The Detroit Lions are tied for the best record in the league after securing a win on the road against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After the rookies played a major part in nearly every win this season, the 2023 draft class was quiet.
Injuries took Brian Branch and Jahmyr Gibbs sadly out of the equation. Gibbs was dealing with a lingering hamstring issue while Branch continued to work his way back from a hamstring issue. Branch especially has been missed with his play-making ability on defense but Aidan Hutchison and the rest of the defense have picked up the slack.
Two rookies were able to play in Week 6 against the Buccaneers, however with LB Jack Campbell and TE Sam LaPorta.
Jack Campbell made several key stops and was able to man the middle of the defense as his growth as a leader continued. The former Hawkeye made seven total tackles and was part of a Lions defense that held the Buccaneers to just 46 rushing yards and 206 passing. The Buccaneers’ offense had been riding high entering Week 5, and they may still be, but Campbell and this Lions’ defense is special.
For Sam LaPorta, he had one of his more quiet games of the year by just recording four catches for 36 yards receiving. LaPorta was on pace to set several rookie records both for the NFL and the Lions organization. Records or not, Laporta is proving to be a big part thus far as a receiver and as a blocker sealing the edges for either run or pass protection.
Post-game the conductor of this team, and the rookie class specifically, Brad Holmes was seen hyping fans up as he entered the tunnel. He knows how special this team he built is and the heights they can reach are limitless. The rookies didn’t make the biggest impact today but their presence is enough to gameplan around and that is all you can ask for.