With The First Pick
Fansided

3 options for the Lions’ first round pick in 2023

By Alaina Morris

Dec 4, 2022; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson (97) celebrates a sack with linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez (44) against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second half at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2022; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson (97) celebrates a sack with linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez (44) against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second half at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Detroit Lions started out the season shaky and very slow, to say the least. After going 1-1 to kick off the year, they found themselves losing 5 straight games, sitting at a record of 1-6.

A switch was flipped within this team after these 7 games were played. They had 10 remaining games, in which they won 8 of those. This included the last game of the year where they took over Lambeau Field, and they grabbed a road win. The win forced a divisional rival’s season to end and miss out on the playoffs.

Although the Lions missed out on the playoffs as well, they could have very well made it if not for the rocky start. They have the opportunity to select two highly talented player in the first round. Detroit currently sits with the 6th and 18th pick.

Having two picks in the will allow them to fill two different positional needs, but expect them to look to draft defense.

3 options for the Lions’ first round picks 

Myles Murphy, EDGE Clemson

Although Lions took Aidan Hutchison last year, they can’t stop there. Myles Murphy would fit great alongside Hutchison. The Lions only completed 24 sacks on the season, along with giving up the most yards per game in the NFL. The Lions front seven would become a lot tougher with Murphy up there, which he proved by putting on a clinic this season at Clemson.

In Murphy’s past season, he did a phenomenal job of making the quarterbacks miserable. He recorded 6.5 sacks, along with 6 tackles for loss all to add another 16 tackles on top of it. Needless to say, Murphy and Hutchison would make a deadly duo, especially since Murphy has a little more size than Hutchison, standing at 6’5″, 275 lbs.

Christian Gonzalez, CB Oregon 

Gonzalez may be the best corner in the draft. The Lions don’t have “the guy” who has made his mark at this position. While the front seven needs help, so does the secondary. Gonzalez proved that during this past season at Oregon. Not only do his stats back him up, but he certainly has the size. Standing at 6’2″, Gonzales would be able to cover some of the bigger receivers in the league.

This past season at Oregon, he recorded four interceptions. The Lions grabbed twelve on the year, so they could use his talents in this area. Gonzalez has tons of upside, including his hands, height and his ability to make tackles in the secondary, where he made 35 this past season. Watch out for the name Christian Gonzalez because you will hear his name on draft nights.

Bryan Bresee, DT Clemson

This pick would be a bit of a stretch, considering his teammate Myles Murphy could be taken earlier, but the Lions do hold two first round picks. It would be a reunion for the two Tigers if they were taken by both the Lions first round picks. We already know Murphy and Bresee work well together, and this would be quite the sight to see at a professional level.

Standing at 6’5″ and 305lbs, Bresee has good speed and quickness for someone of that size. Because of his speed, he can get through the gaps in the line and cause a lot of trouble in the backfield. Bresee’s stats don’t tell exactly what he is capable of doing. While only record 9 tackles and 3.5 sacks, it is hard to pass on the raw prospect that Bresee is.

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