Here Are The Many Routes The Lions Could Go In Thursday's NFL Draft

DETROIT — The Detroit Lions enter Thursday's NFL Draft as one of the teams best positioned to make a splash. They hold two first-round picks, including the No. 6 overall pick. They also hold the No. 18 pick.

Although Jameson Williams' early-season suspension hurts the Lions, it shouldn't alter any draft day plans for the team. Yes the Lions are counting on Williams to be a big part of the offense, but they can survive six games without him.

The team has considerable depth at the wide receiver position, including Amon-Ra St. Brown, who is undisputedly the teams' number one receiver. In addition, the Lions will certainly lean on a strong run game behind a powerful offensive line.

With that said, the Lions have many viable options in Thursday's Draft, such as trading up, trading down or staying put and selecting the best available player, whom they think can fit the teams' scheme.

Trade Up To No. 3

The Arizona Cardinals may be looking to trade down from their No. 3 in Thursday's Draft, and the Detroit Lions could be best positioned to talk to them.

The Cardinals need a lot of help, but they certainly don't want to drop too far down the board. While other teams could offer the Cardinals more draft picks, the Lions could offer the Cardinals the No. 6 pick, keeping Arizona in the top ten. Of course the Lions would have to offer more than just the No. 6 pick, possibly the No. 18 pick as well, but it's something to consider.

With a trade, the Lions could snag a top defensive pass rusher, including Alabama's Will Anderson, Texas Tech's Tyree Wilson or Georgia's Jalen Carter. If the Houston Texans pass on Anderson at No. 2, the Lions should strongly consider talking to the Cardinals in an effort to pick Anderson at No. 3.

Trading Down

If Anderson and Wilson are off the board by the time the Lions are on the clock at No. 6, they could consider trading down. The Philadelphia Eagles, who hold the No. 10 pick and the Tennessee Titans (No. 11) may be interested in trading up into the top ten, if things fall their way. The Eagles may be interested in Carter if he's available at N0. 6 and the Titans may be interested in a quarterback, such as Anthony Richardson.

Trading down would allow the Lions to add more picks (possibly another first rounder) in the draft and still have a chance to pick a top defensive talent, such as a cornerback like Illinois' Devon Witherspoon.

If a scenario like this were to play out, a wild card to watch is Pittsburgh's defensive tackle Calijah Kancey. He's a player that could fit nicely in the middle of that Lions defensive front, and help star pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson get some one-on-one battles. And the Lions would secure additional picks to further help the roster.

Staying Put

While Lions general manger Brad Holmes is no stranger to making a splash on draft day, think last year when he traded up 20 spots to pick Williams, the Lions could also just stay put and pick their player.

There's always an emphasis on "overreaching" in the draft, but if you like a player, pick him and don't worry about over analyzing. At No. 6, it's possible Anderson or Wilson could fall to them, but it's not likely, and that's ok because this year's draft has a plethora of options, even quarterback if the Lions dare.

The draft's top two cornerbacks will likely be available at No. 6, as well as other pass rushers, such as Kancey, Iowa's Lukas Van Ness and Clemson's Bryan Bresee. With solid wide receiver depth, a tight end would also look good. Notre Dame's Michael Mayer should be available at No. 6, but likely not No. 18. Another tight end option could be Dalton Kincaid, who should be available at No. 6 and 18.

Final Thoughts

For the first time in what seems like forever, the Lions actually have real winning expectations heading into the 2023 NFL season. And they have a tremendous opportunity Thursday to add to those expectations.

Almost anything the Lions do Thursday will feel like a win, except draft a quarterback. The team should stay committed to current quarterback Jared Goff, he's earned the right to be the Lions' undisputed quarterback.

If things fall the Lions' way early in the draft, they should strongly consider trading up for Alabama's Will Anderson, or target Pittsburgh's defensive tackle Calijah Kancey, either at No. 6 or by slightly trading down. At. No. 18, the Lions should consider a tight end, either Mayer (if he's still on the board) or Kincaid.