Jason_R

Yes, this is probably right. And in light of this maybe Holmes played his hand too aggressively, thinking he could wait Chark out, let the market reveal its price, then meet it. In any case, X will be a need going into draft day.

Yes, I would take Gonzalez (but not Witherspoon) before Skoronski. And I would be surprised if Holmes takes the WR at 6. But maybe that's why they let Clark walk.

I don't love Skoronski at 6, but I would understand it. If Carter hadn't disqualified himself as a prospect it would be out of the question. Skoronski is sliding down a bit in some mocks. Early on it seems he was in the 7-12 range. Now some mocks have him going as late as 16 to Tennessee. He won't be around at 18. He's similar to his predecessor, Rashawn Slater, maybe not quite athletically as gifted (9.28 RAS to Slater's 9.96). But he could easily be a Pro Bowl player at OG then kick to RG at the end of 2024 when Decker's contract is up and Sewell gets paid. And again, you have Vaitai at RG who has back issues, Ragnow who has foot issues, and Glasgow backing up both spots. Skoronski would play at a high level for ten years. Maybe they like one of the DL better at 6, but I would get it if they went for Skoronski.

Exactly. But if we know anything about Holmes it is that he doesn’t make decisions that he doesn’t calculate.

Letting Chark walk for so cheap is a little surprising. Maybe they know something the rest of us don’t about his health. Or maybe there is a guy they really like in the draft. But I don’t feel great going into this season with a rookie starting on the outside. would Holmes really trade for Hopkins? Or it sounds like Denver wants to unload its young receivers

https://www.motownlions.com/2023/03/24/mounting-character-concerns-mean-detroit-lions-pass-on-jalen-carter-for-now-in-mock-draft/ Birkett is mocking Skoronski to Detroit at 6. I’ve seen him as a dark horse candidate at 6 for a while. Maybe it is a bit of a luxury to pick a guard at 6, but he will play in the league at a high level for a decade. And with health questions for Ragnow and Vaitai, maybe he would be less of a luxury than we expect now.

Yes, but where will they get their X? I still think they have a hole in their WR room.

Should we keep Goff as a backup just in case?

Plus Stroud might actually turn out to be as good as the QB we already have, so YOLO!

I agree with this. I hope it is not early. Especially since we now need an X receiver, either in the draft or by trading for one.

He didn’t prove it.

What is harder to imagine… Tennessee drafting a QB this season after drafting Willis, or them NOT drafting a QB this season after drafting Willis?

Small sample size alert. He needs about a thousand attempts in the NFL before you can really tell. /s

He might be better “between the helmet” than Brady, Manning, and Johnny Unitas put together. Let’s trade our next two drafts and find out.

Fellas, the Lions have five picks in the top 81. Use them ALL on drafting a QB in a box. That way we can’t miss. We will fill the roles of immediate backup QB as well as developing a couple of future starters and backups who are currently injured. And this will send a message to Goff that he better not have a bad game.

AG and CGJ

Speaking of the wisdom of men like Holmes, Campbell, and Glenn, here’s CGJ on AG. Said he would text AG every time he screwed up to get encouragement. “…I remember him telling me, ‘By the time I get you again, where I’m going to be at, you’re going to be exactly where I need you to be.” That’s really profound from AG. And an under appreciated reason why players want to play for these guys. Who wouldn’t want a mentor like that? https://www.motownlions.com/2023/03/20/lions-c-j-gardner-johnson-helps-usher-in-revamped-corps-of-defensive-backs/

It’s possible the kid is just depressed after everything that went down. Maybe being in an NFL locker room with a bunch of grown men to help him get his mind right is what he needs. Or maybe he’s been coasting on his talent thinking the rules don’t apply to him. Either way, I think Holmes and Campbell will have a good read on him.

Yeah, I haven't been clear whether there is a scheme fit either and I don't know why you trade up to get someone who doesn't fit your scheme. I know people will say what about Aaron Donald. If Holmes thinks Anderson will become Aaron Donald, and he falls to them, then great, pick him. But even if he might become AD, you have to deal with: 1) Arizona might want him too; 2) Indy might trade up for a QB; 3) one or more surprise teams might want Anderson; 4) one or more surprise teams might want to trade up for a QB. I just don't see talk of a trade up as having any basis in any reality that Holmes is living in.

Arizona is in a great spot. They will take their pick of probably three trade options.

It seems his negotiations impacted the strange course of events with Slay.

Secondary is now a strength. Holmes is diabolical.

Still a lot of one year deals in the secondary. Gonzalez still has to be in the mix. But now CB isn’t a hole to fill.

Holmes is showing us how free agency is done. Already the best Lions GM ever.

He was on a prove it deal but didn’t quite prove it. Still, would like to keep him until they have to pay ASB. This draft or next they can find Chark’s replacement as X receiver.