Bleacher Nation NFL 2023 Mock Draft: Lions Replace Okudah at Cornerback

The Bleacher Nation NFL 2023 Mock Draft will be a running mock draft that spans between now and round one of the NFL Draft. Each of the 31 picks (Miami forfeited their first-round pick due to tampering) will get a dedicated post. Here’s how it’ll work:

  • Every pick in the Mock Draft gets its own post. We will do one or two picks per day.
  • We will link back to previous posts with a running draft recap.
  • This feature will not include trades and will cover the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
  • The Lions are on the clock in the Bleacher Nation NFL Mock Draft …

    The Pick Is In

    CB Kelee Ringo — Georgia

    The Fit

    On Tuesday, the Lions’ trade of Jeff Okudah to the Falcons reaffirmed a couple of things. First, that’s why we see so many versions of mock drafts as we march closer to draft day. I had the Lions’ free agency haul satisfying their need for a cornerback this offseason; with Okudah gone, that need returns.

    So, my original plan for the Lions is out the window, and we’re pivoting back to cornerback. The problem is, we’ve seen three cornerbacks taken in the last four picks in this mock draft and four in the first round. So we’re going Kelee Ringo here for the Lions. Ringo is no consolation prize, but he’s no Christian Gonzalez or Devon Witherspoon.

    Scouting Report

    Ringo’s career with the Bulldogs includes two CFP titles, 76 tackles, and four interceptions in two seasons in Athens. Ringo was credited with just one tackle in last night’s blowout victory over TCU, but made five tackles, logged a pass defended and forced a fumble against Ohio State in the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl on New Year’s Eve.

    Ringo shows excellent patience in press coverage and avoids opening up too quickly. He has the makeup speed to transition seamlessly into trail coverage and gets his head around quickly to play the ball at the catch point.

    Ringo has the range and anticipation to make pass breakups and has excellent route recognition. Ringo’s biggest weakness is giving up space in transition and allowing receivers open looks on quick hitters.

    Here’s some film of Ringo taking on Marvin Harrison Jr. in the Peach Bowl on New Year’s Eve:

    Final Thoughts: Ringo can be too aggressive sometimes, making him susceptible to the double move and the intermediate routes. However, he has a rare blend of size, speed, and ball skills. He might have a lower floor than some of the other cornerback prospects in this draft, but his ceiling is sky-high.

    Bleacher Nation’s 2023 NFL Mock Draft

    1. Carolina Panthers (via CHI) — QB C.J. Stroud, Ohio State
    2. Houston Texans — QB Bryce Young, Alabama
    3. Arizona Cardinals — EDGE Will Anderson Jr., Alabama
    4. Indianapolis Colts — QB Anthony Richardson, Florida
    5. Seattle Seahawks (via DEN) — DT Jalen Carter, Georgia
    6. Detroit Lions (via LAR) — EDGE Tyree Wilson, Texas Tech
    7. Las Vegas Raiders — QB Will Levis, Kentucky
    8. Atlanta Falcons — EDGE Myles Murphy, Clemson
    9. Chicago Bears (via CAR) — CB Devon Witherspoon, Illinois
    10. Philadelphia Eagles (via NO) — DT Calijah Kancey, Pitt
    11. Tennessee Titans — T Paris Johnson Jr., Ohio State
    12. Houston Texans (via CLE) — WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State
    13. New York Jets — T Broderick Jones, Georgia
    14. New England Patriots — CB Christian Gonzalez, Oregon
    15. Green Bay Packers — TE Dalton Kincaid, Utah
    16. Washington Commanders — CB Deonte Banks, Maryland
    17. Pittsburgh Steelers — CB Joey Porter Jr., Penn State
    18. Detroit Lions — CB Kelee Ringo, Georgia
    19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
    20. Seattle Seahawks
    21. Los Angeles Chargers
    22. Baltimore Ravens
    23. Minnesota Vikings
    24. Jacksonville Jaguars
    25. New York Giants
    26. Dallas Cowboys
    27. Buffalo Bills
    28. Cincinnati Bengals
    29. New Orleans Saints (via SF)
    30. Philadelphia Eagles
    31. Kansas City Chiefs

    written by

    Patrick grew up in Chicago's Bridgeport and Garfield Ridge neighborhoods before moving to the Western Suburbs of Chicago before eventually relocating to the Las Vegas area with his family in 2023. He started with Bleacher Nation in 2021 and has spent time as a Staff Writer and on the Chicago Blackhawks beat. He is currently a writer and editor at Bleacher Nation covering the Chicago Bears and the NFL at large and the author of the Bleacher Nation Newsletter. Patrick is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA).

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