Tag: lions 2023 nfl draft

Watch: Breaking down the Lions draft class and early OTAs

Watch: Breaking down the Lions draft class and early OTAs with Prime Sports Network and Ourlads Scouting

As we’ve done for several years now, the Prime Sports Network invited me in for a fun post-draft breakdown of the Detroit Lions draft haul and early impressions on the rookie class.

Host Greg DePalma and I went over each of the Lions draft picks. We covered the rationale behind the picks and the early fits into the Detroit depth chart from the first few OTA sessions. There is a spotlight on a couple of undrafted rookies who have real chances to make an impact as well.

Jameson Williams and his progress, plus the impact of his suspension, is also covered. Check out the family-friendly show via YouTube:

Instant grade for the Detroit Lions selection of OL Colby Sorsdal

The Detroit Lions might have found a sleeper in OL Colby Sorsdal, who finds pleasure in pancaking defenders, making him a fit in Detroit

Throughout the draft, the Detroit Lions have selected players from top schools like Alabama and Tennessee, but their last two picks have come from schools that are not known for pushing out many NFL players. First, the selection of Brodric Martin from Western Kentucky, and now they tagged OL Colby Sorsdal from William & Mary.

The selection left many draft pundits and Detroit media scrambling to find out about Sorsdal, as he wasn’t on many radars through the draft process. However, it did not take long for many to realize why the Lions gravitated to the young man.

Sorsdal was an instant starter at William & Mary as a freshman and went on to become team captain, a trait you can find in common with many of the Lions draft picks. He mostly played tackle, but many believe he can also find success along the interior. Like Martin, Sorsdal participated in the East-West Shrine Bowl. PFF said he was the second-highest-graded (89.9) FCS offensive tackle this season, only behind North Dakota State Cody Mauch. He also allowed no sacks in 2022 and was the third-best run blocker (89.2) among FCS tackles.

Sorsdal might’ve been a relatively unknown prospect after his selection, but one of the best in the business for offensive linemen knew who knew exactly what the Lions were getting and gave a very glowing review.

Many more provided strong insight into Sorsdal.

Sorsdal is exactly the type of player the Lions want to bring into the room and more than looks the part with his size, strength, instincts, and toughness. He will look to round out the Lions offensive line, which needs depth, and with his versatility, he could be a strong piece that you can slot in. But, more than likely, his best bet would be lining up as their swing tackle, and from the looks of it, he will pave the necessary holes for the running game, pancaking anyone in sight.

Grade: B+

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Instant grade of the Detroit Lions selection of LB Jack Campbell

The Detroit Lions grabbed the gritty Iowa LB Jack Campbell, which could bring a necessary thumper to the Lions offense.

The Detroit Lions make their second first-round selection by picking Iowa linebacker Jack Campbell with the 18th overall pick.

Even though the Lions did not have many glaring holes surrounding the franchise after what some might call a stellar free-agent season, it was nearly impossible to predict what the Lions would do in the draft. Instead, the Lions pulled another fast one by selecting Campbell to bring some necessary depth to the Lions linebacker corps.

The Lions re-signed Alex Anzalone this year after a solid campaign and the emergence of last year’s sixth-round selection Malcolm Rodriguez; with former fifth-round selection Derrick Barnes, the Lions are creating a strong corps in the middle of the defense after the selection of Campbell. The depth after Anzalone, Rodriguez, and Barnes turn barren, making the selection not unexpected, just earlier than what most would’ve thought.

Campbell has football in his blood lining up as a varsity starter in high school his sophomore year, which led to him setting the school record for tackles (168) his senior season catapulting his team to the state championship as a team captain while earning Defensive Player of the Year honors. He also was the leading rebounder on his school’s basketball team while competing in track.

Campbell continued his captain honors while attending Iowa, receiving that honor in the 2021 season and held onto it his senior season. In addition, he earned the Butkus Award as the nation’s top linebacker while obtaining Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and the William V. Campbell Trophy (academic Heisman). So it is very easy to see why the Lions gravitated toward a player like Campbell.

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Campbell processes a frame similar to the Chris Speilman days that enjoys going downhill and bringing the hammer down to any opposing offenses. With that physicality, he is able to navigate through the mess and make the plays at the line of scrimmage. He also processes superb coverage ability, an area the Lions have had some trouble with in the past. If there was any player that screamed Dan Campbell, don’t look any further than the Iowa linebacker.

Campbell is a strong athlete; he does a slow get-off to react to the ball carrier and doesn’t have enough speed to close the distance. Fortunately for Campbell, he is smart and intuitive, allowing him to make the necessary plays with his athleticism and intangibles.

The Lions linebacker corps looks to have their starters, but don’t put it past them to give Campbell the opportunity to earn a starting spot similar to Rodriguez last year. He is driven and fueled with passion for the game, bringing his preparation to the next level, and he will outwork anyone. The Lions’ montage is “GRIT,” and Campbell is swimming with it, making him a perfect fit for the Lions and Aaron Glenn’s defense.

If you didn’t know any better, you were sitting in a scene of Draft Day watching Kevin Costner making picks that many might seem questionable picks for a running back and a linebacker. Apparently, Brad Holmes wanted to live it out himself and told everyone I am going to take my guys, and I don’t care what anyone thinks.

Grade: B-

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Instant grade for the Detroit Lions selection of RB Jahmyr Gibbs

The Detroit Lions made a jaw-dropping selection with RB Jahmyr Gibbs, but the offensive possibilities he can bring are endless.

After the Detroit Lions traded down with the Arizona Cardinals, it was going to be interesting to see what direction the Lions would go towards. Still, I don’t think anyone saw this one coming.

Some might call this a surprising pick, but the Lions beefed up their offensive weapons and selected Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs with the 12th overall selection.

With this selection, the Lions running back corps turns into a crowded room, with D’Andre Swift and free-agent acquisition David Montgomery. It might beg into question Swift’s future in Detroit, considering the redundant skill sets between him and Gibbs, but we will have to see how it plays out.

Gibbs’ football career has been stellar ever since he played in high school and was named Georgia’s Mr. Football after he rushed for over 2,500 yards and 40 touchdowns his senior year. Like many past Brad Holmes selections, Gibbs was a multiple sport athlete throughout high school, dipping his heels in basketball and track, which you can see easily translated on the field.

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The selection might be hard to get on board with, considering the diminished value of running backs in the league, but there is no disputing the impact Gibbs can bring to the Lions offense. He not only can be a home run threat on the ground, but he also brings a very strong skill set to the receiving department as he led Alabama in rushing (926 yards) and catches (44). He was responsible for ten touchdowns in the Crimson Tide offense. In addition, he was a threat on offense and brought the skill set on special teams as he led Alabama in return yards and averaged 135.7 yards in all-purpose yards.

The size might not be ideal for Gibbs, but what he lacks in size, he makes up for explosiveness, vision, and pass-catching and be an all-purpose weapon for Ben Johnson’s offense. He can hit the gaps and take off like a bullet from a gun, making the possibilities endless, especially with former/current teammate Jameson Williams equally fast.

Some might not agree with the value and the number of resources thrown at the running back group this season, but it’s hard to imagine the offensive possibilities with Gibbs in the mix. The electricity Gibbs can bring is nothing short of dynamic, as his playmaking abilities could be endless. The Lions offense will take that next step forward and should be fun to watch.

Grade: B