Lions News

[ghandi]

If Branch runs a 4.48 instead of a 4.58 he is probably a top 15 pick....hard to believe that .1 makes that much difference.

[Cody_Russell]

I would guess that Branch’s middling testing numbers played a part in him falling to #45. Position value is another factor… such as Kyle Hamilton and Jaquan Brisker slipping according to media projections last year.

Branch is still an awesome draft pick IMO. Love it.

[Whitley]

Even with Branch running a 4.58. NFL.com had him rated as the #2 CB in this class (behind Gonzalez) at a 6.49 grade. He will be that swiss army knife in the secondary and he gives important depth in case Walker needs some time coming back from ACL issues.

[ghandi]

Branch is a smart pick...I think most of us are expecting Gradner Johnson to only be here one year and I doubt that they give Walker another extension....and DBs always have injury issues so depth is never a bad thing either...i imagine he will play alot this year.

[The King]

I really, really, really, hope Gardner-Johnson sings an extension here. Having two chess piece types who bring the thump and are sure tacklers in Gardner-Johnson and Branch adds a ton of flexibility.

[jaadam4]

I really, really, really, hope Gardner-Johnson sings an extension here. Having two chess piece types who bring the thump and are sure tacklers in Gardner-Johnson and Branch adds a ton of flexibility.

Lets hope Gardner-Johnson balls out and makes them pay up

[El Axe]

Branch seems like the defensive version of ARSB. Similar measurables, similar high IQ players.

[Futureshock]

Holmes's focus seemed to be finding guys who could be plugged in Day 1. Corner does not particularly fit that strategy, as usually CBs are straight ass until Year 3.

Meanwhile, it seems Okudah had lost the faith and confidence of the franchise. If you've given up on a guy, there's no point keeping him around.

I believe 100% that he was going to draft Witherspoon at 6. As soon as he was taken by the chickens they immediately traded out. Holmes was going to pick a CB at 6. Somehow the pundits got that right.

[Futureshock]

That's my guess. Swift decided he wasn't going to get the touches he needed, so he asked to be moved.

And since the one guy that could have, 1, forewarned and maybe smoothed the situation over is now in Carolina. 2 could have talked Swift off the ledge.

pANDs - Holmes stated unequivocally that the drafting of Gibbs had nothing to do with Swift. But no one got that memo to Swift. Or to the fanbase that thinks Gibbs was drafted to replace Swift.

[El Axe]

I think they waited until the #5 pick was drafted so that the Cardinals could be assured that they'd get Johnson. I think the Lions really really wanted LaPorta and that trade was the only way they'd get him plus Gibbs. Perhaps they would have drafted Witherspoon at 12 if he was there, but I doubt it. The Lions didn't even draft an outside corner for the rest of the draft.

The Lions coaching staff was supposedly not happy with Swift and his running choices. There's a clip out there where they're running a designed play that shows Sewell pulling to the left and leading a massive hole and instead of following Sewell, Swift cuts to the right, directly into JJ Watt, the player that Sewell left free. It's painful to watch because he turned a 20+ yard play into a 2 yard play because he went off script.

[jaadam4]

I believe 100% that he was going to draft Witherspoon at 6.

WItherspoon and Campbell in round 1. I definitely see that.

[ghandi]

I believe 100% that he was going to draft Witherspoon at 6. As soon as he was taken by the chickens they immediately traded out. Holmes was going to pick a CB at 6. Somehow the pundits got that right.

It was more the player than the position...It was clear as day Witherspoon was a Dan Campbell guy......Seattle could have solved so many problems if they just took jalen carter.

[Cody_Russell]

To my surprise, LaPorta might be my favorite pick after having an opportunity to review the class for a few days. Usually not a fan of Lions high draft pick TEs… LaPorta has some juice for a prospect selected at #34 overall. Other reasons mentioned in the LaPorta thread.

Relevant to the discussion of what could have happened at #6:

[El Axe]

To my surprise, LaPorta might be my favorite pick after having an opportunity to review the class for a few days. Usually not a fan of Lions high draft pick TEs… LaPorta has some juice for a prospect selected at #34 overall. Other reasons mentioned in the LaPorta thread.

Relevant to the discussion of what could have happened at #6:

These articles sound credible. I guess Witherspoon really was the first choice. I was wrong about that.

But that does say that what I wrote about the strategy was probably their plan B. Plan A was Witherspoon at 6 & Gibbs at 12 (or thereabouts) and less draft capital.

Plan B was what they ended up doing.

Plan A probably would have yielded Witherspoon & Gibbs but would cost pick 55. Maybe they still trade up from 48 using 159 to get Branch. With 81, 152, 183 & 194 left at that point. Hooker wouldn't be there, so they might have used 81 to draft Martin. Since they didn't get a LB in the 1st, they might have used 152 on TooToo or Pappoe, who both went several picks later and were similar fits. at 194, they could have gotten AT Perry or E Higgins instead of Green. 184 would've probably been a developmental OG -- I'm gonna assume Sorsdale falls that far.

Both plans would get Gibbs, Branch, Martin & Sorsdale

Plan A: Witherspoon, Pappoe & AT Perry edit: and DTR
Plan B: Campbell, LaPorta, Hooker & Green

I'd probably rather have plan B, but it's definitely close.

edit: On second thought, the Cardinals should have sweetened the 18 + 55 for 12 deal by giving up 137. This would have allowed the Lions to select Tune or DTR as a QB to develop.

[Futureshock]

I think they waited until the #5 pick was drafted so that the Cardinals could be assured that they'd get Johnson. I think the Lions really really wanted LaPorta and that trade was the only way they'd get him plus Gibbs. Perhaps they would have drafted Witherspoon at 12 if he was there, but I doubt it. The Lions didn't even draft an outside corner for the rest of the draft.

The Lions coaching staff was supposedly not happy with Swift and his running choices. There's a clip out there where they're running a designed play that shows Sewell pulling to the left and leading a massive hole and instead of following Sewell, Swift cuts to the right, directly into JJ Watt, the player that Sewell left free. It's painful to watch because he turned a 20+ yard play into a 2 yard play because he went off script.

Holmes specifically stated the Gibbs pick wasn't made with Swift in mind. At all. Sometimes things aren't some big dark deep state secret. Most times it is simply what it is. If Swift doesn't have a hissy fit, he's still here.

Excuse me if I'm believing Holmes on this.