Free Press sports reporter Dave Birkett takes a position-by-position look at the top prospects and biggest Detroit Lions needs in the 2023 NFL draft. This is the fourth in an eight-part series.
The Lions took fliers on two linebackers in the sixth round of last year’s draft, and both ended up being key contributors on defense: Malcolm Rodriguez won a starting job out of training camp and held that role the entire season; James Houston failed to make the initial 53-man roster but shined as a midseason promotion from practice squad.