Jimbo

This is an estimated depth chart from this year to last year. Can argue exact placement of certain players. I am really liking the improvements on both sides of the ball. Still incomplete with what they do with cap space and after June 1rst cuts. Always room for improvements although I think at the end of last year we were a top 6 team in the NFC even with our weaknesses. Biggest weakness was definitely rush defense and secondary. Secondary is night and day better. Might take a few weeks to mesh although I think that went from the worst in the league, to a strength. Run defense with health and Campbell (and improvements in the secondary) got better. Defensive line got better with more experience and health. For offense, I think WR's are about the same, maybe not week 1 although after Jamo gets back from suspension and adding Gibbs will make this group better than last year (debatable). RB's are better and more explosive in my opinion. OL is about the same. Older although more depth.

I would even be OK if they gave Goff an extension now and make it top heavy since our possible cap issues aren't going to happen for a couple of years.

By leverage I mean more of have a different option. If Goff has another good/great year (most likely) than he will earn himself more $ although he also has to consider who will give him more $ than the Lions that is also in a winning situation. The Lions have more leverage than they had before they drafter Hooker is all I am saying because there is a different option to go in a different direction that they didn't have before the pick. Both of the comparisons others gave are just comparisons and I think they are good. Although every situation is different. If Goff has a good/great year AND they win a playoff game, he earned the right to get an extension. How much is where having some different options helps with how much you have to pay him is all I am saying. I do think they think Hooker is good although it also gives the Lions options. We can all guess but really no one (even the Lions) really knows until the situation becomes more clear. We still don't know what next seasons success or failure will bring or even if Hooker is going to be more than a back up in this league. This pick had multiple reasons than just that they like Hooker. You have to give Holmes more credit than just picking a good player. Other positions, yes, although QB there is always more to the pick.

I feel like the Hooker picks was made for multiple reasons. First is to have some leverage in any negotiations. At this point, Goff has all the leverage because really the Lions haven't had any back up plan and he had a great season. Now you can say that the number 6 pick was some leverage although really to this point there wasn't an actual body to replace him. Leverage can save you a lot money if Goff has another great year and unless there is an injury, I don't see why he won't (knock on wood). Second is to have a back up plan if Goff wants too much $, has a bad year, or gets hurt. As far as not putting too much pressure on Goff next year although having a possible franchise QB after Goff, it was the best draft pick. No one should be saying, put in Hooker if Goff has a bad game NEXT year unless your just a Goff hater. 3rd is he isn't going to be a cancer and start demanding time like other top QBs would of possibly wanted. Fourth it was only a 3rd rounder and you now have a legit backup QB that isn't going to cost that much cap wise. Not week 1 although, you hope Ben Johnson can get him ready as soon as possible.

TEs and CBs are deep. There are clear top tiers although I don't think its much of a drop off like other positions. This is why I don't want them using 6 on a CB or 18 on a TE. Problem is the Lions might just be in a situation where Witherspoon or Gonzalez are the most sure bets and if no one wants to trade with us. We might have to take one of them.

I am kind of with you. I would say the only thing I wouldn't mind is trading down, still having two 1rst in this draft and get another first for next year because its looking like next years draft is going to be better although I have heard that often. I am loving the flexibility we have. You can basically go for the guys you want.

I do really like Goff although I just don't feel like you can pay him ridiculous money and assume its not going to affect the rest of the team with cap hits. I think the Daniel Jones signing wasn't the smartest move although maybe I missing something with him. You can pay Generational talent like Mahomes, Brady, Manning and still win Championships losing other great players. Although if Holmes continues drafts like the last two, you can pay Goff and just keep on replacing other players. That will be his decision. I just want a patient approach with this team and not necessarily go for broke this year. If that means taking a QB you feel is better for the sustained success of this team I am all for it. If you feel like Goff is the best for that sustained success than I am good with that as well. I will say that QB position is the hardest to draft for when there isn't the blue chip guy like Luck or Manning.

I am not going to disagree with this comment (here are not 10 people on planet Earth who are better QBs than Goff). I am just saying I don't want to pay him top 5 money. If we pay him in the 5-10 range, in my opinion, that is acceptable. I actually like Goff. I like the way he plays and I like him (so far) as a person and teammate. His girlfriend isn't that bad either. I am just saying, I don't want the Lions to make a mistake and give him a ridiculous contract.

I think Goff adapted his game and threw a lot of balls away instead of throwing interceptions. When you watched the game and compared to the best pockets passers, he just doesn't make that great play. Now I think that is a great job by Goff and I am sure the Lions told him to not worry about making that desperate play and just throw the ball away. Its ok that he isn't Manning or Brady and its the job of the Lions coaching staff to put him in a position to be his best. Although he just clearly isn't the best pocket passer when he gets pressure. This is just the eye test from watching the games. Being good in the pocket with pressure is more than not throwing interceptions. Its also making that unbelievable play when he is getting pressure and I just don't feel like that is Goff which is OK. Its just what it is.

Goff is a very good QB although comparing him to some of the best pocket passers of all time is a stretch. He was a number 1 pick for a reason and the reason the Rams wanted to trade him was because he doesn't make good decisions when under pressure. You solve that problem by having a great (not good if you want to win a championship) offensive line. I have no problem with an extension although I don't want to pay him a top 5 QB salary because then having a great offensive line becomes more difficult because of the salary cap. These are the decisions the Lions need to make soon and find out what he is looking to get salary wise. If he wants to win and would be happy getting a salary similar to this contract he has now (in the 5-10 range for QB salaries). I think the best decision is to keep him and find a QB to back him up for multiple years (either a Brock Purdy pick or Bridgewater). If wants to be paid like Hurts or Herbert) than I think it might be best to take a QB at 6 (if its a QB that they like) or wait till next year if you think its a better year for QBs (remember he actually has 2 years left on his contract).

I thought the same thing when the trade happened. I remember thinking they must have this wrong. Lets hope Williams will be fine after his suspension otherwise it doesn't matter.

I think the best comparison would actually be Brett Farve. Same age, same teams, and GB had a QB waiting. Correct me if I am wrong, Farve's previous year he was in consideration for MVP as well. I don't think the Jets had that much talent though when Farve came over.

This draft seems to be deep but not top heavy talent. So getting a late first rounder this year, a first round next year, and a 3rd round pick I think would be fine with me. With two 2nds and two 3rds, you can move that Minnesota (or our own 1rst round pick) to move up in this draft if there are certain players you want.

I actually like Minnesota's offer the best. I don't think Minnesota will be as good next year and possibly a mid to early first round for next year sounds very enticing. There is a lot they can do with this draft as well and move up.

I'm really not a fan of comparisons because I think it puts players in this box that isn't always true. I understand why we do it because it gives everyone an idea of what type of player an average fan can relate to. I think in most sports (especially football because of how many players are on the field at once) there are different ways to win. You had the greatest show on turf and then you had Baltimore defense that won with one of the best defenses. I hate it when teams try to get the next Brady or Mahomes because 99% of the time they are never as good as the original. Fact is these players are one in a generation talent. You want to be a trend setter, not trying to match something that is impossible to match. Or try to be the next San Fran, or Rams (Greatest show on turf), or New England. Which in history is what the Lions have done. That is why you draft with BPA. In the draft you should always look to upgrade with younger players. For the first time as a Lions fan we actually have a capable GM until he is proven he is not. So I am good with it being any position regardless if we failed in the past with picking that position in the past.

I really like Goff and think he has done everything you could of asked of him. Luckily at this point we have a GM that most of us have faith in. You can't argue that LA made a bad decision getting rid of Goff for Stafford and picks because they won a super bowl. Some might think that they could of won with Goff instead of Stafford although there is no way to prove this. All I am saying is I would be fine if the Lions drafted Stroud or another QB because I have faith they believed they can upgrade at the most important position on the field on a rookie contract. If they don't then I am confident they think they can win a super bowl with Goff. Or did not think the QB at 6 is better or don't feel like wasting draft picks on these QBs was worth the upgrade.

If Goff has another year like he did last year and they win a playoff game, I am good giving him an extension. I definitely don't want to make him one of the highest paid QBs though and more like a 3 year extension.

I am not saying that we should take Stroud but I would understand if we did. I think our situation could be different when we have to pay Stroud and the thought would be that he would be better than Goff is now which is a second contract. I like Goff and I am fine with giving him an extension if that is the direction they feel is best. I just wouldn't be upset if they drafted Stroud or another QB. Goff is a good to great QB if he has time but lets not get carried away and call him a hall of fame player yet. If he doesn't have the offensive line, I am not sure we would be having this conversation. Nothing wrong with upgrading if you think you can with a rookie.

I don't think Goff is a good comparison for Stroud. Stroud does have some mobility that we saw during the Georgia game and I would consider Goff as having zero mobility. Stroud is a pocket passer that is accurate though which could flourish in our system with this offensive line. The advantage of drafting him would be a top level QB on a rookie contract instead of paying Goff for an extension when the cost of QBs keep going up. Not saying I would want them to trade up although i would be fine if Stroud slipped to 6 and they took him.

I like the fact that they haven't talked extension yet. For multiple reasons. First is for this draft and teams not knowing if they will pick a QB in this draft. Second is if they wait till after or during this season and see how he plays. If we win a playoff game or even better then that means he is worth extending. This isn't his last contract year. I also don't think they will have to overpay for him regardless of his situation because I don't think another team is going to be paying Goff like Hurts. I think teams know that he is a QB that will play great with the RIGHT situation. He is not the QB that is going to win you games like a Hurts or Mahomes does. Goff also isn't desperate to get another huge contract since he has already had a big contract. That takes away the desperation like Jackson is going through. Lions are in a good situation and really so is Goff.

I agree that if Anderson isn't there at 6 or Carter is off their board then I would be fine with them trading down in this draft for a 1rst next year. With two mid round picks you can easily get two starters. This draft isn't as top heavy as I believe next year will be.

Good managed teams don't make decisions on these reports. They make decisions on their own evaluation. There is definitely an equation on talent, draft position, health, ceiling, floor, outside the game issues......etc that teams make. Some put certain factors above others. Holme's said that he wouldn't want anyone to know some of the things he did when he was young. Randy Moss at 18 was different than Randy Moss at 25. Although Charles Rogers shows the opposite can happen. Its just refreshing having confidence in your GM to make the right decision.

With all the picks I can see the Lions drafting like Philly did last year (or us for that matter) and pick a couple of players that are raw (have talent but still need some time) or coming off an injury that you get value picks so they can contribute down the road when we start to lose players. This is what good franchises do in the draft. We have to start thinking about roster spots as well. Jordan Davis is a big reason why Philly didn't give Hargrave a big contract and really Davis didn't contribute that much during the Superbowl run.

Here a question then. Would you trade with a team this year for the 6th pick for maybe a 2nd or 3rd in this draft and #1 next year? The thought is you would be trading with a team that probably isn't going to be that good because they will have a rookie QB under center and then end up with a very good pick next year. And then you can get your franchise QB next year and still have a great season. Just a thought. Maybe Tennessee or the Raiders.

I agree with most of you that the best strategy is for other teams to not know what you are thinking. If you make teams think you are willing to take a QB with the 6th pick because its the BPA on your board then a team will definitely try to trade with you. The Lions are just in a unique situation that they can easily take a QB with 6 because they have so many early picks. Although if a team offers you a good trade package, your good with trading back as well. This isn't just for the 6th pick, it can be for the whole draft as well with other QB's. Now for the whole Quinn situation. The biggest mistake was bringing him back for another year. It wasn't Quinn's fault that everyone knew they weren't taking a QB because everyone knew he was on the hot seat and you don't take a rookie QB when you have to win to keep your job. That was what I hated about the decision to keep him. When you have an early pick like that and an aging QB that isn't going to want to hang around for another rebuild. You move on. Now it all worked out because who knows if we would of ended up with the Holmes/Cambell combo. Although I remember it being right in the middle of COVID and doing a Zoom meeting during the draft with all my friends and just miserable with our situation because you never know when your going to have the opportunity to take a QB that early. That is also why teams might think Holmes will take a QB at 6. The plan is to not have this early a pick for a long time. Goff has been great but I don't think anyone thinks he is a top 5 or even a top 10 QB. He played great last year and I am good if they stick with him for a while although its pretty clear that he benefited from a great line. Which is OK because we have a great line. Although, if you think you can get one of those guys that are a top 10 QB on a rookie contract, you have to make that pick. Your in a great situation with Goff with two years left on his contract at a good price.