I saw this earlier tonight and just about fell out of my chair. These guys have Kyle Hamilton as the best player in the league under 25. Not sure I would trade Branch or Joseph for him.
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Many experts consider the Pittsburgh Steelers to have had the best draft class in NFL history as they selected four players later inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame (Lynn Swann, Jack Lambert, John Stallworth, and Mike Webster). A fifth Hall of Famer, Donnie Shell, was signed by Pittsburgh after going unselected in the draft.[4] The closest any other team has come to this success in a draft is the Dallas Cowboysā 1964 draft, when three Hall of Famers were taken (Roger Staubach, Mel Renfro, and Bob Hayes.[5]The Green Bay Packers also selected three Hall of Famers in 1958 (Jim Taylor, Ray Nitschke, and Jerry Kramer).
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I think itās debatable as to which of Bradās draft is best and depends on what criteria you apply. The positional value types would likely put '23 behind both '22 and '21. '21 is probably the most impressive return on draft capital and '23 has the slight blemish of a middling round 3. Iāve been a Kerby honk since he still played at Illinois and I think Jamo is about to become an absolute superstar so '22 is probably my personal favorite draft. That may also be bc Jamo and Kerby are probably my favorite Lions.
But while '22 may be my favorite draft, I think when considering all factors 2021 is probably the most impressive draft. Sewell may retire as one of the five best tackles of All Time if blessed with good health. Finding a top 5ish WR and top 5ish 3T as late as they did is just such silly value. I was also a big Barnes guy going into that draft and if he does get to rush the passer as much as we think he might and has success doing so then he becomes a unicorn at SAM.
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Nailed itā¦I canāt decide either.
Great stuff @CuriousHusker
The 74 Steelers always come to mind when someone asks about the ābest draft ever.ā The success is undeniable. However, I also think the āwinningā put the group on a pedestal they would not have had on a bad/mediocre team.
When evaluating the ābest drafts,ā I think its FUN to debate the criteria. A true right or wrong answer doesnāt exist. Its all about perspective and criteria. Is it about star power on the top end? Is it about getting contributions from the most players in a single draft? When it comes to having drafting the most players who earned 2nd contracts, Bob Quinn has a draft class that is worth mentioning. If its about top end talent, the Ravens took Jonathan Ogden and Ray Lewis in the same draft. The Bears took Dick Butkus and Gale Sayers in the same draft (and never made a playoff game with them). The Bucs took Warren Sapp and Derrick Brooks in the same draft.
Like alot of Lions fans, I have been a draft nerd for a long time. It has always been our Super Bowl. What Brad has been able to do is nothing short of amazing. He has been able to grab top end talent while also blending in a deep pool of contributors. We will need to win a Super Bowl for history to remember how great Brad Holmes was at aquiring talent. But those that knowā¦know.
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One other thing to consider is that finding gems later in the draft is now considerably harder to do. 50 years ago there was so much inefficiency and so many blind spots in terms of a teamās draft knowledge. Now every team knows about every prospect. So it probably best to keep it a discussion of comparing modern drafts. Though I have no clue when that cutoff should be.
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Welp, they gotta beat this draft
EDIT
Yeah, beat me to it. 74 steelers.
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When ESPN first televised the draft.
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I look forward to decades of debate.
Greatest Lions draft class ever.
Put me down as team 2021. But I could be swayed by the 23ers.
Weāre watching the prime fellas. Window should be open for a couple years.
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Perhaps longer if Brad continues his drafting ways. Why canāt we be the Baltimore Ravens?
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ā¦like 10. 
probably more
ā¦cuz weāre better looking than them and weāll win more
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Hereās a more detailed breakdown by year:
- 2021:
Penei Sewell (OT), Levi Onwuzurike (DT), Alim McNeill (DT), Ifeatu Melifonwu (DB), Amon-Ra St. Brown (WR), Derrick Barnes (LB), Jermar Jefferson (RB).
- 2022:
Aidan Hutchinson (DE), Jameson Williams (WR), Josh Paschal (DE), Malcolm Rodriguez (LB).
- 2023:
Jahmyr Gibbs (RB), Sam LaPorta (TE), Brian Branch (S), Jack Campbell (LB), Hendon Hooker (QB), Brodric Martin (DT).
- 2024:
Terrion Arnold (CB). Manu, Vaki, Wingo
- 2025:
Tyleik Williams (DT), Miles Frazier (OL), Ahmed Hassanein (DL), Dan Jackson (S), Dominic Lovett (WR).
Same bro
And Branch
And Gibbs
And Arnold
And Saint
And Sewell
And Hutch
And DMONT, Jack, Rodrigo, Laporta, McNeil, Anzalone, Decker.
Lots of love for Leaf. Barnes. Glasgow.
Amik is a dawg. Patrick dawg.
Shoutout Ragnow.
Soon to be DJ Reed, Tyleik, Mahogs, Tate, Teslaa.
Davenport if he stays healthy could skyrocket.
ZDarius if/when he comes back.
Thank you CD3 and Zeitler and Reader.
Low key Reeves Maybin, Deshon Elliot and Comisnky tooā¦ likely Stuard & Lopez.
Skip! Skip! Skip!
Iffy if he gets a comp pick.
Levi totally redeems and explodes this year and then a big comp pick.
Oh and Ja-red-Goff.
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Without looking at the entirety of that draft offhand one can argue that all would go top 15 in a redraft which is ridiculous.
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to the original topic congrats to Branch and Kerby!
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Hey all, new here. Love the Lions though Iām a Titans fan. But Iām also a semi-pro bettor who does extensive research on every team. You guys have one of the best defensive backfields in football when healthy. How is your depth, esp at safety?
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Safety depth is Avonte Maddox, and rookie Dan Jackson.
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Iād say the depth isnāt great overall. Hopefully neither of the top two guys gets hurt.