2023 NFL Draft Rumors: Raiders, Eagles, Lions Linked to CB with Top-10 Picks
February 3, 2023
Cornerback appears to have become one of the most coveted position groups leading into the 2023 NFL draft, and at least three teams within the top 10 are considering drafting a player at the position.
According to The Ringer's Ben Solak, the Las Vegas Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit Lions have been linked to cornerbacks leading up to the draft. Solak listed Oregon's Christian Gonzalez and Illinois' Devon Witherspoon as possible options for those franchises.
The Lions own the sixth overall pick in 2023, while the Raiders have the seventh and the Eagles have the 10th. It's no surprise they're all considering selecting a cornerback this spring.
Detroit relied on Jeff Okudah, Jerry Jacobs, Mike Hughes and Amani Oruwariye at cornerback in 2022, and they could use an upgrade at the corner opposite Okudah in 2023.
The Raiders, meanwhile, relied on Anthony Averett, Rock Ya-Sin, Sam Webb and Amik Robertson this season. Like the Lions, they could also use an upgrade at cornerback next season.
Philadelphia is pretty solid at the position with James Bradberry and Darius Slay, but they're likely thinking about what the position will look like once those two are off the books.
Gonzalez spent the first two seasons of his career at Colorado before transferring to Oregon for the 2022 season. In 12 games with the Ducks, he posted four interceptions, seven pass breakups, 50 tackles and one tackle for a loss. Pro Football Focus considers him the second-best cornerback in the 2023 class.
Witherspoon is considered the cream of the crop among corners in this year's class. He spent his entire four-year college career at Illinois and had an impressive 2022 campaign, posting three interceptions, 14 pass breakups, 41 tackles and 2.5 tackles for a loss.
Aside from Gonzalez and Witherspoon, South Carolina's Cam Smith, Penn State's Joey Porter Jr., Alabama's Eli Ricks and Georgia's Kelee Ringo are considered the top cornerbacks in the 2023 class.