be exciting in Ben Johnson’s offense.
SIDY SOW, G, EMU
Detroit has to make a decision regarding current guard Halapoulivaati Vaitai, who is a potential cap casualty. If the front office indeed decides to part ways with him, a player like Sow could be a replacement.
Sow is an athlete, and proved so at the combine with his performance. He ranked second among guards in athleticism score, and finished the 2022 season with a 77.1 overall blocking grade, via PFF. He’s very strong, too, and could be another prospect who turns out to be a hit after being selected in the later rounds.
ANTONIO JOHNSON, S, TEXAS A&M
Johnson is another physical defender who packs a punch from the safety position. He showed a knack for coming down and making a hit in the run game, proving that he can handle the box safety role that Detroit values highly.
The Lions have valued players similar in makeup to Johnson before, such as Will Harris (who bring versatility). Harris is set to be a free agent, so a player like Johnson could step in and fill the role seamlessly.
ANDREI IOSIVAS, WR, PRINCETON
If the Lions aren’t able to retain DJ Chark, they’ll need a new deep threat to pair with the likes of Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams. Iosivas is a more raw prospect, and may not have the instant impact. However, his athletic traits are undeniable, and he could be appealing for that reason.
Iosivas was one of the better athletes at his position, as his athleticism score ranked ninth, via Next Gen Stats. As a late-round prospect, he could be a buylow investment who makes waves with development.