2024 NFL Draft

[RedRamage]

On 4/27/2024 at 3:01 PM, Mr.TaterSalad said:

I am disappointed that we haven't addressed the interior of the offensive line or WR. Consider we have a 34 year old guard in Kevin Zeitler,a 31 year guard in Graham Glasgow, and a banged up 29 year old Center in Frank Ragnow I was really hoping to pickup at least one potential, future starter on the interior of this offensive line. That is one of our  biggest needs at this point and something that has gone unaddressed.

I know it's been said a lot, but this draft is yet more proof that Holmes drafts BPA. He doesn't care (very much) about position. He just really, really doesn't. He drafted a CB... right after drafting a CB. He traded up to get a RB (among other things, but was "interviewed" as a RB) after drafting a RB in the first round last year.

To completely mix some sports metaphors, Holmes is taking a home run swing on each an every pick. He's not interested in bunting to move the runs over so that maybe they'll score on the next at bat. He wants a home run. He'll use FA to fill in what holes there are in the roster. So far that's worked out in the Lions favor. We'll see if it continues to work out over the next 3-5 years, but it's hard to argue with his methods right now.

[buddha]

16 hours ago, MichiganCardinal said:

WalterFootball's ratings for those who care:

 

The only team to receive an A+ was the Eagles. The Lions were one of four teams to receive an A, alongside the Colts, Bengals, and Ravens. On the other end of the spectrum, the Falcons received a Millen and the Vikings were the only team to receive a D.

he's been railing against JJ for the entire process.  so the guy that said jimmy clausen was a future hall of famer gave the vikings a D for taking mccarthy.

[Motown Bombers]

I simply don't know what the Vikings plan is. They have almost no picks next year. I mean literally they just have a 1 and a 5 next year. That's it. Is this team all in or rebuilding? They let Hunter and Cousins walk, but then made big signings for Greenard. They still have to pay Jefferson. I guess that's how they can recoup picks. Kwesi has been a pretty poor drafter. I wonder how long he survives? 

[Hongbit]

4 minutes ago, Motown Bombers said:

I simply don't know what the Vikings plan is. They have almost no picks next year. I mean literally they just have a 1 and a 5 next year. That's it. Is this team all in or rebuilding? They let Hunter and Cousins walk, but then made big signings for Greenard. They still have to pay Jefferson. I guess that's how they can recoup picks. Kwesi has been a pretty poor drafter. I wonder how long he survives? 

I think you got to the issue at the bottom.  Kwesi is a really smart guy that should be in a secondary executive role and not the main decision maker.   He’s not the guy.    In hindsight, he probably picked the wrong sport and would’ve been better using his analytics background as a baseball exec.  

[Hongbit]

Master Les needs to consult his former padawan on how to do this draft thing. 

Edited April 29 by Hongbit

[Motown Bombers]

5 minutes ago, Hongbit said:

I think you got to the issue at the bottom.  Kwesi is a really smart guy that should be in a secondary executive role and not the main decision maker.   He’s not the guy.    In hindsight, he probably picked the wrong sport and would’ve been better using his analytics background as a baseball exec.  

Yeah I'm glad the Lions went with the football guy who had years of scouting in his background. Analytics just doesn't give you an eye for talent. 

[MichiganCardinal]

38 minutes ago, Hongbit said:

Master Les needs to consult his former padawan on how to do this draft thing. 

The Rams were desperate to replace Donald, and that's what happens when you get desperate. They were probably hoping for Byron Murphy to fall to them at #19, and when he didn't they reached for Verse. Then when they saw three DTs go in the first five picks of the second round, they panicked, sold the farm to move up, and reached for Fiske.

[Motown Bombers]

I would consider trading McNeil to the Rams for a couple 1's. 

[Longgone]

On 4/28/2024 at 11:37 AM, MichiganCardinal said:

I think this is right, though I don't think Sorsdal's spot is guaranteed over Awosika's. Neither of them were very good last year when they had to step in, and they finished with almost identical snap counts (252 for Awosika to 253 for Sorsdal), but Awosika seemed to be the preferred option late in the season and in the playoffs when Jackson went down. In fact, Sorsdal didn't see a single offensive snap during the playoff run. They both have the flexibility to play tackle or guard, which is good, but ultimately we can only keep three or maybe four backups on the active roster. The other will almost certainly get a practice squad invite if they clear waivers. It's worth mentioning that they don't usually use Skipper as a LT or RT, but rather as a jumbo TE. He would only fill in for Decker or Sewell in the case of a real all-hands-on-deck emergency. This could be the transitionary role Manu takes over this year or next as he develops.

I would think we would go with one of Awosika or Sorsdal as a backup lineman available to plug anywhere on the line, Skipper in the jumbo TE / emergency tackle role, Mahogany as a backup guard, and Manu as a 3rd string tackle who is inactive most weeks this year, unless forced in due to injury. The tough part is that our first alternative at center is probably going to be Glasgow, which means we are shifting two spots on the line with one (probably most likely) injury.

Sorsdal was a developmental pick; small school guy, switching positions, training at several spots, I think he probably exceeded expectations for his rookie year.

[MichiganCardinal]

DPD said two arrests and two juvenile detentions all weekend. That's incredible. Detroit should be proud.

[Longgone]

On 4/27/2024 at 4:46 PM, RandyMarsh said:

I think a Millen grade is a little harsh but I too am not crazy about giving up a 2025 third for him. OTOH assuming we are what we expect to be next year it would equate to around the 100th pick, so giving up the 100th pick next year to get a 150ish ranked prospect this year isn't that outrageous. 

Obviously, the lions had him graded much higher than that, or they wouldn’t have made the deal. The reason for his low rankings in the media was lack of knowledge, not lack of promise.

[Motown Bombers]

The size and athleticism from Manu is impressive. He's really coming into a great situation. The Lions already have two very good tackles and they have one of the best offensive line coaches in the league. If there ever was a place where a lineman can reach his potential, it's the Lions. 

[Motown Bombers]

Guessing the 2023 class was weighed down, literally, by Brodric Martin.

 

Edited April 30 by Motown Bombers

[KnoxP]

8 hours ago, MichiganCardinal said:

DPD said two arrests and two juvenile detentions all weekend. That's incredible. Detroit should be proud.

The #'s that attended are even more convincing how much Detroit is a sports town and that pride is generated by our teams. It may be obvious...there is causal relationship (is that correct?) between the success of the Lions and the self esteem the city has, which can be a reason for less stupid acts. I imagine this has been studied somewhere by someone. 

Good for Detroit and the Lions. Don't underestimate what Campbell, Holmes and the players have done for not only the team but also the city.

👍

[RatkoVarda]

 

[Motown Bombers]

Manu probably wasn't going to be the backup tackle anyways. He is most likely to be inactive like Martin was last year. I was thinking Skipper was the likely backup tackle unless they think Sorsdal can do it. 

[Jason_R]

9 hours ago, MichiganCardinal said:

DPD said two arrests and two juvenile detentions all weekend. That's incredible. Detroit should be proud.

Oddly, all were related to Cam Sutton. 

[Hongbit]

Super interesting thread especially for everyone like myself that was clamoring for a later round WR.   Obviously Brad was aware of these numbers. 

Note:  YPRR is yards per route run.  Basic equation of receiving yards divided by total routes run.    

[MichiganCardinal]

2 hours ago, RatkoVarda said:

 

I'm very doubtful they pick up a veteran OT unless it is just to compete for a spot in training camp. Eight roster spots on the line are likely accounted for between the starters, Mahogany, Manu, and Skipper... Picking up a veteran OT for more than the veteran minimum would mean they are ready to throw in the towel on both Sorsdal and Awosika before camp even begins. I think those two will compete for the OT3 role with the other getting a practice squad invitation. Skipper is OT4, he's more likely to come in for a jumbo TE set than he is to actually be a regular OT.

If we deal with injuries, then you'll hopefully have the other of Sorsdal and Awosika on the practice squad to call up, and can also add a vet at that point. But the rookie additions should allow Sorsdal and Awosika to focus exclusively on the OT position this offseason, which will hopefully relate to at least one of them showing marked improvement.

[1984Echoes]

3 hours ago, RatkoVarda said:

 

I'd rather have Manu as a backup T than G. Start him out at RT. I think he'd be great there and when Decker retires or moves on Sewell swings over to LT and insert Manu.

[1984Echoes]

33 minutes ago, MichiganCardinal said:

I'm very doubtful they pick up a veteran OT unless it is just to compete for a spot in training camp. Eight roster spots on the line are likely accounted for between the starters, Mahogany, Manu, and Skipper... Picking up a veteran OT for more than the veteran minimum would mean they are ready to throw in the towel on both Sorsdal and Awosika before camp even begins. I think those two will compete for the OT3 role with the other getting a practice squad invitation. Skipper is OT4, he's more likely to come in for a jumbo TE set than he is to actually be a regular OT.

If we deal with injuries, then you'll hopefully have the other of Sorsdal and Awosika on the practice squad to call up, and can also add a vet at that point. But the rookie additions should allow Sorsdal and Awosika to focus exclusively on the OT position this offseason, which will hopefully relate to at least one of them showing marked improvement.

Just my 2 cents:

I like Awosika, Sorsdal, and Mahogany as backup G options. Whether on the 53 or practice squad.

Despite what the team is saying about Manu, I like Manu, Skipper, and Sorsdal as the backup T options.

I don't like our backup Center options. Glasgow (our starting Guard), and...?

I think we WANT at least 1, possibly 2 of these UDFA Centers to make the practice squad. I mean, we gotta have SOMETHING as a plan B... don't we?

[Motown Bombers]

Basically it was the 40 time. 

[Motown Bombers]

 

[MichiganCardinal]

31 minutes ago, Motown Bombers said:

 

If I had to say what I thought was the biggest weakness on the Lions right now, I would say it's the edge opposite Hutch. I know they grabbed Davenport, but I'm not sure how reliable he will be. It sure would be nice to see what Hutch could do when teams didn't double team him for once.

Maybe it's a part of their master plan to drive his price down next offseason lol

They could still grab a free agent on a one-year prove-it. Yannick Ngakoue was not good last year with the Bears but is only a year removed from two straight 9+ sack seasons. Carl Lawson is in a similar boat, but to a slightly lesser extent on the past success. Calais Campbell is available too, but he'll be 38 when the season begins. He might be trying to wait until late in the season to hop on a contender. All three of them might be interested in one-year deals.

[Jimbo]

I think having a good (and possibly great) secondary will be almost as helpful to Hutch as another high end edge rusher.  You don't need another pro bowler on the opposite side when you have a good secondary.  You can afford to blitz when you have better coverage.  I am also curious how Campbell looks in his second year with a better secondary.  If you look at the whole off season, our defense is significantly better.