The Detroit Lions got creative at the 2023 NFL Draft. As a result, there is plenty of NFL odds debate. Initially, Detroit liked cornerback Devon Witherspoon. The University of Illinois product would have fit right in with the Lions’ defensive backfield. And he could have even reunited with former college teammate Kerby Joseph. In turn, Joseph made noise in his rookie year with Detroit last season. Perhaps Detroit thought they were safe with that pick at No. 6. However, Seattle took Witherspoon at No. 5, and Detroit promptly traded down to No. 12.
NFL Future Odds Post Draft 2023-24 Detroit Lions
| Super Bowl Championship SBG Odds: | +2200 |
|---|---|
| NFC Championship SBG Odds: | +850 |
| NFC North Division Championship SBG Odds: | +140 |
| 2023 Over/Under Win Total: | 9.5 |
2023 Detroit Lions Post Draft Team Overview
Consequently, Detroit missed out on offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr., edge rusher Tyree Wilson, running back Bijan Robinson, defensive tackle Jalen Carter, and OTs Darnell Wright and Peter Skoronski. So, who did they pick at 12? Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs.
Interestingly, so much NFL draft discourse over the past few months centered on whether Robinson should go in the first round. Especially given the positional value of running backs. And then Robinson goes No. 8 overall to the Atlanta Falcons, and Gibbs is nabbed four spots later.
Like Robinson, Gibbs is a playmaker. He has the agility and vision to run behind Detroit’s stellar offensive line and can run routes like a wideout. Additionally, Gibbs has “home-run speed,” That ability could make him a dangerous sports betting weapon for quarterback Jared Goff. With Gibbs at times serving as another receiver.
Detroit can get creative, given the NFL betting odds versatility of its skill players. Now the Lions’ arsenal includes Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown, who tallied the 11th-most receiving yards in 2022 despite working primarily out of the slot, David Montgomery, D’Andre Swift, and Jameson Williams. However, Williams must serve a six-game suspension.
And then the Lions’ next one was even more confounding. They watched as edge rushers Lukas Van Ness, Will McDonald, OT Broderick Jones, and cornerbacks Emmanuel Forbes and Christian Gonzalez were claimed.
In turn, that left the draft’s consensus top wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba still available. Tight end Dalton Kincaid was also up for grabs. Next, after trading away TJ Hockenson midway through last season, Detroit has a big hole at the position. The board had fallen in Detroit’s favor at No. 18. Before the football world’s collective mouth fell open again.
The Lions selected inside linebacker Jack Campbell out of Iowa. Campbell, mind you, is talented. He’s tough as nails, a total Dan Campbell type of player. But gamblers ask No. 18 overall. Especially for an inside linebacker? Consider that veteran linebacker Bobby Wagner’s latest contract is $5.5 million annually. Lavonte David is making $4.5 million in Tampa. Now Campbell will make right around those figures.
It stands to reason that Detroit could have gotten Jack Campbell with its first Day 2 selection. But Holmes and his staff weren’t tempted to “get cute. ” Noting that Campbell was the highest-rated player remaining on their draft board by a large margin. Instead, they played it safe, which carries its own risk. So the Lions like who they like. They didn’t want to wait to get their guy. This one, like Gibbs, was valued differently than the consensus. Neither player showed up in too many first-round mocks. But the media isn’t the GM.