Thursday, May 4, 2023

Morning Lions Links for Thursday 5-4-23

Articles:





Amon-Ra St. Brown Reacts to Lions' 2023 Draft:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/st-brown-reacts-to-lions-2023-draft

D'Andre Swift Unhappy with 'Hard Knocks' Portrayal:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/dandre-swift-unhappy-with-hard-knocks-portrayal

Five Traits That Make Jahmyr Gibbs Elite Running Back:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/jahmyr-gibbs-fim-review-scouting-report

Unlike Lowly Detroit Tigers, Detroit Lions' Rebuild Is Actually Over:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/detroit-lions-rebuild-is-actually-over

Pro Comparisons for Lions' 2023 Draft Class:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/lions-2023-draft-pro-comps

Injury updates: Tracy Walker already doing on-field drills at Lions offseason program:  https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2023/5/3/23710186/injury-updates-tracy-walker-detroit-lions-offseason-program-halapoulivaati-vaitai


What anonymous NFL scouts said about the Detroit Lions’ 2023 draft picks:  https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2023/5/3/23709368/detroit-lions-2023-nfl-draft-class-scouts-analysis-scouting-report


5 questions: Sam LaPorta is ‘100% ready’ for a starting TE role with the Lions:   https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2023/5/3/23703420/sam-laporta-scouting-report-2023-detroit-lions-draft-iowa-5-questions

Brad Holmes says Lions' draft critics will like what they see on the field:  https://www.audacy.com/971theticket/sports/detroit-lions/brad-holmes-defends-detroit-lions-draft-class-from-critics

Valenti Show: Lions can win Super Bowl with Jared Goff. Is it time to pay him?:  https://www.audacy.com/971theticket/sports/detroit-lions/valenti-show-detroit-ions-can-win-big-with-jared-goff

2023 NFL Draft: Ranking the 10 best UDFA signings (CB STARLING THOMAS V, DETROIT LIONS (PFF Big Board ranking: 153): Thomas boasts top-tier speed for the position, as he ran a 4.38-second 40-yard-dash time but a lack of ideal size did not help his draft stock. The Lions have many question marks at the cornerback position, and Thomas has experience as a three-year starter out of UAB where he most recently allowed just 37.9% of his targets to be caught (tied for 12th) thanks to a 29% forced incompletion percentage, which was tied for fourth-best among FBS corners (min. 20% of coverage snaps).  S BRANDON JOSEPH, DETROIT LIONS (PFF Big Board ranking: 161):  The Lions target the defensive secondary once again, bringing in the former 2020 All-American to compete for a backup safety role. Joseph displayed decent coverage ability throughout his three years as a starter at Northwestern and most recently Notre Dame, as he never earned below a 77.1 coverage grade in the past three seasons. Joseph also earned a top-25 punt return grade (77.2) in 2022 and could provide some value on special teams.):  https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2023-nfl-draft-ranking-the-10-best-udfa-signings

Biggest reaches of the 2023 NFL Draft by round (ROUND 1: RB JAHMYR GIBBS, DETROIT LIONS (Pick: 18, PFF Big Board: 34):  Gibbs, the second-ranked running back on the final PFF big board, ran well in the offseason and graded well in three seasons at Alabama and Georgia Tech. He also forced 38 missed tackles on 151 carries in 2022. It’s just that the positional value, especially when Gibbs was not viewed as a generational player at the position like Bijan Robinson, is hard to justify at this spot.):  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-biggest-reaches-2023-nfl-draft-by-round

Biggest steals of the 2023 NFL Draft by round (ROUND 2: S BRIAN BRANCH, DETROIT LIONS (Pick: 45, PFF Big Board: 15):  Branch came in at 15th on PFF’s final consensus big board, so seeing him slide all the way to Pick 45 was great value for the Lions in our book.  Branch was one of the best football players in the class. But while his combine testing wasn't terrible, it also wasn't anything to write home about. He ended with a 4.58-second 40-yard dash in the 42nd percentile, a 34.5-inch vertical jump in the 32nd percentile and a 125-inch broad jump in the 78th percentile.  But the numbers that matter much more were his 86.4 coverage grade and 90.6 run-defense grade in 2022 (only safety in college football with 85.0-plus grades in both categories), plus the fact that, as a hybrid nickel defender, he missed only four tackles in three seasons (with more than 170 total tackles made). That level of reliability is rare. He could be an immediate impact player for the Lions' secondary.):  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-biggest-steals-2023-nfl-draft-by-round

Which NFL teams improved the most during the 2023 NFL Draft? (DETROIT LIONS - The Lions had an unusual draft, placing a premium on good players at low-value positions. It’s difficult to resolve that equation and determine whether or not they maximized their return, but it’s difficult to argue they didn’t improve significantly throughout the process.  Jahmyr Gibbs may have been seen as a major reach at No. 12 overall, even independent of the concept of drafting a running back that high, but Gibbs brings elite speed and critically an impressive receiving skill set to an already dangerous offense. Gibbs averaged 1.83 yards per route run last season, sixth in the draft class.  Jack Campbell will start right away at linebacker and brings one of the few traditional linebacker frames (6-foot-5, 249 pounds) to the table in this draft. Sam LaPorta is a broken tackle machine with the ball in his hands, forcing 20 missed tackles last season on just 58 catches. At pick No. 45, Brian Branch is one of the best value picks of the first two days of the draft. Branch was arguably a top-10 player in this draft but seemed to slip because teams weren’t quite sure what to do with him. Ostensibly a safety, Branch essentially manned the slot for Alabama and has the skill set to play anywhere in the secondary. A relatively average set of workout numbers is the only thing keeping him from being spoken about the way somebody like Minkah Fitzpatrick was when he came into the NFL.  In the third round, Hendon Hooker likely makes little-to-no contribution in the short term, but he is an outstanding roll of the dice at the most valuable position in the game while fellow third-rounder Brodric Martin is the last player in their draft that figures to see significant playing time early. The mammoth defensive tackle can find playing time on a defensive line still working toward its final shape.):  https://www.pff.com/news/draft-which-nfl-teams-improved-the-most-during-the-2023-nfl-draft


Ranking the top 5 candidates for Defensive Rookie of the Year (4 - LB Jack Campbell, Detroit Lions:  It came as a surprise that Jack Campbell went as early as he did but he should be an immediate starter on the Lions defense. Campbell’s skills translate perfectly to the NFL and he is a near-lock to top 100 tackles and a handful of splash stats.):  https://draftwire.usatoday.com/lists/2023-nfl-draft-rookie-year-jalen-carter/

How Long Is Hendon Hooker Out? Injury Timeline, Return Date, More On Lions Quarterback:  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/how-long-is-hendon-hooker-out-injury-timeline-return-date-more-lions-quarterback-2023/

Which NFL Rookie QBs Are Best Set Up For Success? (1. Hendon Hooker (Lions):  Hooker will most likely sit behind Jared Goff to start the 2023 campaign, but I would not be shocked if he appears at some point during the season. I’ve heard from Hooker’s camp that he’ll be good to go for the regular season, and he will not sit quietly in the rearview mirror of Goff. The team will get back Jameson Williams after six weeks to join Amon-Ra St. Brown and Marvin Jones Jr. Those players plus 2023 NFL Draft selections in tight end Sam LaPorta and running back/flex weapon Jahmyr Gibbs could bring showtime to the Motor City.):  https://thedraftnetwork.com/nfl-rookie-qbs-2023-success/

Value vs Instant Contributors: How Do We Assess Lions’ 2023 Draft?:  https://thedraftnetwork.com/lions-2023-nfl-draft-grade-analysis/

Which TE Will Have Biggest Rookie Impact? (Sam LaPorta (Detroit Lions):  His success as a Hawkeye was underwhelming—but consider the lack of talent on offense. Nonetheless, he became a legit target in-line that has no issue in moving out to the perimeter and making guys miss on screens—a rarity at the tight end position. Iowa made a habit of getting the ball in his hands as much as they could, and his ceiling excites me inside a Lions offense with talent in abundance.):  https://thedraftnetwork.com/nfl-draft-2023-te-rookie-impact/

Podcast:

Off the Record with Dannie Rogers Episode 19: Navigating NFL Life with the Deckers:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/off-the-record-with-dannie-rogers-episode-19-taylor-decker-nfl-life

Video:

Which GM sent biggest message about future of franchise? | 'Path to the Draft':  https://www.nfl.com/videos/which-gm-sent-biggest-message-about-future-of-franchise-path-to-the-draft

Adam Rank lists five things he's looking forward to next season | 'NFL Total Access' (4. Lions being the Lions):  https://www.nfl.com/videos/adam-rank-lists-five-things-he-s-looking-forward-to-next-season-nfl-total-access
Posted by LionsFan at 3:48 AM

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