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