Post by Blaming Brad on Apr 29, 2023 22:16:35 GMT -6
Obviously so impossible to say at this point but definitely some questionable choices that I can only assume Holmes & Co knew what they were doing. The Branch pick was my favorite by far. You have to wonder how people would feel about this draft if you said they took Branch at 12, Gibbs at 18 and Campbell at 34. Didn't love the Gibbs pick after overpaying for Montgomery but they did upgrade both of their top 2 RBs from last year. I'm most puzzled by taking LaPorta over Mayer. Also liked the Hooker pick. Overall I'd give it a B-.
Post by rustyhilger on Apr 29, 2023 22:45:18 GMT -6
We came away with an entire draft of gadget players.
Each comes with his own superpower trait that makes him kind of a freak or an oddity. Drafted way too early or way too late. Each a mystery wrapped inside of an enigma.
Just like the 2023 draft itself.
Absolutely love it for the entertainment value, even if every last one of them is a complete bust. This is going to be a wild ride.
Last Edit: Apr 29, 2023 22:46:24 GMT -6 by rustyhilger
Obviously so impossible to say at this point but definitely some questionable choices that I can only assume Holmes & Co knew what they were doing. The Branch pick was my favorite by far. You have to wonder how people would feel about this draft if you said they took Branch at 12, Gibbs at 18 and Campbell at 34. Didn't love the Gibbs pick after overpaying for Montgomery but they did upgrade both of their top 2 RBs from last year. I'm most puzzled by taking LaPorta over Mayer. Also liked the Hooker pick. Overall I'd give it a B-.
i think they knew more than we would about where players would likely go so i have no issue with where they picked a player. i really liked gibbs. while i wasnt big on the TE pick it was mentioned that he is very physical as a YAC player. thats not what we had with Hockinson. Hockinson was a catch and faint TE. glad we got rid of him and even better he went to Minny. LOL. They will regret that trade. i felt all along our biggest weakness was LBs and i was happy to see them get Campbell. one thing we need to realize is Iowa does things differently. they play senority over talent. thats always been their way of doing things.
Obviously they weren't sold on Jalen Carter. If so, would Gibbs have been there at 18? Strange draft. Impossible to grade. I write term papers for college $tudents and coming up with a grade is impossible. One footnote I'll add is: The LaPorta pick bugs the shit out of me. Other than that I'm good with it. Would Jack Campbell been there at 34? If so it could have been... Jalen Carter 6 Gibbs 18 Jack Campbell 34 La Porta left in a cornfield
I give this draft a: pending Swift was mentally weak. A lot of skill but no killer instinct. Hockenson everyone said will be a goat TE remember that? I heard one interview and knew he was a shithead. Haven't heard LaPorta speak yet but I like the Hooker pick. Let's hope this isn't Andre Ware 2.0. I'm still trying to figure out what happened to Andre Ware...
i think they went with laPorta due to his yard after the catch aerage. hes exceptional at it. totally different then the stop drop and roll we had in Hockinson. and laPorta is the best TE in recieving yards in Iowa history and that includes hockinson so he will really help get us those extra yards.
i think they went with laPorta due to his yard after the catch aerage. hes exceptional at it. totally different then the stop drop and roll we had in Hockinson. and laPorta is the best TE in recieving yards in Iowa history and that includes hockinson so he will really help get us those extra yards.
Last Edit: Apr 30, 2023 12:29:12 GMT -6 by rustyhilger
Best draft in Lions history based on the the sheer number of probable impact players. This team is on the right track and looks totally different since the departure of Piggy Face.
Post by Blaming Brad on Apr 30, 2023 13:49:40 GMT -6
One thing I noticed that ultimately means nothing - if you go by the NFL mock draft database consensus, the Lions got 4 first rounders (could have been 5 if they took Mayer instead of LaPorta).
Post by badnews3123 on Apr 30, 2023 18:43:22 GMT -6
Analytics guys sometimes can’t look past the process vs the results. I get you have to tie yourself to your brand, but it’s ok the leave the bubble. And I believer in some of the analytics, but there is a lot of gray area in football. It’s much different than baseball.
I have questions about how some things will work, but I have a level of trust with Holmes and the rest at this point that I trust that they have a plan. I love the talent they added in those first 5 picks. Wasn’t crazy about the cost to move up for Martin, but don’t know enough to make much of a judgement. Same with day 3.
Drafted 2 of my favorite players in the draft and 3 others that I liked a lot. Hard to complain too much. I’d say B+ only for giving up some of that draft capital they gained to move up for Martin. Which means Martin will likely be a force.
Weirdest draft ever for one simple reason - the Lions weren't going "all in" on need. Review what we have done in the past - Ebron because we needed a tight end, passed on Aaron Donald because we had Suh as an example. Think about folks screaming about "WHY NOT CARTER???!!!!" Well, we needed a DT, no? But, did we want the risk of all the baggage with him? Because it's a need?
Holmes went out and made our RB room better. He went out and added a TE to 3 guys who no one can remember their names. He added a Linebacker even though we had Rodrigo and resigned Anzalone. We added Branch even though we signed 2 CBs and a safety in the offseason. We have our QB but he went and got a guy who, if healthy, woulda been a first rounder.
I don't say "I love the draft" or "I hate the draft" but it feels different because we don't have a GLARING HOLE and he went and solidified things with BPA.
you upgrade when you can upgrade. despite anzalones new contract and rodrigo starting our LBs were still horrible. canpbell is a huge upgrade and we need more. just 1 injury and the LB room is thin as hell. obviously Hplmes wasnt risking taking carter with his baggage. Gibbs is a huge upgrade at RB. LePorta is the best recieving TE there is. branch, huge upgrade. love the way holmes is drafting.
... Four of them will either start or see significant playing time
That’s a good draft!!
As much as I'd like to be that optimistic, it's not a realistic expectation.
A good draft is two quality starters. I'd like to think Gibbs could be one, because skill at RB position translates well to the NFL. Other than that, Campbell and Branch have a pretty decent chance. But who even knows? Statistical probability says one of them will be a bust.
Yeah as wonder if most of them if not all will start in the preseason and in the being in week 1 when the season starts. BTW wished they got a kicker in the draft. That was a huge miss.
I keep on reading concerns about Holmes's approach to the draft and the fact that RB and ILB are not good values in the first round.
No teams have spent more resources than the Lions at RB, granted the was pre-Holmes.
Off the ball linebackers are a poor value versus a DE,DT, secondary.
This was an interesting draft, he has drafted well so far so it will be interesting how these players pan out and if Holmes has re-written the book on draft value. Honestly I can see all 4 of our first picks playing some snaps this season.
This was an interesting draft, he has drafted well so far so it will be interesting how these players pan out and if Holmes has re-written the book on draft value. Honestly I can see all 4 of our first picks playing some snaps this season.
It sure seems like a departure from previous drafts where he drafted for future potential rather than instant starters. Complain all you want about position value, but these are the positions and types of players that translate to "right away" production. And their athletic measurables were kinda' freakish. These guys can cause fits. You got the blazing RB who catches like a receiver. An off-ball linebacker the size of a tree. A miniature-sized safety who tackles with better form than our linebackers. And a Tight End with the speed and technique of some of our receivers.
This somehow went straight over the heads of the armchair experts.
Last Edit: May 8, 2023 20:17:10 GMT -6 by rustyhilger
