Jason_R

https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2025/4/21/24413017/3-ways-nil-changing-detroit-lions-nfl-draft-process Interesting article about the impact of NIL on Detroit’s draft strategy. Basically, NIL is keeping talented underclassmen in school a bit longer, meaning the past two drafts have not been as deep.

This is a good point. Still, I assume that if the staff liked what they saw of Hooker in practice and in his limited game action, they would not have felt the need to bring in Bridgewater, though the SF debacle from a few years ago where they lost two QBs probably also contributed to their decision making.

I watched the first fifteen minutes. Maybe I didn’t see enough but what I watched I saw pretty much what I’ve seen from Steve before. He doesn’t like the press, he doesn’t like missing the playoffs, and he doesn’t like lack of accountability. That was all on display. I also didn’t see any tension or disagreement between Steve and Todd. I got the sense they coordinated their messages. Boys, it is time to grow up. You are making a lot of money. You could have made the playoffs and you should have made the playoffs. Dylan, you wear the C and bitching to the press is unacceptable. I thought it was fair and reasonable and expected.

One other thing that occurs to me about this draft is that Dan Campbell came up through Saints/Sean Payton tree. Their offense was based on an immobile but accurate passer in Drew Brees, who has a lot of similarities to Goff. Those Saints teams were always very strong in the interior OL. In their Super Bowl season they had Jonathan Goodwin at center with Jahri Evans and Carl Nicks at guard. All of them had at least one Pro Bowl season. Later, when Campbell was there, they had Max Unger at center with Andrus Peat and Larry Warford as guards. They also all had one or more Pro Bowl seasons. Goff is just completely helpless when his IOL misses blocks or assignments. Guard was an urgent need.

Also on Williams.

I assume they signed Teddy Bridgewater going into the playoffs last year because they didn't trust Hooker. This was another Holmes special, buying low on an injured or otherwise undervalued prospect. Maybe he will develop into something, but just like Martin, it is not a good sign that they had to bring someone in to his position.

Sorsdal was a miss but I don't hold it against Holmes for missing on a 5th round guard. Martin was a head scratcher. So was Hooker for that matter. But these Rams guys have a knack for uncovering late round WR talent. And Holmes has earned the right to trust his gut in finding undervalued players.

And I bet his daddy wants to whoop him old school.

Seems like the consensus is that the Baltimore Rapists had the best draft.

Yes OL is the engine of the team. Sadly Glasgow had the worst game (per PFF) of any Lion in the playoff game last year of anyone not named Jared Goff. They could not roll him out there for another season.

Yes Holmes drafts for need but unlike the media, which just remembers that Detroit could not get pressure on Washington in the playoffs, Holmes remembers that they have Aidan Hutchinson coming back. And he probably has an understanding with Zadarius Smith, in addition to some solid pieces already on the roster. Edge is not as big of a need as the media thinks. McNeil is not coming back until around Halloween. Reader is year to year. Defensive tackle is an urgent need. Zietler is gone. Glasgow is depth at this point, not starter material. Guard is an urgent need. Tim Patrick is year to year. Jaymo may not get a second contract here. WR is a need.

This must be Rod Wood's pick. I can imagine he is angling for the Lions to play in the first NFL game in Cairo.

Mahogany was a massive upgrade when he played last year. He will start at one guard spot and Ratledge will start at the other. Goff will line up behind five bona fide dirtbags next year. The run game will be a sight to behold.

His dad did not do him any favors. No coach wants the threat of getting replaced by Deion Sanders hanging over his head.

Maybe Detroit really wanted Starks last night and didn’t want to get snaked by Baltimore again.

Tate Ratledge, says twitter

Unrelated to thread but priceless.

DT would have been a medium-term need even without McNeil’s injury. I thought they might have gone with an athletic freak like Stewart or Campbell (since Anzalone’s contract is up soon) and drafted a DT later, but there are a lot of tolerable ends still out there.

https://thedraftnetwork.com/2025/04/02/tyleik-williams-nfl-draft-interview-2025 Good interview with him.

And the Eagles get Jihaad Campbell.

With McNeil injured for the first two-thirds of the season, they drafted for need.