Detroit Lions' 2023 NFL Draft Grades
The 2023 NFL Draft is complete, and Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes made some eyebrow-raising selections.
He remained aggressive moving around the draft board, and held true to drafting high football IQ, admirable character and top-notch athletes.
With the Lions looking to take the next step, they added some instant impact players, some niche role prospects and a few guys who will need to develop.
As I point out every year, I don’t do my draft grades on an "A" to "C" scale, like most draft evaluators. A “C” from me is considered average, and isn’t necessarily a bad grade.
Grading scale:
A = Great
B = Good
C = Average
D = Poor
F = Horrible
Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama
(First round, No. 12 overall)
- 5-foot-9
- 199 pounds
- 4.36-second 40-yard dash
- 33.5-inch vertical
- Logan’s big board rank: No. 29
After trading back from pick No. 6 to pick No. 12, the Lions grabbed the most electric running back in the draft. Gibbs is a legitimate blazer – a true home-run threat who won’t be caught from behind. Honestly, the Lions haven’t had a rusher in the backfield with that trait since Reggie Bush. Gibbs will add a much-needed speed element to the Lions' offense. No doubt, the 199-pound back will make plenty of highlight-reel plays in the running and receiving game. Perhaps his best attribute is his pass-catching ability, though.
In saying all that, I still personally feel that the value of Gibbs that high in the draft was extremely underwhelming.
Usually, the only running backs to sniff the first round are considered the “bell-cow” types. Most of the best NFL ball-carriers were drafted in the second round or later. Plus, it’s hard to envision Gibbs as a workhorse, with him not even being 200 pounds. How will he hold up long term? The typical shelf-life of a running back is much shorter than other positions already.
In the past five drafts combined, Bijan Robinson is the only running back to be selected higher than 12th overall. It’s just not a position that teams need to draft high, as there are solid options who can make an immediate impact later in the draft.
From a salary-cap allocation standpoint, Gibbs will roughly earn an average of $4.8 million a year, which will already be in the top 20 for highest-paid running backs. So much for that cheap, team-friendly contract that is so important for roster building.
Overall, I love the thought of having Gibbs’ skillset in the Lions’ offense. He is going to be a lot of fun to have in the backfield. I just feel like drafting Gibbs, where the Lions did, is not a wise use of valuable draft capital.
Grade: D+
Personal selection: CB Christian Gonzalez
Jack Campbell, LB, Iowa
(First round, No. 18 overall)
- 6-foot-5
- 249 pounds
- 4.65-second 40-yard dash
- 37.5-inch vertical
- 6.74-second 3-cone
- Logan’s big board rank: No. 28
Continuing the theme of drafting lower-value positions, Holmes once again went against the grain, and drafted Campbell at pick 18.
However, Campbell was one of my favorite second-round targets and my top-rated off-ball backer in the entire draft. One of the Lions' biggest needs was upgrading their linebacker unit, and Campbell will definitely help. Per Pro Football Focus, Campbell earned the second-highest overall grade for all linebackers in the nation last season.
The Iowa product checks every box you look for -- elite size, elite production, high character and elite athleticism. Don’t let the 4.65 40-yard dash time fool you. Although that’s plenty fast, his agility and explosion numbers for a 249-pounder are unreal.
The winner of the 2022 Butkus Award for the nation’s top linebacker and the William V. Campbell Trophy, Campbell is the type of middle linebacker that is extremely hard to find coming out of the college ranks these days. Given his measurables, it’s a bit surprising he didn’t move to the more revered EDGE position.
At the end of the day, again, linebacker might not be the best value in the first round, but the Lions got the top prospect at a position of need.
Grade: B-
Personal selection: WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba
Sam LaPorta, TE, Iowa
(Second round, No. 34 overall)
- 6-foot-3
- 245 pounds
- 4.59-second 40-yard dash
- 4.25-second short shuttle
- 6.91-second 3-cone
- Logan’s big board rank: No. 57
LaPorta flew a bit under the radar in this year’s talented tight end class. With more familiar tight ends such as Michael Mayer, Darnell Washington and Luke Musgrave all still on the board, LaPorta’s selection may have been a bit of a surprise. However, LaPorta still seemed like a shoe-in to be drafted at some point in the second round.
After the departure of fellow Iowa tight end T.J. Hockenson, the athletic LaPorta will fill the void of the passing-catching tight end role. Unlike Hockenson, though, LaPorta is a real threat after the catch. LaPorta has better speed, and was second in the nation, behind only Dalton Kincaid, for forced missed tackles (14) in 2022.
Important to note that LaPorta does have some flaws in his game. He struggled with drops (9.2% career drop rate), and has never been all that great in contested-catch situations – an area where top tight ends usually thrive. As a blocker, he is pretty average, and doesn’t possess great size for the position. Despite these concerns, play him to his strengths, and he will be another weapon at QB Jared Goff’s disposal.
Grade: C
Personal selection: TE Michael Mayer
Brian Branch, DB, Alabama
(Second round, No. 45 overall)
- 6-foot
- 190 pounds
- 4.58-second 40-yard dash
- 34.5-inch vertical
- Logan’s big board rank: No. 20
Branch is a player I would have been good with taking with the Lions' second first-rounder. A hybrid safety that can also play big nickel and slot corner was not the Lions' biggest area of need, due to the presence of C.J. Gardner-Johnson. But, remember, Gardner-Johnson is only on a one-year deal. Long term, Branch could be the succession plan. And, versatile depth in the secondary is always important.
If Branch had a better combine, he was very likely a first-round selection. Yes, I am usually all-in on drafting high-end athletes, but instincts are paramount for the safety position. He is still sticky and agile in coverage, makes plays all over the field, is an ultra-reliable tackler and is aggressive against the run. In the second round, I don’t think Holmes could do much better.
Grade: A+
Personal selection: DB Brian Branch
Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee
(Third round, No. 68 overall)
- 6-foot-3
- 217 pounds
- Logan’s big board rank: No. 69
At some point, the Lions were going to have to figure out their backup quarterback situation. Hooker should fix that. However, he did tear his left ACL on November 19 at South Carolina, which likely won’t allow him to play immediately.
For the future, the pick gives the Lions a potential starter, if he can develop into an NFL-style quarterback. It’s also uncertain how comfortable the Lions are with paying Jared Goff top dollar once his contract expires. If Goff were to walk in a couple of years or to fall back into old, bad habits, Hooker has the tools and mobility to be an exciting signal-caller.
Considering there was even some buzz that Hooker could be a first-round pick, grabbing him in the third round is solid value. The talent is there, and usually quarterbacks who possess his skillset go a lot higher.
Hooker led the nation's top offense in yards per game and points scored, with an FBS-best 9.53 yards per pass attempt. He doesn’t turn the ball over, and was one of the best in the nation in turnover-worthy play percentage.
Grade: A
Personal selection: LB Trenton Simpson
Brodric Martin, NT, Western Kentucky
(Third round, No. 96 overall)
- 6-foot-5
- 337 pounds
- 35-inch arm length
- 1.81 10-yard split
- Logan’s big board rank: 248th
Holmes gave up picks 122, 139, and 168 to move up and draft Martin. That’s a lot of draft capital to select a player most analysts had pegged as a Day 3 selection. Obviously, the Lions like Martin more than most, and have a specific role in mind for him. At 6-foot-5, 337 pounds, with 35-inch arms, nose tackle is no doubt his calling.
From an athletic standpoint, he leaves a lot to be desired. Not that athleticism is overly important at the nose, but big-bodied defensive tackles drafted on Day 2 are usually more productive or possess rare traits.
Full disclosure, I didn’t spend much time evaluating Martin in the pre-draft process. On my initial look, I quickly passed over him, and chalked him up as just another large one-tech. Honestly, even after doing some more digging, I couldn’t find much to be overly excited about.
Martin’s upside appears to be as a rotational nose tackle with nimble feet who is very difficult to move. All in all, the limited potential as a part-time player, who required three picks to acquire, is just hard to wrap my head around.
Grade: D
Personal selection: CB Darius Rush
Colby Sorsdal, OL, William & Mary
(Fifth round, No. 152 overall)
• 6-foot-5
• 304 pounds
• 33-inch arm length
• 1.91 10-yard split
• Logan’s big board rank: N/A
Yet again, Holmes made me go do some homework on a selection in back-to-back picks. Sorsdal wasn’t even on my radar. I found solace that I wasn’t the only one, though. On respected draft analyst Dane Brugler's offensive tackles rankings, Sorsdal was the 53rd-ranked tackle. But, unlike Martin, after further review, I found myself pleasantly surprised with Sorsdal’s game.
He has the requisite size for tackle, some nimble feet, and some nastiness in his game. As a pass protector, he hasn’t allowed a sack since 2019 and had the 9th highest PFF pass-blocking grade of the entire 2023 tackle class. Sorsdal played predominantly on the right side at William & Mary, but it looks like he could also move inside at the next level.
At this point in the draft, taking chances on lesser-known players is more acceptable. Holmes drafted a player he likes, and I can see why.
Grade: C+
Personal selection: OG Andrew Vorhees
Antoine Green, WR, North Carolina
(Seventh round, No. 219 overall)
• 6-foot-2
• 199 pounds
• 4.47 40-yard dash
• Logan’s big board rank: 215th
Green has some really nice traits and highlights on film. In a class filled with undersized receivers, Green is an outside wideout with good speed. On film, he wins contested catches, can break tackles and is a solid deep threat. His 151.3 passer rating when targeted was second in the class behind Jalin Hyatt.
Green is worth a shot in the seventh round for a team that could use depth at the position.
Grade: B+
Personal selection: DL Moro Ojomo
OVERALL GRADE
Of Holmes' three drafts with the Lions, this was my least favorite. He has earned my trust, though, so I can be critical, yet hopeful at the same time. There were plenty of picks that I felt were major reaches, due to position value or actual talent level.
More often than not, the consensus draft board is semi-reliable when it comes to evaluating prospects, and Holmes went completely off-script.
In a few years, Holmes is going to look like a genius with these selections, or he'll have plenty of egg on his face.
At the end of the day, this is the Lions' new draft class, and we all will sit back and see in a few seasons how this group of players either helps or hurts the team.
Final grade: C
