These Lions, from the top on down, are feeling themselves. Feeling encouraged by the franchise’s trajectory. Feeling good about the health of their roster. Their 2023 draft haul reflected that, writes colton_pouncy and nickbaumgardner.
Gibbs is also the best pass-catching back in a year when wide receiver talent was way down. The Lions will play Gibbs and Montgomery together. They’ll use Gibbs all over the place in ways everybody thought Swift might’ve been capable of, in theory.
Frankly, I have zero issue with the Gibbs pick. The one I can’t shake, though, is taking linebacker Jack Campbell at No. 18. I like Campbell. But I struggle with it at 18. When you start to imagine the ways the offense can use Gibbs, you see the bigger picture. Think offensive weapon more than running back. The Lions were clearly trying to prevent offensive regression and did that in a major way with a move like this. They love the player and what he can offer them.
The Campbell pick is more of the same. Holmes views him as an old-school linebacker with modern-day athleticism. His relative athletic score of 9.98 was among the highest in the class. He’s a 6-foot-5 Midwesterner who considers social media a distraction, didn’t pursue NIL deals in college and spent his time leading up to the draft just enjoying some fresh air outside. In so many ways, he’s a player the Lions covet. More importantly, he’s a player who can help them in 2023.
Will that always be the case for Holmes in Detroit? If the Lions build a true, consistent playoff contender, maybe not. Take Iowa tight end Sam LaPorta, for example. Do I think he’s better than Notre Dame’s Michael Mayer? Not really. Is it closer than people think? Yes. Do I think LaPorta is a better positional fit, with how he’s built and what his strengths/weaknesses are, than Mayer would be in Detroit right now? Absolutely yes.
One pick no one is griping about is Alabama defensive back Brian Branch. Detroit got him at No. 45. This might be the best value pick of the entire draft, Colton. Thoughts?Branch was one of my favorite players in the draft and has been for some time. If the Lions had drafted him 18th, I wouldn’t have had a problem with it. If they had drafted him 34th, it would’ve been a steal.Branch was a three-year starter for Nick Saban. That alone should catch your attention.
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