Lions Dominate Day 2, Earn National Praise
After producing a largely-perceived underwhelming performance on Day 1 of the 2023 draft, Lions general manager Brad Holmes delivered in the second and third rounds on Friday.
The Lions' third-year GM made four trades and four selections through the two rounds. Though he delivered a pair of puzzling picks, his two others drew rave reviews.
Holmes selected Iowa tight end Sam LaPorta, Alabama defensive back Brian Branch, Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker and Western Kentucky defensive tackle Brodric Martin with his four picks Friday.
Here is a sample of the national reaction to Detroit's performance on Day 2 of the NFL Draft.
On LaPorta: "The Lions made the first surprise pick of Day 2 after picking LaPorta ahead of Michael Mayer, Darnell Washington and Luke Musgrave. With the Lions trading T.J. Hockenson last season, LaPorta could be in line to start as a rookie. LaPorta averaged 11.7 yards per reception in college." Grade: C+
On Brian Branch: "In a draft light on safety talent, Branch is the best of the class. The Lions have spent this offseason upgrading what was a horrid secondary, including safety CJ Gardner-Johnson, and corners Emmanuel Moseley and Cam Sutton. Branch projects as an immediate starter, who can play in the box as showcased by his 14 tackles for loss last season with Alabama." Grade: A-
On Hendon Hooker: "Going in the third round was worth the wait for Hooker, because he might get an opportunity to start for the Lions in the foreseeable future. Jared Goff is currently the starter in Detroit, but that’s O.K. for Hooker, who is recovering from a torn ACL he sustained in November. Hooker has size, good arm strength, and he might be the most accurate quarterback in the draft. The Lions finally nailed a pick." Grade: A-
On Brodric Martin: "The Lions landed a stout run stopper in Martin. He might struggle in other areas, but Detroit needs help against the run during early downs." Grade: C
ESPN (Mel Kiper Jr.)
Kiper labeled the Lions among his winners of Day 2.
"I questioned what the Lions did in Round 1, but I have no qualms with LaPorta. I recently moved him up my big board -- he's No. 36 overall and is the No. 3 tight end in my rankings. You talk about all the tight ends Iowa has produced, but it's LaPorta who is the career leader in receptions (153). He is outstanding after the catch. Now, unlike most Hawkeyes tight ends, he needs to be more consistent as a blocker, but he has upside in the pass game. I like this selection, which came from Detroit's trade back with Arizona in Round 1.
The Lions then made an intra-division trade with the Packers to take my top-ranked safety in this class. Branch played mostly as a nickel corner for Alabama, but I see him as a versatile safety who could be a center fielder. To make this deal and move up three spots, Detroit gave up Nos. 48 and 159. These first two picks on Day 2 are tremendous.
With their final pick of Day 2, the Lions made the fascinating call to snag Hooker. There was lots of buzz that he wouldn't make it out of the top 40, but he instead landed in a nice spot. There won't be pressure on him to play immediately, as Jared Goff is the clear starter. He can now focus on picking up an NFL offense and improving his mechanics, while Detroit can get a look at a potential long-term passer. I had a mid Round 2 grade on him, so this was solid value."
NFL.com (Chad Reuter)
Grade: B+
"After trading away T.J. Hockenson last season, the Lions selected another former Hawkeye tight end in LaPorta, a very good receiver with the agility to win at all three levels. Branch was a first-round talent as a nickel safety, but he didn’t impress with his speed at the combine. Giving up a fifth-round pick to trade up for him in Round 2 was reasonable. Landing Hendon Hooker in the third round was a steal, even though he’s coming off an ACL tear. He will be a strong backup for Jared Goff and could become the starter down the road. Martin can turn into an excellent nose tackle in the NFL because of his pure girth and mobility, though I was surprised Detroit gave up a couple fifth-round picks to move up for him."
Western Kentucky defensive tackle Brodric Martin
© Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
The Athletic (Scott Dochterman)
On LaPorta: "It’s coincidental that LaPorta essentially replaces Hockenson, who was traded to Minnesota last midseason. There’s some question about why LaPorta over Michael Mayer, who also was available. But both were Mackey Award finalists, and it came down to preference." Grade: B+
On Branch: "The Lions jumped up three spots to grab perhaps the most versatile defensive back in the draft and continue reshaping their secondary. ... Branch (5-11 5/8, 190) possesses average speed (4.58 in the 40) and put up 14 reps of 225 pounds on the bench. He’s a physical tackler and fought through injuries last year, which impacted Alabama’s defense. Branch does have positional flexibility and can play corner, safety or nickel from day one. He’s a perfect fit for Aaron Glenn’s defense, and the value is off the charts as (Dane) Brugler’s No. 17-ranked player." Grade: A+
On Hooker: "Perhaps the Lions’ first-round picks were considered reaches. But in the third round, the Lions picked their potential quarterback of the future and afforded him the opportunity to redshirt while rehabbing from a torn ACL. Can you say win-win-win? ... His ACL tear might end up as a blessing for both Hooker and the Lions. There won’t be any pressure to play him, and he can learn the offensive intricacies in both practice and in the video room for a year." Grade: A+
On Martin: "The Lions needed a big, physical defensive tackle to rotate, but they gave up a ton to select a player graded as a seventh-rounder by Brugler. The Lions dealt a fourth-rounder and two fifths to move up late in the third round. ... Martin has gigantic arms (35) and a wingspan to match (83 ¼ inches) and plays with physicality. But, wow, that was a ton for a non-combine invite. He’s either a big-time steal or a reach longer than Martin’s wingspan." Grade: D
Pro Football Focus (PFF Editorial Team)
On LaPorta: "Detroit shocks the football world once again by taking tight end Sam LaPorta over Notre Dame’s Michael Mayer at Pick 34. The Iowa product plays an incredibly physical game, something head coach Dan Campbell covets at every position. LaPorta is a high-quality athlete and an after-the-catch weapon. His 368 yards after the catch and 20 missed tackles forced were both top-three marks among FBS tight ends in 2022." Pick grade: Average
On Branch: "The Lions have made several big “reaches” already in this draft based on PFF and consensus big boards, but they get one of the better values here with Branch. He’s the best nickel prospect in this draft class and one of the best tackling defensive backs since PFF began tracking college football in 2014 (2% missed tackle rate)." Pick grade: Elite
On Hooker: "Lions QB Jared Goff has two years remaining on his contract, so the Lions are wise to draft a potential successor behind him. Hooker fell in the draft after an unfortunate ACL tear at the end of the 2022 season that took him out of a Heisman race, but he earned a 93.4 passing grade on deep throws and is great in a clean pocket. If he can improve under pressure once healthy, he could prove to be a great pick." Pick grade: Good
On Martin: "The 163rd overall player on the PFF Big Board, this is a bit of a reach for the Lions, but Martin is a big player who can fill a role in the middle of their defensive line at 6-foot-5 and 330 pounds. Despite his size, he graded out better as a pass-rusher than a run defender in college and won 9.4% of his pass-rushing snaps in 2022." Pick grade: Below average
CBS Sports (Chris Trapasso)
On LaPorta: "YAC monster, big-time athlete, strong hands. Gave me George Kittle vibes. Easy fit into the vacancy created by T.J. Hockenson trade." Grade: A
On Branch: "Best tackling defensive back I've ever scouted. Instinctive playmaker in coverage at intermediate level. Extensive slot defender experience. Just a lesser athlete. Will be fun with Chauncey Gardner-Johnson." Grade: A
On Hooker: "This is closer to where I had him graded. Pocket passer with some athleticism but won't run away from NFL defenders. Accuracy and arm strength are good, not great. Threw to many wide open receivers in college. Somewhat of a strange long-term option at QB given his age. Exudes leadership. Teddy Bridgewater type" Grade: B-
On Martin: "Huge, overwhelming NT with crazy length he knows how to use well. Very limited athleticism and juice up the field but he will overwhelm with power at times. Gets off blocks well against the run. Very old prospect too. High pad level saps some of his power. The trade up lowers this grade more." Grade: D+
