Pro Comparisons for Lions' 2023 Draft Class
The Detroit Lions' 2023 draft haul turned heads, as general manager Brad Holmes added a variety of talent.
Though the positional value of the selections was criticized, the Lions added several players who could be impact players as rookies.
“I said during the combine – ‘What’s the goal of the offseason?’ I just said, ‘Look, we don’t want to take a step back. We don’t want to stay stagnant,'" Holmes said. "We appreciate and we are extremely proud of the success that we had last year. But, we didn’t make the playoffs. We didn’t make the playoffs, and that’s not good enough. We’ve got to get to the point as a football team where we can put ourselves in a position where we can get in the postseason, and hopefully make some noise.”
Here are the pro comparisons for each of the eight players drafted by Holmes and Dan Campbell during the 2023 NFL Draft.
Jahmyr Gibbs
Pro comparison: New Orleans Saints' Alvin Kamara
Gibbs possesses a dynamic skill set, similar to what Kamara offers for the Saints. He brings value as both a runner and a pass-catcher.
With this pick, Campbell is looking to bring a similar impact to what he had with Kamara and the Saints. Gibbs will perform various roles, including playing out of the slot.
With this pick, the Lions are hoping to add a valuable asset to their offense. The Alabama product is dynamic, and should be a key piece for offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as both a runner and receiver.
LB Jack Campbell
Pro comparison: Dallas Cowboys' Leighton Vander Esch
The Lions took a chance on Campbell in the first round, with hopes that he will anchor the defense moving forward. He profiles similarly to Vander Esch in both size and ability.
Both are big linebackers who can bring a punch off the edge. Campbell has a similar athletic ability, and can produce in both the run and passing game.
The difference between the two players is that while Vander Esch works more as a pass-rusher, Campbell is a run stuffer. However, they both have rare size for a linebacker.
TE Sam LaPorta
Pro comparison: Carolina Panthers' Hayden Hurst
The Lions needed an athletic tight end who's dangerous in the passing game, and got one in LaPorta.
He has a similar play style to Hurst, in that he's a reliable target who can make plays after the catch.
Both players aren't phenomenal blockers. Their value as receivers outweigh their deficiencies in other areas. Hurst has been a very productive receiver, and LaPorta has a better relative athletic score.
DB Brian Branch
Pro comparison: Buffalo Bills' Taylor Rapp
Branch brings a unique versatility. He's able to play both safety positions along with the slot corner role.
Rapp played both safety positions for the Los Angeles Rams last season, along with the slot corner spot. Additionally, he is a sure tackler.
Branch shares this ability as a confident tackler from the secondary. His missed tackle percentage was two percent, according to Pro Football Focus. Meanwhile, Rapp finished the 2022 season with a miss rate of just 2.9 percent.
QB Hendon Hooker
Pro comparison: Seattle Seahawks' Geno Smith
If all goes well for Hooker, he may just be the Lions' quarterback of the future. Smith was a late-bloomer, as he just enjoyed the best season of his career at age 32.
Hooker and Smith share similar traits. They both have strong arms and the ability to throw solid deep balls, along with good intangibles that make them reliable under center.
The Lions' first of two 2023 third-round picks enters the league as one of the older prospects. He has the opportunity to learn and grow behind Jared Goff, with the Lions hoping he can pan out as the team's leader of the future.
© Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
DT Brodric Martin
Pro comparison: Buffalo Bills' Poona Ford
Martin was a surprising pick, given that many believed he would be a Day 3 pick. However, he has intriguing intangibles that could lead him to be a productive pro.
Though not particularly athletic, he has the necessary size to be an impact player. He's similar to Ford, who recently signed with the Bills.
Both players have the ideal size to play as nose tackles on the interior. Martin will have to continue to develop, but could wind up being a sleeper pick, given the Lions' need at his position.
OG/OT Colby Sorsdal
Pro comparison: Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Luke Goedeke
Sorsdal is a small-school prospect who likely has a position switch waiting for him at the pro level. This is similar to what Goedeke was dealing with last season, when he left Central Michigan to play guard for the Buccaneers.
Both players are tenacious. Sorsdal was among the better FCS prospects on the offensive line thanks to his fearlessness at the point of attack.
He wasn't as highly ranked as Goedeke coming out of college, but has the potential to develop a role down the line in his career.
WR Antoine Green
Pro comparison: Cleveland Browns' Donovan Peoples-Jones
Green and Peoples-Jones are both smaller receivers who play the "X" position as downfield threats.
At North Carolina, Green was impactful as a deep target. He profiles as a rotational receiver, much like what Peoples-Jones does for the Browns currently.
