Lions’ challenge of finding instant impact in 2024 Draft is what GM Holmes likes to see
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A few snippetts:
The lifeblood of the Detroit Lions’ successful, three-year rebuild has unquestionably been the NFL draft.
In 2021, rookie general manager Brad Holmes kick-started the franchise’s turnaround with the selections of offensive tackle Penei Sewell, defensive tackle Alim McNeill and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. That season, no team got more snaps out of their first-year players than Detroit.
Holmes followed that up with more instant impact in 2022. That year’s crop of draft picks combined to start 52 games, led by defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, safety Kerby Joseph and linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez.
And even with the roster looking more complete than the previous two seasons heading into the 2023 Draft, Holmes still managed to find massive contributions from the likes of running back Jahmyr Gibbs, tight end Sam LaPorta, defensive back Brian Branch and linebacker Jack Campbell
Holmes compared the upcoming draft to his time in LA althought it’s a bit different in Detroit…
Holmes specifically referenced the addition of offensive tackle Joesph Notebloom in the 2018 Draft. The Rams already had starters in place at tackle, with Andrew Whitworth and Rob Havenstein, so Notebloom was able to develop at a deliberate pace, playing just 78 offensive snaps as a reserve in his first season.
There was something similar with Detroit’s third-round choice in 2023, with defensive tackle Brodric Martin. Despite being available all season, he only saw action in three games.
That said, even if roster holes are less apparent heading into this draft, Holmes was quick to remind how quickly those perceptions can change. For example, Branch wasn’t expected to be a starter to open last season, but he forced his way into the Week 1 slot-corner job with his practice performance. The Lions won’t hesitate to do something similar if a 2024 draft pick proves to be the best option at his position through the offseason program.
“You don’t know how that rookie is gonna really develop,” Holmes said. “We try to do the best we can. I feel very confident in our process in forecasting that stuff, but, end of the day, man, it’s just hard to bank on that stuff.”