The Detroit Lions have long been a laughingstock within the NFL, but the narrative has started to change over the last couple of years. Starting in 2021 with the hiring of GM Brad Holmes and Coach Dan Campbell, the Lions have been shaping into a tough and talented team.
With Sheila Ford providing stability in the ownership, Holmes and Campbell have been allowed to work their magic.
Most Impactful Moves Made By Holmes and Campbell
Trading Matthew Stafford to the Rams
I am a big fan of Matthew Stafford, but it was time for both him and the Lions to part ways and it has worked out for both parties. However it should not be lost that it took guts to trade the franchise player for a player (Jared Goff) that the Rams didn’t value and for three picks.
After the Lions traded the picks a few times you can see the complete package that Matthew Stafford brought from his trade (*Note* this is after they made some trades with the draft picks they acquired):
- QB Jared Goff – A solid QB that has been a perfect fit for the team
- DB Ifeatu Melifonwu – he was drafted in the 3rd round in 2021. Has not solidified a spot on the roster, but has played in 17 games over the past two years.
- WR Jameson Williams – A high end prospect that was drafted in the first round in 2022. Unfortunately due to one reason or another he has failed to be on the field or produce any meaningful numbers. He still has time to make an impact.
- DE Josh Paschal – a second round pick in 2022, he has potential and is a contributor to the team as a backup.
- RB Jahmyr Gibbs – 1st round pick in 2023. Gibbs is explosive and is considered a big piece of the future.
- TE Sam LaPorta – selected in 2nd round of the 2023 draft. LaPorta already has a big role in the Lions offense and looks to be an important player for years to come.
- DT Brodic Martin – drafted in the 3rd round of the 2023 draft. Martin has the size and strength to be a rotational player in the future although he is currently out of the rotation.
As you can see, by trading their Franchise player the Lions were able to recoup another starting QB in Jared Goff and multiple draft picks that they turned into even more draft picks with trades.
Drafting Wisely
Any team that has sustained success in the NFL has to string together good draft classes. That is exactly what GM Brad Holmes and Coach Dan Campbell have done. Previous regimes routinely went for “flashy” picks that too often flamed out, while the current regime drafts for substance and results.
Homes and Campbell have many good draft picks in their three drafts together, but here are a few of the key players they have drafted:
2021
- RT Penei Sewell – Drafting an offensive lineman in the first round with their first pick at number 7 was a statement. This regime understands that to have a strong team you have to be strong on the Offensive and Defensive lines. Sewell is one of the best Right Tackles in the game and has many more years to come in a Lions uniform.
- WR Amon-Ra St. Brown – Taken in the 4th round, St. Brown is quite simply a steal. He is a star slot receiver in the NFL and has already made the Pro Bowl. He is the go to receiver on offense.
- LB Derrick Barnes – Drafted in the 4th round, Barnes has become a dependable player that is a solid starter or rotational player. He is a player that good teams have to have to fill out the depth chart.
- DT Alim McNeil – Drafted in the third round, McNeil has helped the Lions become one of the best teams in the NFL at stopping the run. Although he is not a great pass rusher, his run-stopping ability is a key to the Lions defense.
2022
- DE Aidan Hutchinson – Hutchinson was drafted with the second pick in the first round and is possibly the most important player on the Lions roster. Not only is he impactful on the field, he is one of those players that seem to have the “it” factor. His confidence, dedication, drive, and passion had empowered him and the rest of the Lions. It is no coincidence that the Lions turned into a playoff caliber team the year that they drafted Hutchinson.
- LB James Houston – Houston is a pass rushing specialist that was drafted in the 6th round, but made a huge impact in his rookie year. Along with Hutchinson, Houston gave opposing offensive lines trouble protecting their QBs. His fractured ankle early this season will keep him out for most of the season, but the Lions look forward to his return.
- S Kerby Joseph – The impactful safety was drafted in the third round and he is an important starter in the secondary for the Lions. Joseph is a key young starter that will help this defense continue to improve.
- LB Malcolm Rodriguez – Drafted in the 6th round, Rodriguez immediately became a star on the show Hard Knocks which showed the hard work and passion of the gritty linebacker. Whether he is starting or coming off the bench, he is a key young rotational player for the Lions.
- DE Josh Paschal – a 2nd round pick, Paschal is steady as a starter or a rotational piece. The Lions hope Paschal turns a corner and develops into a bona fide starter opposite Hutchinson, but he is a key rotational piece regardless.
2023
- TE Sam LaPorta – LaPorta fills a need after the Lions traded starter T.J. Hockenson last season. It is early, but LaPorta has filled in nicely as both a receiver and a blocker from the TE position.
- RB Jahmyr Gibbs – Gibbs was a surprising first round pick of the Detroit Lions. Not because he doesn’t have the talent, but because of how high he was drafted and the Lions seeming lack of need at the position. However, the Lions hope that Gibbs can fill a role similar to Alvin Kamara in New Orleans where he is a versatile back that can also line up at receiver and make catches.
- LB Jack Campbell – Campbell was drafted in the first round and immediately earned a starting spot in training camp. He is a big, strong linebacker that can help defend the running game, but is also versatile enough to play on downs requiring him to cover running backs and tight ends in the passing game. He will be a starter for years to come.
- DB Brian Branch – Branch is a stud that fell to the Lions in the 2nd round. He has already earned starters reps and if he can keep his current pace he could compete for Defensive rookie of the year honors! He is the complete package in the secondary.
- QB Hendon Hooker – Smart pick by the Lions in the 3rd round. Hooker only fell this far due to a knee injury he suffered towards the end of his Senior year in college. Whether Hooker develops into a starter or is a strong backup for Jared Goff, he has the talent to fill the key position of a QB for the Lions.
Free Agent Signings
The Lions have not focused on Free Agency as much as the draft in their team building strategy. That is smart by the Lions as most of the good teams use Free Agency to fill important roles, but build most of their teams through the draft.
Here are some key free agency signing by Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell:
2021
- RB Jamaal Williams – Williams was a great signing and scored 17 touchdowns for the Lions in 2022!
- WR Kalif Raymond – A solid signing. Raymond is a rotational piece in the receiving dept and acts as a deep threat for the Lions. He earned a second contract.
- LB Alex Anzalone – Anzalone has become a dependable starter for the Lions and earned additional contracts from them.
2022
- WR DJ Chark – Chark was injured for some of the year, but he was a big and impactful outside receiver for the Lions when healthy.
- CB Mike Hughes – a rotational piece for the Lions, Hughes helped Detroit make a push for the playoffs last year.
- DT Isaiah Buggs – A run stuffing defensive tackle that ended up earning an additional contract
2023
- DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson – Garner-Johnson was impactful right away for the Lions. He is a versatile, high level defender that also brought some more swagger to the Lions. Unfortunately he was injured in week 2 and may miss most of the season with a torn pectoral muscle.
- CB Camerson Sutton – adding an established starter in the secondary is always helpful and Sutton will take pressure off of the young safeties. He signed a three year contract.
- RB David Montgomery – A talented running back that will serve as the early down back as a replacement for Jamaal Williams. He will take the bulk of the carries and try to wear out the defense.
- OL Graham Glasgow – Glasgow came back for his second stint with the Lions. He is a versatile lineman that can play either guard position or center and is a quality insurance policy for the offensive line.
Overview of the Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are being built correctly from the ground up by Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell who focused on the offensive and defensive lines, QB, and defensive secondary in building a competitive team.
Take a look at the last five Super Bowl Winners:
- Kansas City
- Los Angeles Rams
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Kansas City Chiefs
- New England Patriots
If you take a look at these teams they have a few things in common:
- Excellent QB Play – From the GOAT Tom Brady to the current best QB in Patrick Mahomes to star veteran Matthew Stafford, it seems that a good QB is required to win the Super Bowl most years.
- The Lions have Jared Goff who is annually underrated. He is still only 28 years old and improving each year. He is generally considered a top ten quarterback among current QBs and if the Lions get a productive outside receiver his ranking could grow even more.
- Disruptive Pass Rush – 2, 3, 5, 11, 31 (rank in number of sacks per year by the last 5 Super Bowl winners)
- You can see the rank in number of sacks per team of the Super Bowl winners over the last five years is usually toward the top of the league. The only outlier is the New England Patriots in 2018, but they did have Tom Brady.
- The Lions have the first key to a dominant pass rush with a dominant pass rusher in DE Aidan Hutchinson. They need to add some pass rushing pieces around him, but if James Houston can get healthy and they add another pass rusher, this unit could be a top 10 unit.
- You can see the rank in number of sacks per team of the Super Bowl winners over the last five years is usually toward the top of the league. The only outlier is the New England Patriots in 2018, but they did have Tom Brady.
- Good Offensive Line Play – no matter the QB or skill position players, if they don’t have time, then they cannot be effective. All of the past five Super Bowl winning teams had above average offensive lines
- The Lions have one of the best offensive lines in football starting with Right Tackle Penei Sewell and Center Frank Ragnow. They will need to continue to add young talent to the offensive line, but they have a strong base already.
The Lions are the 11th youngest team in the NFL and many of their star players are on their first contracts.
Check out the age (at beginning of 2023 season) and position played by some of the Lions most important players:
- Jared Goff – QB – 28 years old
- Jahmyr Gibbs – RB – 21 years old
- David Montgomery – RB – 26 years old
- Amon-Ra St. Brown – WR – 23 years old
- Sam LaPorta – TE – 22 years old
- Frank Ragnow – Center – 27 years old
- Penei Sewell – Right Tackle – 22 years old
- Aidan Hutchinson – DE – 23 years old
- Alim McNeil – DT – 23 years old
- Jack Campbell – LB – 23 years old
- James Houston – LB – 24 years old
- Cameron Sutton – CB – 27 years old
- Brian Branch – S – 21 years old
- Kerby Joseph – S – 22 years old
The Lions are expected to make the playoffs in 2023 and maybe even win their Division. With a few additions in 2024 such as pass rush help and a big, jump ball specialist at one of the outside receiver spots, the Lions could do much more than just make the playoffs in 2024 and 2025!
What are your thoughts? Do you think the Lions will win the Super Bowl in the next 3 years?
