2013 NFL Draft Grades: Team-by-Team Report Cards and Results | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors
Sebastian Wright
Published Mar 24, 2026
| Round (Pick) | Name | Position | School |
| 1 (5) | Ansah, E. | DE | BYU |
| 2 (36) | Slay, D. | CB | MSST |
| 3 (65) | Warford, L. | OG | UK |
| 4 (132) | Taylor, D. | DE | SCAR |
| 5 (165) | Martin, S. | P | APP |
| 6 (171) | Fuller, C. | WR | VT |
| 6 (199) | Riddick, T. | RB | ND |
| 7 (211) | Williams, M. | TE | ALA |
| 7 (245) | Hepburn, B. | ILB | FAMU |
The Lions did an outstanding job of addressing needs, but whether they got value is an open question.
Physically, Ezekiel Ansah is a perfect fit for the Lions defense. At 6'5", 271 pounds, Ansah is built like Kyle Vanden Bosch—but he has much better closing speed. Ansah is extremely raw, having played no high school and little college football. The Lions staff coached him at the Senior Bowl, but the team needs him to play like a No. 5 overall pick from Day 1.
The Lions had a need at corner after not being able to count on any of the three from last year's draft. Mississippi State's Darius Slay has good size and best-in-class speed.
Meanwhile, guard Larry Warford improves two positions. Not only does his 332-pound frame fill the hole the Lions have at right guard, but he prevents them from having to slide last year's first-round pick, Riley Reiff, over to fill it. Reiff will play left tackle, preserving his value.
The Lions got another of their favored big defensive ends with 6'7", 266-pound Devin Taylor in the fourth round. The team is so thin at end that Taylor will almost certainly rotate in from Day 1.
The Lions needed a true outside receiver with height and speed to draw attention away from Megatron, but though sixth-round pick Corey Fuller has height and speed, he'll need a year or to to prove he has the skills.
Finally, punter Sam Martin should cure the Lions' punting woes; he'll likely also take over kickoff duties from new kicker David Akers.
