Friday, March 31, 2023

Morning Lions Links for Friday 3-31-23

Articles:

Filling holes in free agency allows Lions to draft best player available:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/filling-holes-in-free-agency-allows-lions-to-draft-best-player-available

Film Review: Breaking down new Lions WR Marvin Jones:  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2023/03/30/lion-marvin-jones-jaguars-film-review/

Kerby Joseph Believes He Could've Intercepted Rodgers Six Times:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/kerby-joseph-discusses-aaron-rodgers

What They're Saying: Dan Campbell, Brad Holmes, Rod Wood:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/what-lions-said-at-2023-annual-meeting

Lions Should Be Featured Heavily in Primetime in 2023:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/lions-will-be-featured-heavily-primetime-2023

3 Burning Questions for Lions Post-Free Agency:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/burning-lions-questions-post-free-agency

Lions 2023 free-agency tracker (Marvin Jones Jr., wide receiver (One-year, $3 million contract that can be worth up to $5 million, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.):  What it means: After losing free agent receiver DJ Chark to the Carolina Panthers, the Lions have reunited with a former player who has proven to be productive in the league and in Detroit. Jones Jr. spent the past two seasons in Jacksonville where he led the squad in receiving yards in 2021. But prior to that, he played a key role in Detroit from 2016-20. Jones enjoyed his career best season in 2017, with 1,101 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. The Lions have added another offensive weapon for Goff who could help replace Chark.  What's the risk: There’s minimal risk with this move, especially on a one-year deal. During the NFL Owner’s meetings, Lions GM Brad Holmes said the front office would monitor the wide receivers’ room after losing Chark and he took one of the best options available via free agency. “You never really can have enough of those guys, just to be honest with you. And just to add more competition, but whether it’s Chark’s skill set or a different flavor, if it’s just the right football player, we’ll definitely continue to monitor that position,” Holmes told reporters.):  https://www.espn.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/38948/detroit-lions-2023-free-agent-signings-cb-cam-sutton-coming-from-steelers-dt-isaiah-buggs-staying

2023 NFL Draft: Ten teams that most need to ace their picks (Detroit Lions (Total draft picks: 8 - Likewise, the Lions have to feel the tides turning in their favor in the NFC North, and not just because of Rodgers. They swept the Packers last season, with both victories coming during Detroit's 8-2 finish down the stretch. GM Brad Holmes has done a remarkable job remaking the roster over the past two years, and he's set his team up for success with the Jared Goff trade netting the Lions an additional first-round pick. They're sitting at Nos. 6 and 18 in Round 1 and have five of the first 81 picks. It's a great time to be a fan of the team.  But there are holes remaining. They could use some more help on defense, even after free agency additions. They probably need a tight end, a receiver, an offensive lineman and maybe a running back. Other spots also could use patching. Each one of their eight selections still matters.  Yet the biggest mystery is at quarterback. Might they consider using a higher pick on one? That's the toughest part, I surmise: knowing when to make a move for the right quarterback. There might be a way to find Goff's potential successor outside of Round 1. If the Lions can nail this draft, they might truly be moving to a place this franchise hasn't been in a long, long time.):  https://www.nfl.com/news/2023-nfl-draft-ten-teams-that-most-need-to-ace-their-picks

Grades:

Walter football (Lions sign WR Marvin Jones (1 year, $3 million): B Grade.  I'm surprised Marvin Jones generated interest from anyone this offseason. He was one of the worst regular receivers in the NFL last year, struggling to get open and failing to produce consistently despite being paired with Trevor Lawrence. At 33, Jones' career seems finished.  I guess the one good thing I can say about this signing is that Jones can be a veteran in the receiver room to help mentor some of the young wideouts on Detroit's roster. It also helps that he's obviously familiar with the Lions, given that he played in Detroit for five years. I don't hate this signing because the Lions won't be hurt by it if/when it fails, but it's hard to be optimistic about it.):  https://walterfootball.com/freeagentsigninggrades.php

2023 NFL Draft:



What Are Michael Mayer’s 4 Best NFL Team Fits? (Detroit Lions - They don’t need Mayer to be what T.J. Hockenson was. With Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams primed to become one of the league’s elite young duos on the outside, and D’Andre Swift backed up by David Montgomery in the ground game, Mayer’s ability to thrive over the intermediate areas of the field would fit seamlessly within an offense that remains extremely underrated.):  https://thedraftnetwork.com/michael-mayer-nfl-draft-packers-saints-lions-bucs/

What Are Darnell Washington’s 4 Best NFL Team Fits? (Detroit Lions - The Lions just traded away their top-tier tight end that brought solid blocking along with excellent pass-catching production to their offense when they sent T.J. Hockenson to the Minnesota Vikings. The backup tight end trio of Brock Wright, Shane Zylstra, and James Mitchell combined for fewer receiving yards in 2022 than Hockenson had in the seven weeks he was still in Detroit. Tight end is a position that’s pretty clearly in need of an upgrade in the wake of the Hockenson trade, and Washington could be a great fit. While wide receivers Jameson Williams and Amon-Ra St. Brown get to work on the outside, Washington would provide quarterback Jared Goff with a big target over the middle. He also wouldn’t stand out as a weak extra blocker on a strong offensive line when asked to stay in-line and block in the run game for backs D’Andre Swift and David Montgomery.):  https://thedraftnetwork.com/darnell-washington-nfl-draft-lions-bengals-dolphins-chargers/

Who Will Be 1st TE Taken In 2023 NFL Draft?:  https://thedraftnetwork.com/nfl-draft-2023-first-te-drafted/

What Are Tyree Wilson’s 4 Best NFL Team Fits? (DETROIT LIONS - The Lions own the No. 6 overall selection in April’s draft. That’s prime Wilson territory. Lions general manager Brad Holmes is expected to draft a defensive difference-maker with the first of his two (No. 18 overall) first-round picks.  The Lions are searching for a long-term running mate to pair with Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate Aidan Hutchinson. Sack production from the EDGE has often eluded the Lions, but Hutchinson’s outstanding rookie campaign signaled a much-welcomed change in fortune. Adding Wilson to the fold would quickly give the Lions an ascending and horrifying one-two punch at EDGE.):  https://thedraftnetwork.com/tyree-wilson-nfl-draft-lions-seahawks-falcons-bears/

3/30 NFL Draft News and Rumors: Anthony Richardson Won’t Dine With Panthers, Hendon Hooker Makes Surprise Appearance, and More (Dan Campbell’s Curious Comments About Jalen Carter - During Tuesday’s iteration of the annual league meeting, Dan Campbell had some interesting comments regarding Jalen Carter while meeting with the media.  “We talked to a teammate of his the other day, and, man, he told us some things we didn’t know,” Campbell told reporters. “That nobody probably would’ve known. It was like, ‘Oh, that’s interesting.'”  When he was asked whether what he’d heard was good or bad, he simply reiterated that it was interesting. The news could have been that he used NIL money to buy a kidney for a friend in need, or the exact opposite.  Wording it the way he did was purposeful. The Detroit Lions pick sixth in the NFL draft, and it would not be the first time a team leaked information or played coy about a situation so a prospect they love falls into their lap.  After all, the Lions added three difference-makers to the secondary this offseason. A defensive line group consisting of Aidan Hutchinson, Carter, Alim McNeill, and John Cominsky, and a host of other solid contributors would be incredibly dangerous to opposing passers. And while the No. 2 CB spot could use an upgrade, Detroit has consistently used capital on offensive and defensive playmakers to build the trenches since Brad Holmes and Campbell arrived.) (3-29-23):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nfl-draft-news-and-rumors-0330-2023-richardson-wont-dine-with-panthers-hooker-makes-surprise-appearance/

Pro Day News and Rumors: Deonte Banks, Calijah Kancey, and Drew Sanders Solidify Draft Stock:  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/pro-day-news-and-rumors-deonte-banks-calijah-kancey-drew-sanders-solidify-draft-stock/


How Florida LB Ventrell Miller’s experience and physicality stand out In 2023 NFL Draft class:  https://www.pff.com/news/draft-ventrell-miller-linebacker-experience-physicality-2023-nfl-draft-class

2023 NFL Draft: Biggest pro and con for PFF’s top wide receiver prospects:  https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2023-nfl-draft-pro-and-con-top-wr-prospects

2023 NFL Draft: Best draft fits for every role along the defensive line and DL rankings:  https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2023-nfl-draft-best-draft-fits-for-every-role-along-defensive-line-jalen-carter-mazi-smith-siaki-ika





Lousiville OT Trevor Reid lights up pro day workout:  https://draftwire.usatoday.com/2023/03/28/2023-nfl-draft-trevor-reid-louisville/

Pittsburgh RB Israel Abanikanda lights it up at the Panthers' pro day:  https://draftwire.usatoday.com/2023/03/29/pittsburgh-israel-abanikanda-pro-day-results-sirvocea-dennis/


Mark Evans II NFL Draft 2023 Prospect Interview:  https://thedraftnetwork.com/mark-evans-nfl-draft-2023-interview/

NFL Draft 2023: Fowler’s Top 10 EDGE Big Board:  https://thedraftnetwork.com/nfl-draft-2023-edge-big-board-fowler/


Podcast:

Dungeon of Doom: 5 big things Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes said at NFL owners meetings:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2023/03/dungeon-of-doom-5-big-things-dan-campbell-and-brad-holmes-said-at-nfl-owners-meetings.html

Watch: Detroit Lions Podcast breakdown of owners' meetings, draft plans and more:  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2023/03/30/detroit-lions-podcast-breakdown-owners-meetings-draft-needs-strategy/


Video:

Kerby Joseph discusses first-year highlights in Detroit and looks ahead to the 2023 season:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/kerby-joseph-discusses-first-year-highlights-in-detroit-and-looks-ahead-to-the-2

Dales: Dan Campbell believes Lions are 'raising the floor' in Detroit:  https://www.nfl.com/videos/dales-dan-campbell-believes-lions-are-raising-the-floor-in-detroit

Which player would be an absolute maniac in '23 season? | 'GMFB' (Jameson Williams is picked as one of the players):  https://www.nfl.com/videos/which-player-would-be-an-absolute-maniac-in-23-season-gmfb

Posted by LionsFan at 3:55 AM

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