Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes does not care about your (or anyone’s) mock drafts and/or positional rankings, and he showcased that during Day 1 of the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday night by taking two players that, according to many “fans” out there, did not even know existed.
After executing a trade with the Arizona Cardinals to move back from #6 to #12 overall, the Lions stunned many by taking a running back in Alabama’s Jahmyr Gibbs, who played one season for the Crimson Tide in 2022 after playing his first two seasons with the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.
Then, at pick #18 overall, the Lions continued to raise many eyebrows after taking Iowa middle linebacker Jack Campbell.
Ultimately, Brad Holmes took guys that were, one, ranked at the top of their board, and two, guys that fit their identity and system.
