Detroit Lions' First Pick Predictions & Betting Odds: 2023 NFL Draft
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The biggest day of the NFL offseason is just about upon us, as round one of the NFL Draft will be held on Thursday night. Festivities in Kansas City, Mo., run through the weekend, but Thursday is what it's all about. Teams will be hunting for franchise-changing talent in the first round, and the Detroit Lions will be no different.
Detroit has two picks in the opening round, its own at No. 18 and the No. 6 selection (which previously belonged to the Los Angeles Rams). Our experts have analyzed the odds at DraftKings Sportsbook for the upcoming NFL Draft, and are ready to bring you their first pick predictions for Detroit.
DETROIT LIONS NFL DRAFT FIRST PICK PREDICTION: Cornerback (-130 at DraftKings Sportsbook)
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Areas of Need for the Detroit Lions Leading Up to the 2023 NFL Draft
The Lions selected Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson with their first pick of the 2022 NFL Draft (at No. 2 overall). Although Hutchinson lived up to the hype by delivering a stellar rookie season, Detroit could still use some more help on the defensive line. A defensive tackle is one of the team’s most significant needs, while another EDGE rusher opposite Hutchinson would also provide a big boost for Lions head coach Dan Campbell’s defense.
If the Lions want to address their defense with the No. 6 overall pick, cornerback is probably the most enticing option, based on both need and availability.
However, the offense also has some holes. Quarterback, running back, wide receiver and offensive line are all areas of the depth chart that can be improved. Our experts have taken Detroit’s needs into account, as they prepare to make their Lions first pick predictions.
First Pick Predictions for the Detroit Lions Selecting 6th Overall
The Lions probably aren’t going to trade up, because they aren’t one of the obvious teams in the quarterback market. It’s likely that some other franchise – or multiple franchises – would be willing to offer a lot more in order to move up to the second, third, fourth or fifth spot. Detroit probably won’t trade down, either, since it already owns another selection later in the first round. Assuming this team stays at No. 6, cornerback can be expected to be the choice.
Christian Gonzalez of Oregon and Devon Witherspoon of Illinois are two cornerbacks who are projected to be selected in the top 10, but perhaps not within the top five. Witherspoon had three interceptions in 2022, while allowing only 3.3 yards per target. Gonzalez, who finished with four interceptions, has great size and speed at 6-foot-1. Plus, he owns a 4.38 40-yard dash time.
The Lions recently traded former No. 3 overall pick Jeff Okudah to the Atlanta Falcons, which is one reason why our experts’ Lions first pick predictions are focused on a cornerback. This prediction comes with -130 odds at DraftKings Sportsbook.
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Latest 2023 NFL Draft Betting Odds, Courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook
There are tons of NFL Draft markets available at DraftKings Sportsbook. You can bet on the exact player that gets picked No. 1 overall, although that seems to be a foregone conclusion at this point (Alabama quarterback Bryce Young is a -1600 favorite). There are many other options regarding certain positions and specific NFL teams, so make sure you visit DraftKings and peruse all of the possibilities.
The odds involving our experts' Lions first pick predictions can be seen below.
Position of Detroit Lions First Drafted Player
- Cornerback (-130)
- Defensive lineman/EDGE (+130)
- Quarterback (+1000)
- Wide Receiver (+1200)
- Running Back (+1500)
- Offensive Lineman (+1800)
- Tight end (+3500)
- Linebacker (+5000)
- Safety (+6500)
A $13 wager on our experts' Lions first pick predictions will earn you a profit of $10, if a cornerback is, in fact, the first position selected. Meanwhile, a $10 bet on Detroit picking a defensive lineman or EDGE rusher returns $13 in winnings, if that ends up happening. At much longer odds, a $10 wager on an offensive lineman gets you $180 profit, if that turns out to be the case.
When Does the NFL Draft 2023 Start?
The 2023 NFL Draft begins on Thursday, April 27 and runs through Saturday, April 29. The specific start times (Eastern) for each day listed here:
- Round 1: Thursday, April 27 (8:00 pm)
- Rounds 2-3: Friday, April 28 (7:00 pm)
- Rounds 4-7: Saturday, April 29 (12:00 pm)
The NFL Draft is without question the most exciting time of the league’s offseason. You can make it even more entertaining by placing bets on it, which can be done at DraftKings Sportsbook. Head over to DraftKings Sportsbook now and either tail or fade our experts’ Detroit Lions first pick predictions in time for Thursday.
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