Apr 25, 2023 - Sports

Lions draft preview: Cornerback Devon Witherspoon

Joe Guillen

Devon Witherspoon lines up against Minnesota in 2022 — Devon Witherspoon lines up against Minnesota last year. Photo: Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Just three years after spending the No. 3 overall pick on Jeff Okudah, the Lions could take another cornerback as its top draft pick Thursday.

State of play: The Lions are overhauling their defensive backfield, trading Okudah to Atlanta and adding free agents to solidify the secondary.

The intrigue: Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon is still emerging as a potential target for the Lions to take at No. 6.

Here's a Witherspoon breakdown as part of our preview of Thursday's NFL draft:

💥 The ball hawk has a knack for pass breakups and a reputation for strong tackling skills. An unheralded prospect out of high school, Witherspoon's "a perfect Dan Campbell pick," according to a recent ESPN mock draft.

Oregon cornerback Christian Gonzalez is another option at No. 6.

Best-case scenario: Former Lion Darius Slay, an All-Pro in 2017 now with Philadelphia.

Worst-case: Okudah.

Quotable: "He's as confident as Deion Sanders was and talks as much trash as he did," Illinois defensive coordinator Aaron Henry told The Athletic.

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Lions draft preview: Cornerback Devon Witherspoon

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