Roundtable: Lions' 2023 NFL Draft Sets Team Up for Super Bowl Run
1.) What was your overall impression of the Lions' 2023 draft?
Vito Chirco: I don't think Brad Holmes aced this year's draft, but he still produced a decent haul for the Lions with the eight selections he made.
Sure, he reached for some players, like running back Jahmyr Gibbs and linebacker Jack Campbell in the first round and defensive tackle Brodrick Martin in the third round. However, to Holmes' credit, he also added a multitude of players that can contribute right away. The list includes Gibbs and Campbell, as well as two of his Day 2 selections in tight end Sam LaPorta and defensive back Brian Branch.
You can make the argument that each of Holmes' first four picks – Gibbs, Campbell, LaPorta and Branch – will log meaningful snaps this upcoming season for a Detroit team that will be playing past Week 18. That fact alone strengthens the quality of Holmes' draft haul.
So, despite Holmes and the Lions not doing a great job of maximizing their value with each pick, I'll give the organization a "B-" for the 2023 draft.
John Maakaron: I was very impressed with how Detroit's general manager and the personnel department maneuvered through this year's draft.
Mark my words, these picks, along with the past two draft classes, will set the stage for this team to win many playoff games on their way to a Super Bowl appearance.
The team has improved at multiple different positions, and even was able to move on from a player that was not deemed part of the future.
Many will debate where certain players were selected, but the team believes the players added will be able to step foot on the field and help the team win. It is hard to argue that the team's first four picks won't succeed early in their careers.
2.) Who was the Lions' best selection?
Chirco: I'm going to go with Alabama defensive back Brian Branch. Picking him in the second round at No. 45 overall was great value, as it was widely believed that he could've gone in the first round. In fact, prior to the draft, many pundits had the Crimson Tide product going to the Lions at No. 18 overall.
The versatile defensive back excelled at nickel corner during his time at Alabama. During the 2022 season, he produced an impressive 89.5 Pro Football Focus pass-coverage grade, while allowing 36 receptions on 416 coverage snaps. It is a well-known fact that he also has the ability to line up at safety at the next level.
With Branch, you can now argue that the Lions' defensive backs group is a strength – and for the first time in a long time.
For all the above reasons, I label his selection as the best of Detroit's 2023 draft.
Maakaron: I think running back Jahymr Gibbs is going to shine in this offense. He is a home-run threat who can break tackles and get into the second level.
I am impressed with his versatility, and Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson must be drawing up plays as we speak for a player who will make the phrase "positional value" disappear.
3.) Which selection left you scratching your head?
Chirco: I'm not going to lie. When I first heard Gibbs' name announced at No. 12, I was a bit confused. At the time, I wasn't sure why the Lions would burn such a valuable pick on a running back who clearly wasn't the best in the 2023 draft class. That distinction belonged to Texas running back Bijan Robinson.
However, after some time went by and I started to hear what Holmes and Lions head coach Dan Campbell were saying about Gibbs, the selection made more sense.
Campbell & Co. view Gibbs as an elite offensive weapon who can make an impact as both a runner and receiver. He can effectively run inside and outside, and is electric whenever he gets the ball in his hands. And most importantly, he can be a "home-run hitter" for the Lions' offense.
Additionally, once D'Andre Swift was traded on Saturday, the pick of Gibbs made even more sense.
I wouldn't personally have selected the Alabama back with the No. 12 pick. However, at least he'll be a major factor in Detroit's offense from day one, and he has the potential to take Ben Johnson's unit to the next level.
Alabama Crimson Tide running back Jahmyr Gibbs
Gary Cosby Jr., USA TODAY Sports
Maakaron: I was left scratching my head at the selection of offensive lineman Colby Sorsdal, simply because I had not come across his name all that often.
There were more talented linemen early in the draft, and many of the networks just skipped through Sorsdal's selection. Our vast photo system had no record of a photograph being uploaded. I can understand, since William & Mary is not a hotbed for football. It goes to show you that the pre-draft all-star games can get you noticed by NFL teams.
His film is impressive. But, he will need to develop many facets of his game, if he is going to make the team coming out of training camp.
4.) Who is a player the Lions will regret not drafting?
Chirco: I'm going to say Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter. The Lions could've had him at No. 6 overall, and instead traded out of the pick and allowed the Bulldogs defensive lineman to fall to the Eagles at No. 9 overall.
If you look past Carter's off-the-field baggage, you can make the argument that he was the best defensive prospect – and even overall prospect – from this year's draft class. And, at the very least, he was undoubtedly the best interior defensive lineman that this year's class had to offer.
Then, after passing on him, Detroit decided to wait until the third round – and pick No. 96 overall – to select Western Kentucky defensive tackle Brodric Martin. Lions general manager Brad Holmes parted with three picks to trade up and draft the lineman, who offers little-to-nothing as a pass rusher and was given a seventh-round pre-draft grade by a variety of pundits.
Martin is a significant downgrade from Carter, and to me, the Lions still have a glaring hole along the interior of their defensive line. That wouldn't have been the case if they would've just taken the Georgia D-lineman at No. 6.
Maakaron: I think it would have been correct for the team to use some draft capital to move up to get Will Anderson. He appears to be a perfect fit for what Detroit's defense is trying to accomplish.
While the cost may have been steep, the ultimate reward of winning many playoff games and turning your defense into a dominant force may have been worth it.
5.) Was it the right time to trade D'Andre Swift?
Chirco: I believe it was. Swift is entering the final year of his contract. And, from all accounts, the Lions weren't seriously considering giving him a new contract.
Since being drafted in 2020, he's proven time and time again that he can't handle the duties of a No. 1 back. He's often injured, and has yet to stay healthy for a full season. Additionally, he's still not the best at identifying holes and following blocks.
The true indicator to the fact that Swift's time in Detroit was done, though, was the organization's decision to use a first-round pick on Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs.
It sealed Swift's fate, and ensured there was no better time than now to move on from the 2020 second-round pick.
Maakaron: Absolutely. One of the clear indications the team was moving on was Gibbs' selection in the first round of the draft.
Detroit has made it clear that if a player is not available to practice on a regular basis, the willingness to move forward with that player diminishes.
Credit to Detroit's front office for quickly moving on from players that do not appear to fit the culture and/or will not consistently be available to help the team win.
