A history lesson of the 23rd pick

Who knows if the Lions will end up staying at pick No. 23 in the first round of tonight’s NFL Draft. Lions general Manager Martin Mayhew has proven over the last few years that he’s willing to move up to grab a player he really likes.

If the Lions do ultimately stay at No. 23, though, they should have their choice of plenty of good players with similar grades.

Here’s a little history lesson on the last 17 No. 23 picks dating back to 1995:

2011: Danny Watkins, G, Eagles

Was inactive the first four weeks of the season last year but earned the starting right guard spot after Week 4 and never looked back.

2010: Bryan Bulaga, T, Packers

Buluga played in all 16 games with 12 starts as a rookie in 2010. He became the youngest player to ever start in a Super Bowl. He battled some injuries in 2011, but made 12 starts.

2009: Michael Oher, T, Ravens

Oher has been solid for the Ravens since Day 1, starting every game the past three years.

2008: Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Steelers

Became the Steelers’ starting running back in 2009 and has averaged 1,103 yards and nearly 10 touchdowns per season over the last three seasons.

2007: Dwayne Bowe, WR, Chiefs

Bowe made the Pro Bowl in 2010 after a 15-touchdown season. He’s had over 995 receiving yards in four of his first five seasons in the league.

2006: Davin Joseph, G, Buccaneers

Joseph is a two-time Pro Bowler (2008, 2011), who’s started 83 of 84 games over the last six years.

2005: Fabian Washington, CB, Raiders

Climbed draft boards after running a 4.29 40-yard dash at the combine, but never made a real impact in the league. Played through 2010 with Raiders and Ravens with 58 career starts.

2004: Marcus Tubbs, DT, Seahawks

Tubbs lasted only three seasons in the league because of knee injuries. He was productive in 2005, though, with 5.5 sacks and 40 tackles.

2003: Willis McGahee, RB, Bills

One of the great stories coming into the 2003 season after suffering a gruesome knee injury in the National Championship Game. He’s rushed for more than 1,000 yards four different times in his career and is coming off a 1,199-yard performance with the Broncos last year.

2002: Napolean Harris, LB, Raiders

Harris  was part of the trade that brought Randy Moss to the Raiders, so he spent only his first three seasons with the Raiders. He played in all 16 games only twice in his eight-year career, with two 100-plus-tackle seasons (2003, 2007).

2001: Deuce McAllister, RB, Saints

Ranks first all-time in yards and touchdowns in Saints history. Rushed for more than 1,000 yards in three-straight seasons from 2002-2004. The two-time Pro Bowler had 1,641 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2003.

2000: Rashard Anderson, DB, Panthers

Started nine games for the Panthers in 2001. He never played in the league again, though, after he was suspended for the entire 2002 and 2003 seasons for substance abuse.

1999: Antoine Winfield, CB, Bills

The three-time Pro Bowler is entering his 13thNFL season with the Vikings. He’s nearing 1,000 tackles for his career with 24 interceptions.

1998: Mo Collins, G, Raiders

Collins played six seasons for the Raiders with 64 starts.

1997: Antowain Smith, RB, Bills

Smith had a decent nine-year career with the Bills, Patriots, Titans and Saints. He finished with 6,881 yards and 54 touchdowns.

1996: Jeff Hartings, G, Lions

Played five seasons with the Lions before signing with the Steelers in free agency in 2001. He was moved to center and earned two Pro Bowls in an 11-year career.

1995: Ty Law, CB, Patriots

Became one of the best corners in the game and an important piece of the Patriots’ Super Bowl runs in the early 2000s. Went to five Pro Bowls and finished a 15-year career with 53 interceptions.