Lions News

[CGVT]

Holmes has already called this year the redshirt year for Hooker. The Sudder will be the backup, Hooker will be on the PUP for awhile. Martinez to the PS.

Yep

"Most" of the time, the rookie is #3. When a starter goes down, they don't bring in the rookie, they bring in the veteran backup for that game. "Sometimes" the rookie gets the start after they get a chance to prepare him for the next game if they think he is ready.

Hooker will not be ready either physically or mentally this year.

[Futureshock]

Lions GM Brad Holmes: Hendon Hooker’s job as a rookie is to get healthy and develop

Posted by Michael David Smith on May 1, 2023, 6:33 AM EDT

Getty Images

The Lions drafted a promising quarterback in Hendon Hooker, but they’re not expecting much from him on the field as a rookie.

Lions General Manager Brad Holmes acknowledged that he hasn’t done enough so far in his tenure in Detroit to develop the quarterback position beyond starter Jared Goff, and he thinks Hooker could be a big part of the Lions’ future. But for now, Hooker is viewed as a third-string prospect behind both Goff and Nate Sudfeld.

Holmes noted that Hooker tore his ACL just five months ago and will need time to get healthy, and that once he’s healthy his job as a rookie will be to learn the pro game.

“We didn’t draft him No. 6 overall when we were there or anything like that,” Holmes said. “He’s got to get healthy, and he’s got to develop.”

Goff has two more years and $52 million on his contract. If he plays as well in 2023 as he did in 2022, he’s not going anywhere. If Goff struggles in 2023, Hooker may have an opportunity to become the Lions’ starter in 2024.

[froot loops]

One of the things so many folks get hung up on the final roster at the beginning of the season. Hooker will be on the PUP list. After the season starts, the roster makeup is so fluid that you can swap people in and out. If Hooker makes some huge strides, it's possible he would be a #2 by the end of the year but it's doubtful. If that did happen, I expect the Sudder would go to the PS.

[Futureshock]

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2023/05/01/nfl-draft-2023-raiders-texans-cj-stroud-peter-king-fmia/

III.

I didn’t know I would get picked as high as I did because running backs don’t really get picked this high in this new-age era of the NFL Draft. It was pretty shocking for me, but I’m grateful.

—Jahmyr Gibbs, the running back from Alabama, on being picked 12^th overall by the Lions.

[Futureshock]

When I look at post draft stuff I could care less about their stupid grades. These kids haven't even put on a helmet yet. Geez.

What I look for is little tid bits about players

From PFF:

https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2023-nfl-draft-grades-for-all-32-teams

The 163rd overall player on the PFF big board, this is a bit of a reach for the Lions, but Martin is a big player who can fill a role in the middle of their defensive line at 6-foot-5 and 330 pounds. Despite his size, he graded out better as a pass-rusher than a run defender in college and won 9.4% of his pass-rushing snaps in 2022.

Green brings size at 6-foot-2 and earned a 75.1 receiving grade in 2022 with 2.34 yards per route run. Detroit is smart to continue to add depth at receiver, and Green’s 18.1-yard average depth of target could make him a good student for veteran Marvin Jones Jr. to take under his wing as the downfield contested catch option in Detroit.

[Futureshock]

My fav UDFA...

https://www.the33rdteam.com/category/fantasy/fantasy-football-5-udfa-running-back-prospects-to-monitor/

Mohamed Ibrahim

I examined Mohamed Ibrahim (scouting report) in-depth early in the offseason when covering running back prospects projected for Day 3. Though he became a UDFA, he joins an intriguing team on the rise, especially from a running back perspective.

Pros

College Production
After an Achilles injury, Ibrahim posted a 61 percent RB Dominator with his most productive season of 1,665 rushing yards and 20 rushing scores. He can handle a heavy workload with determination, evidenced by how he rebounded after the injury.

Solid Advanced Metrics
Ibrahim only forced a broken or missed tackle 18.4 percent of the time (No. 91), with an above-average 3.1 YAC/Att (No. 57). He fought for extra yards as only 12.2 percent of his carries went for zero or fewer yards (No. 27).

Cons

Age
Ibrahim is the oldest running back prospect in the 2023 class at 24.6. The list of rookie running backs at 24 years and UDFA by September 1 inspires little confidence. Notable players include Blackshear, Trey Ragas and Patrick Laird. The most exciting name is Phillip Lindsay, though that’s an outlier scenario based on the opportunity. Lack of Receiving Production

With the Lions investing in Jahmyr Gibbs (scouting report) and trading away Swift, it’s clear they’re high on the athletic rusher and receiver out of Alabama. David Montgomery probably plays the Jamaal Williams’ role, with potential rushing touchdown regression.

Since Ibrahim dominated on the ground, it’s understandable he lacked receiving production in college. However, Ibrahim could take an early down role if Montgomery or Gibbs misses time. Or we could envision a scenario like Craig Reynolds, where he averaged nearly 11 PPR/G when garnering 10 or more carries. In those three contests, Reynolds averaged 16 carries, 75 rushing yards, two receptions and 14 receiving yards.

[Futureshock]

Brad Holmes on potential Jared Goff extension: We’re in a good place right now

Posted by Myles Simmons on May 2, 2023, 9:50 AM EDT

Getty Images

The Lions selected quarterback Hendon Hooker in the second round of last week’s draft, but that doesn’t mean the team has soured on Jared Goff.

Goff has two seasons remaining on his contract but that could change. The quarterback said last month that nothing has been brought to his attention when it comes to a new deal, and General Manager Brad Holmes said on Tuesday that the Lions have had some in-house conversations about it. But it doesn’t sound like anything is imminent.

“Yeah, we’ve had internal dialogue there and we’ve had a dialogue with his agent,” Holmes said in an interview on 97.1 The Ticket. “We’re in a good place right now.”

Goff, 28, has cap hits of $31 million and $31.7 million over the next two seasons and his average annual salary of $33.5 million now ranks 12th among quarterbacks.

The No. 1 overall pick of the 2016 draft, Goff completed 65 percent of his passes in 2022 for 4,438 yards with 29 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 2022.

[ghandi]

The new players got their numbers today...Apparently jameson Williams did not get #1 after all...That is going to be Cam Suttons number......Jameson is #13 I think..... LaPorta is 87.... Gibbs will be #26, and Jack Campbell is 46....The article says Sutton wears number 1, the graph says Montgomery...lol

[ghandi]

image.png

[Cody_Russell]

New Lions jerseys coming out in 10-11 months. Don’t buy anything now. Especially a rookie if you think there’s a chance the number can change. Hooker, Gibbs, Campbell…

Strongly felt a Hutch #97 shirt was a safe play last year and it turned out to be true.

[jaadam4]

I hope they do something cool with the jerseys.

[Futureshock]

Updated Detroit Lions depth chart: Post-2023 NFL draft edition

By Erik Schlitt

[Futureshock]

The Matthew Stafford trade is finally complete: Here’s what each team got

Cameron DaSilva Tue, May 2, 2023, 10:12 AM EDT·3 min read

322
It took two years, but the Matthew Stafford trade from 2021 is finally complete. The deal, which sent Stafford to the Rams for Jared Goff and two first-round picks, as well as a third-rounder, was completed in the 2023 draft after the Lions used the final picks from that trade.

Neither team should have any regret about this swap because it’s worked out for both parties. The Rams got a ring and the Lions are already looking good coming out of this roster rebuild in the post-Stafford era.

Here’s a breakdown of the trade now that all the picks from the deal have been used.

What the Rams received


The Rams sought a new quarterback before the 2021 season and they landed their guy by acquiring Stafford. His first season in Los Angeles couldn’t have gone better than it did, leading the Rams to a Super Bowl win 13 months after being traded.

And thankfully he did because now, Los Angeles is in rebuilding mode after a disastrous 2022 season, lacking much cap space because of Stafford’s contract – among other things, of course. But a Super Bowl ring makes everything better and given the championship they won, there’s no chance the Rams have any regret about this deal.

The No. 1 goal each season is to win a championship and the Rams accomplished that, even at the cost of a year or two (or three, or four) of pain, depending on how long this rebuild takes. But they don’t win a ring if Stafford isn’t their quarterback, so this deal is a win for them.

What the Lions received

(AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

• QB Jared Goff
• CB Ifeatu Melifonwu (2021 3rd-round pick)
• WR Jameson Williams (2022 1st-round pick)
• DL Josh Paschal (2022 2nd-round pick)
• RB Jahmyr Gibbs (2023 1st-round pick)
• TE Sam LaPorta (2023 2nd-round pick)
• DT Brodric Martin (2023 3rd-round pick)

The Lions clearly did well to maximize the quantity of the players they got back for Stafford. Not only did they find their starting quarterback in Goff, but they turned the three picks they received into six more players by striking trades on draft day.

They didn’t trade the pick used on Melifonwu, but all of the other selections made were after trades in the draft. They used the Rams’ first-round pick in 2022 to move up for Williams, acquiring the 12th pick and 46th in exchange for No. 32, 34 and 66. They then used the 46th pick on Paschal.

In 2023, the Lions moved back from No. 6 overall and took Gibbs at No. 12. In that deal, they acquired No. 34, which they used on Laporta, and No. 168, which they used to trade up for Martin in the third round.

Who won the trade?


This is a rare win-win for both sides because they each accomplished what they set out to do. The Rams were chasing a ring and won one immediately after acquiring Stafford. The Lions were in rebuild mode after parting with Stafford, seeking to acquire younger talent to improve their roster. Not to mention, they got a capable starter in Goff, who played well in 2022.

There are no winners and losers in this deal, even if it seemed like the Rams gave up a lot to acquire Stafford. And even if the Lions’ draft picks from this trade don’t pan out, they still nearly made the playoffs last season, so they’re not down and out by any means. They’re in better shape than Los Angeles right now.

[Futureshock]

Heckuva haul for one guy

[Futureshock]

Someone on local radio (I think it was Gator) was trying to say this was Gibbs being PC because he was too young to watch Barry. Uh, duh... Youtube anyone?


Lions rookie Jahmyr Gibbs welcomed by “favorite player ever” Barry Sanders

Posted by Michael David Smith on May 3, 2023, 3:23 PM EDT

Getty Images

When the Lions used the 12th overall pick on Jahmyr Gibbs, he became Detroit’s highest-drafted running back since Barry Sanders went third overall in 1989. And when Gibbs arrived at the Lions’ facility, Sanders was there to welcome him.

The Lions got two of their all-time greats, Sanders and Calvin Johnson, to greet their incoming rookies, and Gibbs called that a thrill.

“He’s my favorite player, like ever, so I’ve been watching him for a while,” Gibbs said, via MLive.com. “Yeah, just meeting him was crazy, a historical moment for me. I’m always going to remember that. I’m just going to bring a lot, running the ball and returning kicks, catching the ball just feel like whatever spot they want me at, I think I’ll excel, and just add more to the team to help us win more.”

Gibbs has to have an appreciation for football history to pick Sanders as his favorite player, considering Sanders’ last season was 1998 and Gibbs was born in 2002.