Every NFC North defense ranked from worst to best in 2023

2. Detroit Lions

Detroit's defense made significant improvements throughout the 2022 season, and that should continue this year.

The Lions focused their attention on rebuilding the secondary, which was desperately needed. They signed cornerbacks Cameron Sutton and Emmanuel Moseley in free agency, who provide immediate upgrades in starting positions.

Detroit also has one of the league's best safety rooms, drafting Brian Branch and signing C.J. Gardner-Johnson in free agency. Both offer the versatility to start at safety or slot corner. Along with second-year Kerby Joseph and veteran Tracy Walker, the Lions have tremendous depth.

First-round pick Jack Campbell should start immediately and helps strengthen the defense in the middle of the field. However, will the Lions regret not further strengthening their pass defense by drafting a pass rusher or cornerback in the first round?

Talented edge defenders like Clemson's Myles Murphy and Georgia's Nolan Smith were available. At cornerback, Oregon's Christian Gonzalez and Maryland's Deonte Banks would've made sense.

With Aidan Hutchinson entering year two, along with the additions the Lions have made, this group is talented enough to finish inside the top 15. And if everything works out, they could surprisingly become a top-10 defense in 2023. We should see major improvements on this side of the ball from Detroit.