2024 Draft

Supposedly they are interviewing Greg Roman. You hire Greg Roman for Justin Fields not to develop Maye or Williams.

3 Likes

If they go that route just think of the draft haul they could get with their #1 and even their #9. They could literally be set for years and get Nix later. Whatā€™s your thoughts on Khyree Jackson? Not early but with like our second pick in the 3rd.

I like Khyree and would even be fine with our first 3rd to get him if needed

That would be my preference

Agreed. This is why I like Byron Murphy, who I really do not think will be at our pick in round 1, if soā€¦he and Alim rushing the passer from the interior would be a nice pairing. However, both of them are 3T guys, so you can make a case that Murphy is redundant on Alim. But, you can also make a case that you can never have enough pass rushers, especially guys who can do it from the interior.

The idea of Sweat is he can play NT while still giving you that pocket push. But, he is a projection. If you look at him in high school until now, which he is 5th year Senior, its a remarkable change. That, combined with rumored dedication and bad habit issues? My main concern is if Sweat takes to some coaching and is dedicated and has a motor (is that conditioning, or a motor issues, or both?) he is someone that has a high floor and ceiling.

But, there is a lot of projection. Its something where interviewed and tough questions about his drive and dedication will be key. If he shows up like Jalen Carter to the Senior Bowl, yeahā€¦he could be in for a real fall on draft day. Then again, he might be anyways because he has had five years in college to get it together.

Aa much as I am speculating, i see the high floor and potential upside. And if youre an interior OL guy, you dont want to see a Tvondre Sweat that has gotten his stuff together.

Right now, i wouldnā€™t take him in round one.

As for Corner, I fully expect Holmes to add a free agent CB, or trade for one. Maybe it isnt an ā€œAā€ player, but a solid ā€œBā€ guy that fits. I then see him drafting a CB at some point. We cant afford to rely on a rookie to ā€œsolidifyā€ things on any part of the roster in my opinion. That does not mean be reckless and you cant also build for the long-term. Drafting and developing keeps your roster trending upwards over that the longer term, and we will continue to do that. Now, I could see us liking CB Quinyon Mitchell, so if he is there for us in round one (even after signing or trading for a CB), i could see us drafting him in round one.

That said, I hope we arent going to rely on a rookie CB to solidify our CB position. Unless it is a cant-miss CB, who would usually go in the top 15, there will be development needed more then likely.

One other avenue to upgrade this roster is the 2025 trade deadline.

Maybe we nab a CB this way?

Maybe its another position group?

I see most here are in agreement that CB, IOL, and DL/EDGE are the three paramount position groups to address.

That is fantastic, however it is done.

Personally, I think it would be foolish to pass on Caleb Williams. But its the Bears, so I hope they are foolish. :laughing:

1 Like

My current guesswork about the recent speculation on the thread ā€¦

Each cycle, Holmes tends to target some positions and de-prioritise others. Itā€™s quite an odd strategy really. After 3 drafts, the one noticeable area heā€™s not invested is at outside corner. And itā€™s pretty easy for him to come to the conclusion that our weakness at outside corner is a direct result of this neglect. Furthermore, heā€™s tried to go into the draft without a glaring need - so Iā€™d guess heā€™ll invest at corner in FA and try to secure someone who is an obvious candidate to start.

For me, the Lions have other needs too. We could use help on the defensive line and also on the offensive line. But Holmes has invested on the defensive line and he tends to give his own guys time. I like the idea of Tā€™Vondre Sweat but I really canā€™t see him going in that directed so soon after taking Brodric. Iā€™d say offensive line is more likely given that Holmes hasnā€™t really invested much in that direction since the Sewell pick. This said, their biggest need up front is arguably at guard and swing tackle and I donā€™t think you can plough high end resources into that position given they may well resign Glasgow and Jonah and especially when corner is such an issue. So ultimately Iā€™d guess that the trenches will have to wait until later in the draft when theyā€™re confident that the outside corner position is considerably overhauled for the better. Itā€™s a big priority given our performance on the field - but also because Holmes can tell himself that this weakness is the direct result of him not drafting in that direction (which is largely true if not perhaps the whole story).

I just think thereā€™s therefore a strong chance that they really throw resources at outside corner to try to fix what is the most glaring issue on the team. Even if they sign Snead in FA (which will be difficult and expensive) I really donā€™t see that this precludes them from looking at corner in round 1. I like Sutton and I know that the prevailing wisdom is that heā€™s a CB2 being asked to play CB1. But heā€™s been exposed really quite badly and thereā€™s the impression that weā€™ve tried to patch up the corner position and itā€™s the most likely spot thatā€™s going to prove our downfall this season - itā€™s a mild surprise that it hasnā€™t done so already. Weā€™re at least solid everywhere else on the roster. And I think weā€™d all feel a lot more secure going into next season with a sense that Sutton had a fight on his hands to even start and that someone like Sutton was a versatile depth piece capable of starting but not guaranteed to do so. Imagine a situation where Sutton was basically in the Will Harris role and how much more confident weā€™d be about our secondary if that were the case. You could also argue that improving the secondary also improves the pass rush. Ultimately, the way I see it you could make the case that even if we add Snead - our biggest hole would still be at corner both in terms of starter and depth.

It just seems like a Holmes move to me to really go after outside corner so that - whatever happens - no-one can claim that it was left unaddressed. Iā€™d guess heā€™ll aim to turn it into a strength rather than try to patch it up. And that means at least 2 high calibre players who are capable of starting to add. So my own hunch is that heā€™s more likely to over-invest than under-invest at outside corner.

So -everything being equal- my own strategy today would be to go big on corner in FA and then again at the top of the draft. They can add some pieces to the offensive and defensive lines on day 2.

You donā€™t view the Mosely and Sutton signings as targeting outside corner? Then Branch and Duce for two other secondary targets giving us four additions to the defensive backfield overall

1 Like

There are some that feel that way about Maye too

Itā€™s the first time we get to look at some of the smaller school guys, and in a high-pressure environment against the cream of the crop. I agree itā€™s by far the best evaluation arena in the pre-draft process (and the Shrine, Hula, Tropicana bowls, etcā€¦). And itā€™s actual football, not an underwear show (well, after the first day).

Plus, itā€™s proven to be a fantastic indicator of future success.

Fred Warner and Aaron Donald were dominant, look at them now. Shaq Leonard crushed it, Jayden Reed and Tank Dell were 3 day superstars last year, while Puka was great in his only day of practice. Deebo, Rhamondre Stevenson, Quinn Meinerz, Dak Prescott, Kareem Hunt, Montez Sweat, Cooper Kupp, Terry McLaurin, Javon Hargrave, Khalil Herbert, Osa Odighizuwa, Jordan Love, Hasaan Redick, Swaggy, Evan Engram, Kevin Byard, Jonathan Jones, were all listed as multiple day winners by more than one site.

If you can thrive in that environment, it certainly looks like you can thrive in the league.

The only guy I can really remember who was an all-week standout and went on to have a meh career was Rock Ya-Sin, and at least heā€™s stuck around. Maybe Richie Grant, Will Hernandez, Denzel Mims and Dā€™Wayne Eskridge too, though they sprinkled in down days with their dominance iirc. Iā€™m sure there are others I donā€™t remember.

First round talent who likely falls due to age (25 by the time the season starts) and janky profile.

I think he intended to address it last year, with a very high capital pick.

Then the Seahawks sniped us and took Witherspoon.

Get Sneed and pick him up with that Vikings 3rd and the CBs looking alot better with Sneed/Sutton/Jackson/Vildor/Gilmore/etc

If thatā€™s the way we go, Iā€™d be very happy. Thereā€™s a few round 3 guys I like but donā€™t want them to have to come in as starters (Along with Jackson, Cam Hart, Johnny Dixon, Sainristil, James, Newton, etcā€¦). Much better in your scenario.

Far From Home GIF by Spider-Man
Aunt Maye was awesome.

1 Like

You donā€™t view the Mosely and Sutton signings as targeting outside corner? Then Branch and Duce for two other secondary targets giving us four additions to the defensive backfield overall<

At outside corner? No. Itā€™s half assed. The Lions had #6 and #18 overall. Seemingly once Witherspoon was gone, Holmes passed on outside corner at both spots. And then again with two picks in round 2.

Everyone knew Sutton was an honest player and very decent who struggled against top level talent. At 28 he wasnā€™t suddenly going to be a CB1 - the Steelers are still short at corner. Everyone knew Moseley was a very talented injury risk. And we let Okudah go, who was probably their best corner last year. Of our starting crew at outside corner, we lost one guy - Moseley: a guy who was already injured when they signed him, got injured again in camp and then was injured within 2-3 snaps of playing. Itā€™s not like theyā€™ve been unlucky - this was all pretty predictable.

Outside corner is an important position and whilst some attempt was made - it wasnā€™t adequately addressed partly because I suspect the plan was to draft Witherspoon. Losing one very injury prone corner who youā€™ve bet on is bad planning. Losing him and then another starting level corner is more bad luck.

I donā€™t expect Holmes to make the same mistake again. And I donā€™t really see how anyone could deny this given whatā€™s happening on the field.

I like him but will not make it past rd2 an that may be to late for Lions

I wouldnā€™t be shocked they resign Mosely for cheap one year.

I think he has a chance to make it past the 2nd due to his age (25 by the time the season starts) and his strange college journey.

He had 1 int and 1 PD vs teams that were ranked at the end of the year. But, he also had a QB rating when targeted of 44.2, and thatā€™s outstanding. So, I guess itā€™s what you see. I have to say Iā€™m never concerned about a players age because why would you be? If you are ever counting on a player to get a 2nd contract you made a mistake. If you expect them to, thatā€™s fine. If you are counting on it, good luck.

How long does it take you to look at one CB?