ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay is one of the more notable names in the business. McShay has released his first mock draft for the 2023 season and it offers an interesting look at how the national media perceive the Lions and what they might do in April’s draft.
Before the Lions come on the clock at No. 6, McShay projects two QBs (Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud) and three defensive players off the board: Will Anderson, Jalen Carter and Tyree Wilson. With those names gone, the projection is Clemson EDGE Myles Murphy.
McShay’s explanation touches on all the expected bases,
I think Detroit sticks with Jared Goff and uses this pick on a porous defensive unit. I considered a cornerback, but Murphy has a much higher grade than my CB1 — and the defense needs support at multiple positions. It couldn’t stop anyone last season, allowing a league-high 6.2 yards per play. Adding Murphy’s speed off the edge to a group that already includes 2022 first-rounder Aidan Hutchinson and surprise rookie standout James Houston immediately moves the defense forward.
Something else to watch for here: I wouldn’t be surprised if Detroit slides down the board, picking up additional draft capital from a team looking to nab a quarterback. The Lions already have a second first-rounder, too.
EDGE isn’t typically regarded as a big need for Detroit, especially if John Cominsky returns in free agency and both Romeo and Julian Okwara are healthy. This is also higher than Murphy typically gets projected in contemporary mocks, but it’s plausible that the Clemon pass rusher will go this high.
At No. 18, the Lions are projected to select Georgia CB Kelee Ringo. It’s an intriguing choice, one that doesn’t really fit with Detroit. Ringo is a talented cover man with great size and some impressive long speed, but he’s proven to be mistake-prone in coverage. Nothing grinds head coach Dan Campbell’s gears more than missed assignments, which he refers to derisively as “MAs” in his press conference.
Ringo also needs to show he can cover without holding or illegal contact, something he didn’t do regularly at Georgia. Good player, but not a great fit for the Lions and quite a bit higher than where Ringo is typically projected (average mock draft position of 29).
There will be a lot of opinions about his game, but Ringo has a lot of upside. He has speed and length, and he’s very good in press coverage. Plus, he hauled in two interceptions in each of his seasons at Georgia. Jeff Okudah has flashed the traits that made him the No. 3 pick in 2020, but even if he takes the next step, Amani Oruwariye is a free agent, leaving the other outside corner spot wide open.
The commentary also ignores that Amani Oruwariye was a healthy scratch or buried deep on the cornerback depth chart behind Mike Hughes (also a FA) and Jerry Jacobs in 2022. Outside CB is a major need, no doubt, but the cupboard isn’t completely bare.
