Day 2 2023 Mock Draft

PFF (34. DETROIT LIONS: QB WILL LEVIS, KENTUCKY - Levis fought to keep his head above water week in and week out against SEC competition. He'll be battle-tested for the NFL.  He played through turf toe for much of the 2022 season but earned a 90.6 overall grade when healthy under former Rams offensive coordinator Liam Coen in 2021. The Lions have had a wild draft already, so this fits. 48. DETROIT LIONS: TE LUKE MUSGRAVE, OREGON STATE - Musgrave has the goods. He just doesn't have the refinement. The good thing is he can still contribute while developing into a more complete pass-catcher as Detroit replaces former first-rounder T.J. Hockenson.  55. DETROIT LIONS (VIA MIN): WR JONATHAN MINGO, MISSISSIPPI - Mingo's 6-foot-1, 220-pound frame is almost running back-like. That's unique in this class. He showed serious improvement as a route runner this past fall with a career-high 51 catches for 861 yards. His skill set would round out Detroit's receiving corps alongside Amon-Ra St. Brown‘s versatility and Jameson Williams‘ speed.) (4-28-23):  https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2023-nfl-day-2-mock-draft

CBS Trapasso (34.  Joey Porter Jr. CB:  Awesome value with this long, decently athletic corner for the Lions. Even with all the veteran additions made in the secondary, this is a smart pick.  48.  Luke Musgrave:  Detroit adds an explosive tight end option for the increasingly fun offense.  55.  WR Jalin Hyatt:  Another fun dynamic downfield weapon for the Lions offense. Hyatt plays even faster than his 4.40 speed.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2023-nfl-draft-day-2-mock-draft-will-levis-hendon-hooker-find-homes-in-round-2-steelers-chiefs-take-wrs/

NFL.com Zeirlein (34.  Keeanu Benton:  Big interior defender who boosted his draft stock at the Senior Bowl and fits a position of need for the Lions. 48. WR Josh Downs:  After taking Jahmyr Gibbs in Round 1, the Lions throw another log on the offensive fire with one of the smoothest slot receivers in the draft. Their offensive versatility is getting scary.  55. QB Will Levis:  This could be a difficult prospect to pass on at this spot of the draft. Levis' tape is uneven, but there is plenty of talent on display. In the second round, this makes sense.):  https://www.nfl.com/news/2023-nfl-draft-day-2-mock-vikings-nab-qb-hendon-hooker-in-third-round-chiefs-sel

SN (34. Detroit Lions (from Cardinals) - Clark Phillips III, CB, Utah (5-9, 184 pounds):  The Lions surprised many by passing on corner with their two first-round picks after trading Jeff Okudah, so they should make getting an active ball-hawking playmaker a priority here to help complement newcomers Cameron Sutton and Emmanuel Moseley.  48. Detroit Lions - Adetomiwa Adebawore, DT, Northwestern (6-2, 282 pounds):  The Lions, after going running back and linebacker in the first round, need to address their defensive front four to help out Aidan Hutchinson. Adebawore is a super-athletic, inside-outside pass-rushing cog.  55. Detroit Lions (from Vikings) - Andre Carter II, EDGE, Army (6-7, 256 pounds):  The Lions can build on Adebawore by getting more help outside. Carter is appealing because of his production, smarts, freakish size and explosiveness.):  https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/nfl-mock-draft-2023-rounds-2-3/ict9qshmzamnqjxejpmsujfl

PFN (34. Detroit Lions: Will Levis, QB, Kentucky  - The Lions don’t have an immediate need at QB, but Jared Goff is up for an extension soon — one he might not have the tools to warrant. It would make a lot of sense, especially at Round 2 capital, for Detroit to add Will Levis and let him sit until it’s time to pass the torch. Levis has superior arm talent, and his quick release would be lethal with Detroit’s weapons.  48. Detroit Lions: Cory Trice, CB, Purdue - It took several picks, but the Detroit Lions finally pick a cornerback at 48th overall with Cory Trice. Trice isn’t as well-known to casual viewers, but he’s an elite size-speed CB at 6’3″, 206 pounds, with unnatural fluidity for his size. He’s an incredibly flexible playmaker at the catch point, and he brings the sharp physicality in press that the Lions will crave.  55. Detroit Lions (From MIN): Keion White, EDGE, Georgia Tech - Keion White was invited to the NFL Draft in anticipation of a potential first-round selection. He falls a bit here but lands in a great spot with Detroit.  White can play inside or outside with his frame and athleticism, but particularly against tackles, his hands have devastating pop, and he has the closing burst and agility to work blockers off-center.):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/2023-nfl-mock-draft-round-2-3/

Draft Network (34. Detroit Lions (via ARI) - DJ Turner CB, Michigan.  48. Detroit Lions - Sydney Brown SAF, Illinois.  55. Detroit Lions (via MIN) - O’Cyrus Torrence IOL, Florida):  https://thedraftnetwork.com/nfl-draft-2023-round-2-mock-draft/

Walter football (34. Detroit Lions: Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame Notre Dame - The Lions have an obvious hole at tight end because they traded T.J. Hockenson.  The next NFL tight end to come out of Notre Dame, Michael Mayer murdered opponents with high production over the middle of the field.  48. Detroit Lions: Gervon Dexter, DT, Florida Florida - The Lions had a great edge rush last year, but they could stand to add some talented defensive tackles to improve the interior pass rush.  Gervon Dexter is a lengthy defensive lineman with plus quickness and strength.  55. Detroit Lions: B.J. Ojulari, DE/OLB, LSU LSU - The Lions will need all the pass rushers they can get when battling the Eagles in the NFC Championship.  B.J. Ojulari did a great job of taking over for the injured Ali Gaye in 2021.):  https://walterfootball.com/draft2023redraft_2.php

Walter football Charlie (34. Detroit Lions: Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame - The Lions had a superb first round, landing both a difference maker for their offense and their defense. Here, Detroit selects another potentially impactful starter. The Lions could use a starting tight end, and Mayer is a good value at No. 34.  Mayer notched 67 catches in 2022 for 809 yards and nine touchdowns. He recorded 71 receptions for 840 yards and seven touchdowns in 2021. As a freshman, the 6-foot-5, 249-pound Mayer stepped in for Cole Kmet, and the Fighting Irish didn't miss a beat in the transition. Mayer caught 42 passes for 450 yards and two touchdowns in 2020. He has a good skill set and the upside to produce more.  48. Detroit Lions: Keeanu Benton, DT, Wisconsin - The Lions could use an interior pass rusher.  Benton recorded 36 tackles and 4.5 sacks in 2022. The 6-foot-3, 312-pounder had a good week at the Senior Bowl, showing strength, quickness and physicality. He has starting defensive tackle potential for the NFL. While Benton is not a force as a run defender, he is a nice pass rusher on the inside.  55. Detroit Lions: Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee - Detroit grab an understudy for Jared Goff.  Team sources feel Hooker is a good worker with nice size, athleticism and intelligence. The 6-foot-3, 217-pounder has a quality arm alongside the ability to hurt defenses on the ground. At 24, Hooker is older, but that won't bother teams significantly thanks to his great intangibles.  In 2022, Hooker completed 70 percent of his passes for 3,135 yards, 27 touchdowns and two interceptions. He also had 430 yards and five touchdowns on the ground. Hooker played well against Florida and LSU, leading Tennessee to some big wins. He was phenomenal versus Alabama, leading the Volunteers to a legendary upset win. Late in the season, Hooker suffered a torn ACL that could delay him in the early going of his rookie season. Hooker broke out in 2021, flashing some ability while completing 68 percent of his passes for 2,945 yards, 31 touchdowns and three interceptions. The Virginia Tech transfer also ran for 620 yards and five touchdowns.):  https://walterfootball.com/draft2023charlieredraft_2.php

Pick 34 (3 CB, 2 QB, 2 TE, 1 DT):

2 QB Will Levis

2 TE Michael Mayer 

1 CB Joey Porter 

1 DT Keeanu Benton 

1 CB Clark Phillips 

1 CB DJ Turner

Pick 48 (2 TE, 2 DT, 1 WR, 1 DE, 1 CB, 1 S):

2 TE Luke Musgrave

1 WR Josh Downs

1 DE Adetomiwa Adebawore 

1 CB Cory Trice

1 S Sydney Brown

1 DT Gervon Dexter 

1 DT Keeanu Benton 

Pick 55 (3 DE, 2 WR, 1 QB, 1 OG, 1 QB):

1 WR Jonathan Mingo

1 WR Jalin Hyatt 

1 QB Will Levis 

1 DE Andre Carter

1 DE Keion White 

1 DE BJ Ojulari 

1 OG O'Cyrus Torrence 

1 QB Hendon Hooker