Despite the fact that such choices were heavily criticized at the time for lacking “positional value,” Holmes & Co. ultimately reaped significant rewards from them.
Branch distinguished himself as a valuable member of the Lions’ secondary, while Gibbs and LaPorta both made it to the Pro Bowl in their first campaigns. Furthermore, Campbell showed signs of being a productive linebacker for the team even though his effect was not as great.
As things stand right now, it seems like the team is headed toward becoming a consistent Super Bowl contender. Steve Palazzolo of Pro Football Focus thinks the Lions can do that by keeping adding players through the draft.
“I believe they possess the intelligence to understand the importance of maintaining a steady pace and carrying out our current plan,” Palazzolo stated during PFF’s “Fixing Every AFC & NFC North Team in 5 Minutes!” program. Four of their top 50 draft selections, or whatever, were hits for them. At the end of the day, I believe Jack Campbell will be successful, but the other three definitely will be. They were successful with their draft selections. They do not share this planet with the
He and fellow PFF writer Sam Monson recommended that Detroit make a smart free-agent move this offseason by targeting EDGE Danielle Hunter. They believed that he would provide the team’s pass-rushing attempts a much-needed boost without interfering with its ability to keep its own crop of talented players.
“However, if you truly want to look two or three years from now, you keep making draft selections.”You have to plan on being able to pay all those guys in a few years, just like the Saints had that draft class in 2017 where Ryan Ramczyk, (Alvin) Kamara, and Trey Hendrickson all came due,” Palazzolo said. “And as I have stated, the Lions now have this scenario where they’ve drafted so brilliantly; in three and four years, those guys need to be compensated. Therefore, you cannot just start throwing money around carelessly. However, I don’t think that’s a Danielle Hunter move.
