2025 Detroit Lions: 1-1 Lion crush Da Bears. Still seats available on the Bandwagon. (149 Viewers)

[BobbyLayne]

I don't know why this popped up in my feed this morning - it's from NFCCG week - but this is a really interesting Tweetstorm of core plays in the Ben Johnson offense, with clips to illustrate each play:

Detroit Lions Offense

• PA Drift
• PA Dagger
• PA Cross
• Pylon Sail
• Choice Return
• Choice Bunch
• Choice Levels
• Shallow
• Crunch/Short Trap
• Long Trap/Tackle Wrap
• Duo Wrap
• Counter Weak
• Crack Toss
• Slip Screens
• Tunnel Screens

 

[Leroy Hoard]

PFF 2024 offensive line rankings:

Updated 2024 NFL offensive line rankings: Lions take top spot, led by Penei Sewell and Frank Ragnow

We rank all 32 NFL offensive lines ahead of the 2024 season, beginning with the Detroit Lions.

www.pff.com

 

[jon_mx]

Just how good is Brad Holmes vs. the average NFL GM?



NFL overall Draft Pick Success Rate regardless of rounds (study 1996-2016 picks):

(A+) 1% - In discussion for HOF, multi-year all-pro

(A) 7% - Very good starter, earns second contract, maybe a pro-bowl, long career

(B) 12% - Solid Starter, middle of the pack or below, plays numerous years in the league.

(C) 10% - Mostly non-starter, but contributes as rotational piece or occasional starter

(D) 52% - Poor or useless. Used on a very limited basis.

(F) 17% - Never played for the team or was cut early



My slightly premature ratings of Brad’s performance in his first three drafts. I put players in categories in which I am very confident they have reached that level or will attain that this year based on their current place on the depth chart. About half of them are very capable of moving up a category, so the final grades should move up for several while at most only 1 or 2 should fall.

Brad’s Record (*players could move up):

(A+) Penei, Saint, Hutch (14%)

(A) Iffy, McNeil, Branch*, Gibbs*, LaPorta* (23%)

(B) Houston*, Campbell*, Joseph*, Jamo* (18%)

(C) Barnes*, Rodrigues, Martin*, Sorsdal*, Green*, Pascal, Mitchell (32%)

(D) Levi*, Jefferson (9%)

(F) Lucas (5%)

Way too early even for preliminary grade on current rookies or Hooker.

An average GM would have had 0 picks in the A+ category, Brad has 3 and counting. An average GM would have had 2 picks in the A category, Brad has 5 and counting. An average GM would have had 2 picks in the B category, Brad has 4 and counting. Bottom line, over Brad's first three years he has given us 8 more quality starters than what the average GM would have given us. Brad is easily in the top tier of the best GMs in the league, especially when evaluating his success in the draft.

Overall in the NFL, nearly 70% of draft picks end up in the D or F category, so Brad should have whiffed on 15 picks. Brad has only whiffed on only 2 or maybe 3, and 2 were in round 7. Most of the D and F category numbers are driven by rounds 4 thru 7, but there are still a lot of failures in rounds 1 thru 3. Brad's success rate is obscene compared to the typical GMs. Historically the Lions have been at the bottom of the barrel at the draft pick success rate. Looking at our higher draft picks, especially evaluating second rounders, historically the success rate is pathetic. Brad has completely flipped the script on Lions drafting woes.

 

[Moonlight]

Just how good is Brad Holmes vs. the average NFL GM?



NFL overall Draft Pick Success Rate regardless of rounds (study 1996-2016 picks):

(A+) 1% - In discussion for HOF, multi-year all-pro

(A) 7% - Very good starter, earns second contract, maybe a pro-bowl, long career

(B) 12% - Solid Starter, middle of the pack or below, plays numerous years in the league.

(C) 10% - Mostly non-starter, but contributes as rotational piece or occasional starter

(D) 52% - Poor or useless. Used on a very limited basis.

(F) 17% - Never played for the team or was cut early



My slightly premature ratings of Brad’s performance in his first three drafts. I put players in categories in which I am very confident they have reached that level or will attain that this year based on their current place on the depth chart. About half of them are very capable of moving up a category, so the final grades should move up for several while at most only 1 or 2 should fall.

Brad’s Record (*players could move up):

(A+) Penei, Saint, Hutch (14%)

(A) Iffy, McNeil, Branch*, Gibbs*, LaPorta* (23%)

(B) Houston*, Campbell*, Joseph*, Jamo* (18%)

(C) Barnes*, Rodrigues, Martin*, Sorsdal*, Green*, Pascal, Mitchell (32%)

(D) Levi*, Jefferson (9%)

(F) Lucas (5%)

Way too early even for preliminary grade on current rookies or Hooker.

An average GM would have had 0 picks in the A+ category, Brad has 3 and counting. An average GM would have had 2 picks in the A category, Brad has 5 and counting. An average GM would have had 2 picks in the B category, Brad has 4 and counting. Bottom line, over Brad's first three years he has given us 8 more quality starters than what the average GM would have given us. Brad is easily in the top tier of the best GMs in the league, especially when evaluating his success in the draft.

Overall in the NFL, nearly 70% of draft picks end up in the D or F category, so Brad should have whiffed on 15 picks. Brad has only whiffed on only 2 or maybe 3, and 2 were in round 7. Most of the D and F category numbers are driven by rounds 4 thru 7, but there are still a lot of failures in rounds 1 thru 3. Brad's success rate is obscene compared to the typical GMs. Historically the Lions have been at the bottom of the barrel at the draft pick success rate. Looking at our higher draft picks, especially evaluating second rounders, historically the success rate is pathetic. Brad has completely flipped the script on Lions drafting woes.

Your projecting good to very good future performance for several of these players. I dont consider Jamo to be a solid starter yet. Houston to date is a rotational piece. Campbell had serious deficiencies in pass coverage which if not improved will put him in the rotational, occasional starter category. Some of the others whether due to injury or being rookies last year have had only one year of solid production. I'm referring to Iffy and Branch here.
Martin was in the poor/useless category last year. Needs to show improvement.
You are betting on the potential of the players and they may all turn out as projected but odds are not all will.

 

[jon_mx]

Just how good is Brad Holmes vs. the average NFL GM?



NFL overall Draft Pick Success Rate regardless of rounds (study 1996-2016 picks):

(A+) 1% - In discussion for HOF, multi-year all-pro

(A) 7% - Very good starter, earns second contract, maybe a pro-bowl, long career

(B) 12% - Solid Starter, middle of the pack or below, plays numerous years in the league.

(C) 10% - Mostly non-starter, but contributes as rotational piece or occasional starter

(D) 52% - Poor or useless. Used on a very limited basis.

(F) 17% - Never played for the team or was cut early



My slightly premature ratings of Brad’s performance in his first three drafts. I put players in categories in which I am very confident they have reached that level or will attain that this year based on their current place on the depth chart. About half of them are very capable of moving up a category, so the final grades should move up for several while at most only 1 or 2 should fall.

Brad’s Record (*players could move up):

(A+) Penei, Saint, Hutch (14%)

(A) Iffy, McNeil, Branch*, Gibbs*, LaPorta* (23%)

(B) Houston*, Campbell*, Joseph*, Jamo* (18%)

(C) Barnes*, Rodrigues, Martin*, Sorsdal*, Green*, Pascal, Mitchell (32%)

(D) Levi*, Jefferson (9%)

(F) Lucas (5%)

Way too early even for preliminary grade on current rookies or Hooker.

An average GM would have had 0 picks in the A+ category, Brad has 3 and counting. An average GM would have had 2 picks in the A category, Brad has 5 and counting. An average GM would have had 2 picks in the B category, Brad has 4 and counting. Bottom line, over Brad's first three years he has given us 8 more quality starters than what the average GM would have given us. Brad is easily in the top tier of the best GMs in the league, especially when evaluating his success in the draft.

Overall in the NFL, nearly 70% of draft picks end up in the D or F category, so Brad should have whiffed on 15 picks. Brad has only whiffed on only 2 or maybe 3, and 2 were in round 7. Most of the D and F category numbers are driven by rounds 4 thru 7, but there are still a lot of failures in rounds 1 thru 3. Brad's success rate is obscene compared to the typical GMs. Historically the Lions have been at the bottom of the barrel at the draft pick success rate. Looking at our higher draft picks, especially evaluating second rounders, historically the success rate is pathetic. Brad has completely flipped the script on Lions drafting woes.

Your projecting good to very good future performance for several of these players. I dont consider Jamo to be a solid starter yet. Houston to date is a rotational piece. Campbell had serious deficiencies in pass coverage which if not improved will put him in the rotational, occasional starter category. Some of the others whether due to injury or being rookies last year have had only one year of solid production. I'm referring to Iffy and Branch here.
Martin was in the poor/useless category last year. Needs to show improvement.
You are betting on the potential of the players and they may all turn out as projected but odds are not all will.

Jamo is the #2 and is a lock for 700 plus yards. I would bet anything on that. Campbell is talked about getting the green dot and has been balling out in camp with interceptions and deflections. Nobody has sounded any concerns about his coverage. Houston may continue to be used as a specialists, but anyone who can contribute 7 or 8 sacks, contribution is as important as any starter and is a good player. Sure these are a bit premature projections, but I have been fairly spot on with 'hyperbole' projections which ended up really close.

And Branch is an absolute stud.

 

[Ilov80s]

Just how good is Brad Holmes vs. the average NFL GM?



NFL overall Draft Pick Success Rate regardless of rounds (study 1996-2016 picks):

(A+) 1% - In discussion for HOF, multi-year all-pro

(A) 7% - Very good starter, earns second contract, maybe a pro-bowl, long career

(B) 12% - Solid Starter, middle of the pack or below, plays numerous years in the league.

(C) 10% - Mostly non-starter, but contributes as rotational piece or occasional starter

(D) 52% - Poor or useless. Used on a very limited basis.

(F) 17% - Never played for the team or was cut early



My slightly premature ratings of Brad’s performance in his first three drafts. I put players in categories in which I am very confident they have reached that level or will attain that this year based on their current place on the depth chart. About half of them are very capable of moving up a category, so the final grades should move up for several while at most only 1 or 2 should fall.

Brad’s Record (*players could move up):

(A+) Penei, Saint, Hutch (14%)

(A) Iffy, McNeil, Branch*, Gibbs*, LaPorta* (23%)

(B) Houston*, Campbell*, Joseph*, Jamo* (18%)

(C) Barnes*, Rodrigues, Martin*, Sorsdal*, Green*, Pascal, Mitchell (32%)

(D) Levi*, Jefferson (9%)

(F) Lucas (5%)

Way too early even for preliminary grade on current rookies or Hooker.

An average GM would have had 0 picks in the A+ category, Brad has 3 and counting. An average GM would have had 2 picks in the A category, Brad has 5 and counting. An average GM would have had 2 picks in the B category, Brad has 4 and counting. Bottom line, over Brad's first three years he has given us 8 more quality starters than what the average GM would have given us. Brad is easily in the top tier of the best GMs in the league, especially when evaluating his success in the draft.

Overall in the NFL, nearly 70% of draft picks end up in the D or F category, so Brad should have whiffed on 15 picks. Brad has only whiffed on only 2 or maybe 3, and 2 were in round 7. Most of the D and F category numbers are driven by rounds 4 thru 7, but there are still a lot of failures in rounds 1 thru 3. Brad's success rate is obscene compared to the typical GMs. Historically the Lions have been at the bottom of the barrel at the draft pick success rate. Looking at our higher draft picks, especially evaluating second rounders, historically the success rate is pathetic. Brad has completely flipped the script on Lions drafting woes.

Your projecting good to very good future performance for several of these players. I dont consider Jamo to be a solid starter yet. Houston to date is a rotational piece. Campbell had serious deficiencies in pass coverage which if not improved will put him in the rotational, occasional starter category. Some of the others whether due to injury or being rookies last year have had only one year of solid production. I'm referring to Iffy and Branch here.
Martin was in the poor/useless category last year. Needs to show improvement.
You are betting on the potential of the players and they may all turn out as projected but odds are not all will.

Yeah he is taking the most rosy view possible of every player. Very unlikely every single Lion hits their best outcome. Some are to regress, get hurt, etc. I love Hutch but he’s not ready to be in the future HOF convo. Not at all.

 

[jon_mx]

Just how good is Brad Holmes vs. the average NFL GM?



NFL overall Draft Pick Success Rate regardless of rounds (study 1996-2016 picks):

(A+) 1% - In discussion for HOF, multi-year all-pro

(A) 7% - Very good starter, earns second contract, maybe a pro-bowl, long career

(B) 12% - Solid Starter, middle of the pack or below, plays numerous years in the league.

(C) 10% - Mostly non-starter, but contributes as rotational piece or occasional starter

(D) 52% - Poor or useless. Used on a very limited basis.

(F) 17% - Never played for the team or was cut early



My slightly premature ratings of Brad’s performance in his first three drafts. I put players in categories in which I am very confident they have reached that level or will attain that this year based on their current place on the depth chart. About half of them are very capable of moving up a category, so the final grades should move up for several while at most only 1 or 2 should fall.

Brad’s Record (*players could move up):

(A+) Penei, Saint, Hutch (14%)

(A) Iffy, McNeil, Branch*, Gibbs*, LaPorta* (23%)

(B) Houston*, Campbell*, Joseph*, Jamo* (18%)

(C) Barnes*, Rodrigues, Martin*, Sorsdal*, Green*, Pascal, Mitchell (32%)

(D) Levi*, Jefferson (9%)

(F) Lucas (5%)

Way too early even for preliminary grade on current rookies or Hooker.

An average GM would have had 0 picks in the A+ category, Brad has 3 and counting. An average GM would have had 2 picks in the A category, Brad has 5 and counting. An average GM would have had 2 picks in the B category, Brad has 4 and counting. Bottom line, over Brad's first three years he has given us 8 more quality starters than what the average GM would have given us. Brad is easily in the top tier of the best GMs in the league, especially when evaluating his success in the draft.

Overall in the NFL, nearly 70% of draft picks end up in the D or F category, so Brad should have whiffed on 15 picks. Brad has only whiffed on only 2 or maybe 3, and 2 were in round 7. Most of the D and F category numbers are driven by rounds 4 thru 7, but there are still a lot of failures in rounds 1 thru 3. Brad's success rate is obscene compared to the typical GMs. Historically the Lions have been at the bottom of the barrel at the draft pick success rate. Looking at our higher draft picks, especially evaluating second rounders, historically the success rate is pathetic. Brad has completely flipped the script on Lions drafting woes.

Your projecting good to very good future performance for several of these players. I dont consider Jamo to be a solid starter yet. Houston to date is a rotational piece. Campbell had serious deficiencies in pass coverage which if not improved will put him in the rotational, occasional starter category. Some of the others whether due to injury or being rookies last year have had only one year of solid production. I'm referring to Iffy and Branch here.
Martin was in the poor/useless category last year. Needs to show improvement.
You are betting on the potential of the players and they may all turn out as projected but odds are not all will.

Yeah he is taking the most rosy view possible of every player. Very unlikely every single Lion hits their best outcome. Some are to regress, get hurt, etc. I love Hutch but he’s not ready to be in the future HOF convo. Not at all.

Yeah, but he will be stacking up all-pro seasons and will be near the top of DPOY voting this season. Not HOF material but clearly is ready for an elite season. Every projection every made in the history of sports would be derailed by injury.

Sorry if I believe in their payers and their processes and I have yet to be disappointed. We went from a team which only got their punter to the pro-bowl, to now having 5 players selected and 7 alternates last season. Clearly Holmes is doing an incredible job and I was trying to give some perspective to quantify what he has accomplished. There seems to be an allergy to optimism.

 

[Ilov80s]

Just how good is Brad Holmes vs. the average NFL GM?



NFL overall Draft Pick Success Rate regardless of rounds (study 1996-2016 picks):

(A+) 1% - In discussion for HOF, multi-year all-pro

(A) 7% - Very good starter, earns second contract, maybe a pro-bowl, long career

(B) 12% - Solid Starter, middle of the pack or below, plays numerous years in the league.

(C) 10% - Mostly non-starter, but contributes as rotational piece or occasional starter

(D) 52% - Poor or useless. Used on a very limited basis.

(F) 17% - Never played for the team or was cut early



My slightly premature ratings of Brad’s performance in his first three drafts. I put players in categories in which I am very confident they have reached that level or will attain that this year based on their current place on the depth chart. About half of them are very capable of moving up a category, so the final grades should move up for several while at most only 1 or 2 should fall.

Brad’s Record (*players could move up):

(A+) Penei, Saint, Hutch (14%)

(A) Iffy, McNeil, Branch*, Gibbs*, LaPorta* (23%)

(B) Houston*, Campbell*, Joseph*, Jamo* (18%)

(C) Barnes*, Rodrigues, Martin*, Sorsdal*, Green*, Pascal, Mitchell (32%)

(D) Levi*, Jefferson (9%)

(F) Lucas (5%)

Way too early even for preliminary grade on current rookies or Hooker.

An average GM would have had 0 picks in the A+ category, Brad has 3 and counting. An average GM would have had 2 picks in the A category, Brad has 5 and counting. An average GM would have had 2 picks in the B category, Brad has 4 and counting. Bottom line, over Brad's first three years he has given us 8 more quality starters than what the average GM would have given us. Brad is easily in the top tier of the best GMs in the league, especially when evaluating his success in the draft.

Overall in the NFL, nearly 70% of draft picks end up in the D or F category, so Brad should have whiffed on 15 picks. Brad has only whiffed on only 2 or maybe 3, and 2 were in round 7. Most of the D and F category numbers are driven by rounds 4 thru 7, but there are still a lot of failures in rounds 1 thru 3. Brad's success rate is obscene compared to the typical GMs. Historically the Lions have been at the bottom of the barrel at the draft pick success rate. Looking at our higher draft picks, especially evaluating second rounders, historically the success rate is pathetic. Brad has completely flipped the script on Lions drafting woes.

Your projecting good to very good future performance for several of these players. I dont consider Jamo to be a solid starter yet. Houston to date is a rotational piece. Campbell had serious deficiencies in pass coverage which if not improved will put him in the rotational, occasional starter category. Some of the others whether due to injury or being rookies last year have had only one year of solid production. I'm referring to Iffy and Branch here.
Martin was in the poor/useless category last year. Needs to show improvement.
You are betting on the potential of the players and they may all turn out as projected but odds are not all will.

Yeah he is taking the most rosy view possible of every player. Very unlikely every single Lion hits their best outcome. Some are to regress, get hurt, etc. I love Hutch but he’s not ready to be in the future HOF convo. Not at all.

Yeah, but he will be stacking up all-pro seasons and will be near the top of DPOY voting this season. Not HOF material but clearly is ready for an elite season. Every projection every made in the history of sports would be derailed by injury.

Sorry if I believe in their payers and their processes and I have yet to be disappointed. We went from a team which only got their punter to the pro-bowl, to now having 5 players selected and 7 alternates last season. Clearly Holmes is doing an incredible job and I was trying to give some perspective to quantify what he has accomplished. There seems to be an allergy to optimism.

Holmes is doing incredibly well and I’m loving it.

 

[BobbyLayne]

itty bitty gritty Lions

 

[BobbyLayne]

All 22 Films:

'All Business': Jack Campbell Rookie Film Study and 2024 Projection

 

[jon_mx]

All 22 Films:

'All Business': Jack Campbell Rookie Film Study and 2024 Projection

He does a great job at diving into the film and providing solid analysis. PFF while interesting, at times gets things completely wrong. Campbell will near the top of the league in tackles.

 

[jon_mx]

Sutton getting an 8-game suspension should validate the Lions voiding his contract and taking the cap hit off our books.

 

[Faust]

DE Aidan Hutchinson believes Lions are hungry, built for success

 

[Moonlight]

Just how good is Brad Holmes vs. the average NFL GM?



NFL overall Draft Pick Success Rate regardless of rounds (study 1996-2016 picks):

(A+) 1% - In discussion for HOF, multi-year all-pro

(A) 7% - Very good starter, earns second contract, maybe a pro-bowl, long career

(B) 12% - Solid Starter, middle of the pack or below, plays numerous years in the league.

(C) 10% - Mostly non-starter, but contributes as rotational piece or occasional starter

(D) 52% - Poor or useless. Used on a very limited basis.

(F) 17% - Never played for the team or was cut early



My slightly premature ratings of Brad’s performance in his first three drafts. I put players in categories in which I am very confident they have reached that level or will attain that this year based on their current place on the depth chart. About half of them are very capable of moving up a category, so the final grades should move up for several while at most only 1 or 2 should fall.

Brad’s Record (*players could move up):

(A+) Penei, Saint, Hutch (14%)

(A) Iffy, McNeil, Branch*, Gibbs*, LaPorta* (23%)

(B) Houston*, Campbell*, Joseph*, Jamo* (18%)

(C) Barnes*, Rodrigues, Martin*, Sorsdal*, Green*, Pascal, Mitchell (32%)

(D) Levi*, Jefferson (9%)

(F) Lucas (5%)

Way too early even for preliminary grade on current rookies or Hooker.

An average GM would have had 0 picks in the A+ category, Brad has 3 and counting. An average GM would have had 2 picks in the A category, Brad has 5 and counting. An average GM would have had 2 picks in the B category, Brad has 4 and counting. Bottom line, over Brad's first three years he has given us 8 more quality starters than what the average GM would have given us. Brad is easily in the top tier of the best GMs in the league, especially when evaluating his success in the draft.

Overall in the NFL, nearly 70% of draft picks end up in the D or F category, so Brad should have whiffed on 15 picks. Brad has only whiffed on only 2 or maybe 3, and 2 were in round 7. Most of the D and F category numbers are driven by rounds 4 thru 7, but there are still a lot of failures in rounds 1 thru 3. Brad's success rate is obscene compared to the typical GMs. Historically the Lions have been at the bottom of the barrel at the draft pick success rate. Looking at our higher draft picks, especially evaluating second rounders, historically the success rate is pathetic. Brad has completely flipped the script on Lions drafting woes.

Your projecting good to very good future performance for several of these players. I dont consider Jamo to be a solid starter yet. Houston to date is a rotational piece. Campbell had serious deficiencies in pass coverage which if not improved will put him in the rotational, occasional starter category. Some of the others whether due to injury or being rookies last year have had only one year of solid production. I'm referring to Iffy and Branch here.
Martin was in the poor/useless category last year. Needs to show improvement.
You are betting on the potential of the players and they may all turn out as projected but odds are not all will.

Yeah he is taking the most rosy view possible of every player. Very unlikely every single Lion hits their best outcome. Some are to regress, get hurt, etc. I love Hutch but he’s not ready to be in the future HOF convo. Not at all.

Yeah, but he will be stacking up all-pro seasons and will be near the top of DPOY voting this season. Not HOF material but clearly is ready for an elite season. Every projection every made in the history of sports would be derailed by injury.

Sorry if I believe in their payers and their processes and I have yet to be disappointed. We went from a team which only got their punter to the pro-bowl, to now having 5 players selected and 7 alternates last season. Clearly Holmes is doing an incredible job and I was trying to give some perspective to quantify what he has accomplished. There seems to be an allergy to optimism.

Holmes has done a great job but not every pick is going to turn out. Some of these guys need to prove themselves. Rodrigo had problems in pass coverage his rookie year and still does. Hopefully, Campbell does improve as he is a first round choice compared to Rodrigo who was a day three pick.

I'm intrigued by Holmes' trading up to draft project players such as Martin and Manu. Usually when you draft a project player a GM doesn't have to throw in extra draft capital. If these picks strike gold then Holmes is seeing things that others do not and deserves more accolades.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

PFF picked one player to watch for each team in the 2025 NFL Draft:

DETROIT LIONS: WR ELIC AYOMANOR, STANFORD

I am calling my shot here: I love this player-team fit. The 6-foot-2 210-pound Ayomanor tore his ACL, MCL and meniscus before Week 1 of his true freshman season, rehabbed during all of 2022, and came back in 2023 to showcase an all-around skill set that featured track background speed, nuanced releases and routes, and above-average blocking strength and mentality.

Get him in a group with Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, and Detroit's offense will continue to cook.

 

[jon_mx]

Just how good is Brad Holmes vs. the average NFL GM?



NFL overall Draft Pick Success Rate regardless of rounds (study 1996-2016 picks):

(A+) 1% - In discussion for HOF, multi-year all-pro

(A) 7% - Very good starter, earns second contract, maybe a pro-bowl, long career

(B) 12% - Solid Starter, middle of the pack or below, plays numerous years in the league.

(C) 10% - Mostly non-starter, but contributes as rotational piece or occasional starter

(D) 52% - Poor or useless. Used on a very limited basis.

(F) 17% - Never played for the team or was cut early



My slightly premature ratings of Brad’s performance in his first three drafts. I put players in categories in which I am very confident they have reached that level or will attain that this year based on their current place on the depth chart. About half of them are very capable of moving up a category, so the final grades should move up for several while at most only 1 or 2 should fall.

Brad’s Record (*players could move up):

(A+) Penei, Saint, Hutch (14%)

(A) Iffy, McNeil, Branch*, Gibbs*, LaPorta* (23%)

(B) Houston*, Campbell*, Joseph*, Jamo* (18%)

(C) Barnes*, Rodrigues, Martin*, Sorsdal*, Green*, Pascal, Mitchell (32%)

(D) Levi*, Jefferson (9%)

(F) Lucas (5%)

Way too early even for preliminary grade on current rookies or Hooker.

An average GM would have had 0 picks in the A+ category, Brad has 3 and counting. An average GM would have had 2 picks in the A category, Brad has 5 and counting. An average GM would have had 2 picks in the B category, Brad has 4 and counting. Bottom line, over Brad's first three years he has given us 8 more quality starters than what the average GM would have given us. Brad is easily in the top tier of the best GMs in the league, especially when evaluating his success in the draft.

Overall in the NFL, nearly 70% of draft picks end up in the D or F category, so Brad should have whiffed on 15 picks. Brad has only whiffed on only 2 or maybe 3, and 2 were in round 7. Most of the D and F category numbers are driven by rounds 4 thru 7, but there are still a lot of failures in rounds 1 thru 3. Brad's success rate is obscene compared to the typical GMs. Historically the Lions have been at the bottom of the barrel at the draft pick success rate. Looking at our higher draft picks, especially evaluating second rounders, historically the success rate is pathetic. Brad has completely flipped the script on Lions drafting woes.

Your projecting good to very good future performance for several of these players. I dont consider Jamo to be a solid starter yet. Houston to date is a rotational piece. Campbell had serious deficiencies in pass coverage which if not improved will put him in the rotational, occasional starter category. Some of the others whether due to injury or being rookies last year have had only one year of solid production. I'm referring to Iffy and Branch here.
Martin was in the poor/useless category last year. Needs to show improvement.
You are betting on the potential of the players and they may all turn out as projected but odds are not all will.

Yeah he is taking the most rosy view possible of every player. Very unlikely every single Lion hits their best outcome. Some are to regress, get hurt, etc. I love Hutch but he’s not ready to be in the future HOF convo. Not at all.

Yeah, but he will be stacking up all-pro seasons and will be near the top of DPOY voting this season. Not HOF material but clearly is ready for an elite season. Every projection every made in the history of sports would be derailed by injury.

Sorry if I believe in their payers and their processes and I have yet to be disappointed. We went from a team which only got their punter to the pro-bowl, to now having 5 players selected and 7 alternates last season. Clearly Holmes is doing an incredible job and I was trying to give some perspective to quantify what he has accomplished. There seems to be an allergy to optimism.

Holmes has done a great job but not every pick is going to turn out. Some of these guys need to prove themselves. Rodrigo had problems in pass coverage his rookie year and still does. Hopefully, Campbell does improve as he is a first round choice compared to Rodrigo who was a day three pick.

I'm intrigued by Holmes' trading up to draft project players such as Martin and Manu. Usually when you draft a project player a GM doesn't have to throw in extra draft capital. If these picks strike gold then Holmes is seeing things that others do not and deserves more accolades.

Rodrigo was a 6th round pick and it always showed. He hung around purely on his heart and the Lions being extremely lacking at LB. Campbell has heart and is physically talented. He has tremendous upside and is not comparable to Rodrigo. Campbell will quiet the criticism of his game this season.

Holmes has the shortest draft board in the NFL. If he doesn't see the dog mentality in the player, the Lions are not interested. Holmes really has a great feel for the top part of the draft and has patience and makes great deals, but as we get deeper Holmes tends to reach, mostly because there are almost no players left he is interested in. When he sees a player late 3rd or 4th he still likes, he goes all out and gets him and does not care about giving a bit too much for it. Martin last season and Manu this year. That said, I think Wingo and Mahogany are potential gems in the 6th. Holmes strikeout rate is extremely low. Every GM misses on numerous picks every year.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Dan Campbell interview on Dallas radio 96.7 Ticket - July 10

Runs about 22 minutes, quick summary:

• Hay is in the barn, can’t wait to get TC started
• Not from Michigan but spent 3 years as a Lion, he knew the town would explode if they became a winner - our fans are incredible, that Wild Card game was the most electric crowd he ever played or coached in front of.
• Hunting versus hunted. Dan echoed the same sentiment as last year heading into training camp, this is entirely a new team and he needs to figure out ways to motivate each of the newcomers and get the most out of everyone.
• He still feels like they are hunting and it hurts they are 0-2 at ATT, he is still pissed about that game. But it's a brand new team and new season. The Dallas game is definitely circled on their calendar.
• Back when he was playing, the first half of his career he saw how many hours coaches put in & thought “man that’ll never be me.” But the back half of his career he realized that work ethic coaches have is exactly who he is, and he loves the challenge of solving a problem (protection schemes, how to fix a play they’re not exciting executing well, etc.)
• Coaching strategy. He was asked if he has learned anything from his previous tension points from last season and controversial calls. He replied that he has, he has basically reviewed each game in its entirety.
• They further probed and asked about his gambling mentality, he said he really doesn't know how the offense will run this year until about week 5 and that he has an idea of the identity and who they are but he's not 100% positive yet.
• Outside of that he didn't get into player specific, but he really had some great answers that fired up the hosts, they were even talking about how McCarthy could never talk like MCDC talks.

IDK about you guys but I could listen to MCDC all day. Most authentic person I can think of, dude absolutely means every word he says.

 

[BobbyLayne]

new All 22 Films Lions video dropped

Will Aidan Hutchinson Reach All-Pro Status in 2024? Lions Film Study

Coach goes long here (37:11), good stuff

 

[Da Guru]

Just how good is Brad Holmes vs. the average NFL GM?



NFL overall Draft Pick Success Rate regardless of rounds (study 1996-2016 picks):

(A+) 1% - In discussion for HOF, multi-year all-pro

(A) 7% - Very good starter, earns second contract, maybe a pro-bowl, long career

(B) 12% - Solid Starter, middle of the pack or below, plays numerous years in the league.

(C) 10% - Mostly non-starter, but contributes as rotational piece or occasional starter

(D) 52% - Poor or useless. Used on a very limited basis.

(F) 17% - Never played for the team or was cut early



My slightly premature ratings of Brad’s performance in his first three drafts. I put players in categories in which I am very confident they have reached that level or will attain that this year based on their current place on the depth chart. About half of them are very capable of moving up a category, so the final grades should move up for several while at most only 1 or 2 should fall.

Brad’s Record (*players could move up):

(A+) Penei, Saint, Hutch (14%)

(A) Iffy, McNeil, Branch*, Gibbs*, LaPorta* (23%)

(B) Houston*, Campbell*, Joseph*, Jamo* (18%)

(C) Barnes*, Rodrigues, Martin*, Sorsdal*, Green*, Pascal, Mitchell (32%)

(D) Levi*, Jefferson (9%)

(F) Lucas (5%)

Way too early even for preliminary grade on current rookies or Hooker.

An average GM would have had 0 picks in the A+ category, Brad has 3 and counting. An average GM would have had 2 picks in the A category, Brad has 5 and counting. An average GM would have had 2 picks in the B category, Brad has 4 and counting. Bottom line, over Brad's first three years he has given us 8 more quality starters than what the average GM would have given us. Brad is easily in the top tier of the best GMs in the league, especially when evaluating his success in the draft.

Overall in the NFL, nearly 70% of draft picks end up in the D or F category, so Brad should have whiffed on 15 picks. Brad has only whiffed on only 2 or maybe 3, and 2 were in round 7. Most of the D and F category numbers are driven by rounds 4 thru 7, but there are still a lot of failures in rounds 1 thru 3. Brad's success rate is obscene compared to the typical GMs. Historically the Lions have been at the bottom of the barrel at the draft pick success rate. Looking at our higher draft picks, especially evaluating second rounders, historically the success rate is pathetic. Brad has completely flipped the script on Lions drafting woes.

Your projecting good to very good future performance for several of these players. I dont consider Jamo to be a solid starter yet. Houston to date is a rotational piece. Campbell had serious deficiencies in pass coverage which if not improved will put him in the rotational, occasional starter category. Some of the others whether due to injury or being rookies last year have had only one year of solid production. I'm referring to Iffy and Branch here.
Martin was in the poor/useless category last year. Needs to show improvement.
You are betting on the potential of the players and they may all turn out as projected but odds are not all will.

Yeah he is taking the most rosy view possible of every player. Very unlikely every single Lion hits their best outcome. Some are to regress, get hurt, etc. I love Hutch but he’s not ready to be in the future HOF convo. Not at all.

Yeah, but he will be stacking up all-pro seasons and will be near the top of DPOY voting this season. Not HOF material but clearly is ready for an elite season. Every projection every made in the history of sports would be derailed by injury.

Sorry if I believe in their payers and their processes and I have yet to be disappointed. We went from a team which only got their punter to the pro-bowl, to now having 5 players selected and 7 alternates last season. Clearly Holmes is doing an incredible job and I was trying to give some perspective to quantify what he has accomplished. There seems to be an allergy to optimism.

Holmes has done a great job but not every pick is going to turn out. Some of these guys need to prove themselves. Rodrigo had problems in pass coverage his rookie year and still does. Hopefully, Campbell does improve as he is a first round choice compared to Rodrigo who was a day three pick.

I'm intrigued by Holmes' trading up to draft project players such as Martin and Manu. Usually when you draft a project player a GM doesn't have to throw in extra draft capital. If these picks strike gold then Holmes is seeing things that others do not and deserves more accolades.

Very interested in those 2 picks as it seems they would have been available much later. When I went to a couple practices last year Martin looked like a slow fat kid. Hopefully a year of training has whipped him into shape.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Just how good is Brad Holmes vs. the average NFL GM?



NFL overall Draft Pick Success Rate regardless of rounds (study 1996-2016 picks):

(A+) 1% - In discussion for HOF, multi-year all-pro

(A) 7% - Very good starter, earns second contract, maybe a pro-bowl, long career

(B) 12% - Solid Starter, middle of the pack or below, plays numerous years in the league.

(C) 10% - Mostly non-starter, but contributes as rotational piece or occasional starter

(D) 52% - Poor or useless. Used on a very limited basis.

(F) 17% - Never played for the team or was cut early



My slightly premature ratings of Brad’s performance in his first three drafts. I put players in categories in which I am very confident they have reached that level or will attain that this year based on their current place on the depth chart. About half of them are very capable of moving up a category, so the final grades should move up for several while at most only 1 or 2 should fall.

Brad’s Record (*players could move up):

(A+) Penei, Saint, Hutch (14%)

(A) Iffy, McNeil, Branch*, Gibbs*, LaPorta* (23%)

(B) Houston*, Campbell*, Joseph*, Jamo* (18%)

(C) Barnes*, Rodrigues, Martin*, Sorsdal*, Green*, Pascal, Mitchell (32%)

(D) Levi*, Jefferson (9%)

(F) Lucas (5%)

Way too early even for preliminary grade on current rookies or Hooker.

An average GM would have had 0 picks in the A+ category, Brad has 3 and counting. An average GM would have had 2 picks in the A category, Brad has 5 and counting. An average GM would have had 2 picks in the B category, Brad has 4 and counting. Bottom line, over Brad's first three years he has given us 8 more quality starters than what the average GM would have given us. Brad is easily in the top tier of the best GMs in the league, especially when evaluating his success in the draft.

Overall in the NFL, nearly 70% of draft picks end up in the D or F category, so Brad should have whiffed on 15 picks. Brad has only whiffed on only 2 or maybe 3, and 2 were in round 7. Most of the D and F category numbers are driven by rounds 4 thru 7, but there are still a lot of failures in rounds 1 thru 3. Brad's success rate is obscene compared to the typical GMs. Historically the Lions have been at the bottom of the barrel at the draft pick success rate. Looking at our higher draft picks, especially evaluating second rounders, historically the success rate is pathetic. Brad has completely flipped the script on Lions drafting woes.

Your projecting good to very good future performance for several of these players. I dont consider Jamo to be a solid starter yet. Houston to date is a rotational piece. Campbell had serious deficiencies in pass coverage which if not improved will put him in the rotational, occasional starter category. Some of the others whether due to injury or being rookies last year have had only one year of solid production. I'm referring to Iffy and Branch here.
Martin was in the poor/useless category last year. Needs to show improvement.
You are betting on the potential of the players and they may all turn out as projected but odds are not all will.

Yeah he is taking the most rosy view possible of every player. Very unlikely every single Lion hits their best outcome. Some are to regress, get hurt, etc. I love Hutch but he’s not ready to be in the future HOF convo. Not at all.

Yeah, but he will be stacking up all-pro seasons and will be near the top of DPOY voting this season. Not HOF material but clearly is ready for an elite season. Every projection every made in the history of sports would be derailed by injury.

Sorry if I believe in their payers and their processes and I have yet to be disappointed. We went from a team which only got their punter to the pro-bowl, to now having 5 players selected and 7 alternates last season. Clearly Holmes is doing an incredible job and I was trying to give some perspective to quantify what he has accomplished. There seems to be an allergy to optimism.

Holmes has done a great job but not every pick is going to turn out. Some of these guys need to prove themselves. Rodrigo had problems in pass coverage his rookie year and still does. Hopefully, Campbell does improve as he is a first round choice compared to Rodrigo who was a day three pick.

I'm intrigued by Holmes' trading up to draft project players such as Martin and Manu. Usually when you draft a project player a GM doesn't have to throw in extra draft capital. If these picks strike gold then Holmes is seeing things that others do not and deserves more accolades.

Very interested in those 2 picks as it seems they would have been available much later. When I went to a couple practices last year Martin looked like a slow fat kid. Hopefully a year of training has whipped him into shape.

Every study I’ve seen supports sticking n picking. Trading up, overwhelmingly so, has a low hit rate / ROI when you factor in draft capital given up.

The counter argument is Holmes is the smartest guy in the room. “Yeah but our is not like that, he’s better.” He’s had enough success to have earned the right to be wrong. IMO

 

[BobbyLayne]

Former Detroit Lions WR Quintez Cephus has reportedly signed with the Houston Texans.

 

[jon_mx]

Just how good is Brad Holmes vs. the average NFL GM?



NFL overall Draft Pick Success Rate regardless of rounds (study 1996-2016 picks):

(A+) 1% - In discussion for HOF, multi-year all-pro

(A) 7% - Very good starter, earns second contract, maybe a pro-bowl, long career

(B) 12% - Solid Starter, middle of the pack or below, plays numerous years in the league.

(C) 10% - Mostly non-starter, but contributes as rotational piece or occasional starter

(D) 52% - Poor or useless. Used on a very limited basis.

(F) 17% - Never played for the team or was cut early



My slightly premature ratings of Brad’s performance in his first three drafts. I put players in categories in which I am very confident they have reached that level or will attain that this year based on their current place on the depth chart. About half of them are very capable of moving up a category, so the final grades should move up for several while at most only 1 or 2 should fall.

Brad’s Record (*players could move up):

(A+) Penei, Saint, Hutch (14%)

(A) Iffy, McNeil, Branch*, Gibbs*, LaPorta* (23%)

(B) Houston*, Campbell*, Joseph*, Jamo* (18%)

(C) Barnes*, Rodrigues, Martin*, Sorsdal*, Green*, Pascal, Mitchell (32%)

(D) Levi*, Jefferson (9%)

(F) Lucas (5%)

Way too early even for preliminary grade on current rookies or Hooker.

An average GM would have had 0 picks in the A+ category, Brad has 3 and counting. An average GM would have had 2 picks in the A category, Brad has 5 and counting. An average GM would have had 2 picks in the B category, Brad has 4 and counting. Bottom line, over Brad's first three years he has given us 8 more quality starters than what the average GM would have given us. Brad is easily in the top tier of the best GMs in the league, especially when evaluating his success in the draft.

Overall in the NFL, nearly 70% of draft picks end up in the D or F category, so Brad should have whiffed on 15 picks. Brad has only whiffed on only 2 or maybe 3, and 2 were in round 7. Most of the D and F category numbers are driven by rounds 4 thru 7, but there are still a lot of failures in rounds 1 thru 3. Brad's success rate is obscene compared to the typical GMs. Historically the Lions have been at the bottom of the barrel at the draft pick success rate. Looking at our higher draft picks, especially evaluating second rounders, historically the success rate is pathetic. Brad has completely flipped the script on Lions drafting woes.

Your projecting good to very good future performance for several of these players. I dont consider Jamo to be a solid starter yet. Houston to date is a rotational piece. Campbell had serious deficiencies in pass coverage which if not improved will put him in the rotational, occasional starter category. Some of the others whether due to injury or being rookies last year have had only one year of solid production. I'm referring to Iffy and Branch here.
Martin was in the poor/useless category last year. Needs to show improvement.
You are betting on the potential of the players and they may all turn out as projected but odds are not all will.

Yeah he is taking the most rosy view possible of every player. Very unlikely every single Lion hits their best outcome. Some are to regress, get hurt, etc. I love Hutch but he’s not ready to be in the future HOF convo. Not at all.

Yeah, but he will be stacking up all-pro seasons and will be near the top of DPOY voting this season. Not HOF material but clearly is ready for an elite season. Every projection every made in the history of sports would be derailed by injury.

Sorry if I believe in their payers and their processes and I have yet to be disappointed. We went from a team which only got their punter to the pro-bowl, to now having 5 players selected and 7 alternates last season. Clearly Holmes is doing an incredible job and I was trying to give some perspective to quantify what he has accomplished. There seems to be an allergy to optimism.

Holmes has done a great job but not every pick is going to turn out. Some of these guys need to prove themselves. Rodrigo had problems in pass coverage his rookie year and still does. Hopefully, Campbell does improve as he is a first round choice compared to Rodrigo who was a day three pick.

I'm intrigued by Holmes' trading up to draft project players such as Martin and Manu. Usually when you draft a project player a GM doesn't have to throw in extra draft capital. If these picks strike gold then Holmes is seeing things that others do not and deserves more accolades.

Very interested in those 2 picks as it seems they would have been available much later. When I went to a couple practices last year Martin looked like a slow fat kid. Hopefully a year of training has whipped him into shape.

Every study I’ve seen supports sticking n picking. Trading up, overwhelmingly so, has a low hit rate / ROI when you factor in draft capital given up.

The counter argument is Holmes is the smartest guy in the room. “Yeah but our is not like that, he’s better.” He’s had enough success to have earned the right to be wrong. IMO

Once you get into the 3rd, the draft starts to become a total crapshoot. Anything past the 3rd is a lottery ticket. Brad seems to have the cheat codes. There is a lot of chatter that Martin looks like a beast this year. He obviously won't be starting this season, but it looks like he is ready to contribute. I really don't put much weight into the conventional wisdom on how long players will be available. Brad seems like a magician at targeting a few guys and somehow ending up with them and then some. If he trades away later round picks for very little, it is probably because he has very little interest in too many others.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

It's extremely hard to really know how long a player will be out there to draft. I certainly wouldn't go by any pre draft lists, especially in the later rounds where things tend to go all over the place. Over the years I've lost out on a lot of what would have been good FF picks because I thought they would go a couple rounds later.

 

[Da Guru]

Just how good is Brad Holmes vs. the average NFL GM?



NFL overall Draft Pick Success Rate regardless of rounds (study 1996-2016 picks):

(A+) 1% - In discussion for HOF, multi-year all-pro

(A) 7% - Very good starter, earns second contract, maybe a pro-bowl, long career

(B) 12% - Solid Starter, middle of the pack or below, plays numerous years in the league.

(C) 10% - Mostly non-starter, but contributes as rotational piece or occasional starter

(D) 52% - Poor or useless. Used on a very limited basis.

(F) 17% - Never played for the team or was cut early



My slightly premature ratings of Brad’s performance in his first three drafts. I put players in categories in which I am very confident they have reached that level or will attain that this year based on their current place on the depth chart. About half of them are very capable of moving up a category, so the final grades should move up for several while at most only 1 or 2 should fall.

Brad’s Record (*players could move up):

(A+) Penei, Saint, Hutch (14%)

(A) Iffy, McNeil, Branch*, Gibbs*, LaPorta* (23%)

(B) Houston*, Campbell*, Joseph*, Jamo* (18%)

(C) Barnes*, Rodrigues, Martin*, Sorsdal*, Green*, Pascal, Mitchell (32%)

(D) Levi*, Jefferson (9%)

(F) Lucas (5%)

Way too early even for preliminary grade on current rookies or Hooker.

An average GM would have had 0 picks in the A+ category, Brad has 3 and counting. An average GM would have had 2 picks in the A category, Brad has 5 and counting. An average GM would have had 2 picks in the B category, Brad has 4 and counting. Bottom line, over Brad's first three years he has given us 8 more quality starters than what the average GM would have given us. Brad is easily in the top tier of the best GMs in the league, especially when evaluating his success in the draft.

Overall in the NFL, nearly 70% of draft picks end up in the D or F category, so Brad should have whiffed on 15 picks. Brad has only whiffed on only 2 or maybe 3, and 2 were in round 7. Most of the D and F category numbers are driven by rounds 4 thru 7, but there are still a lot of failures in rounds 1 thru 3. Brad's success rate is obscene compared to the typical GMs. Historically the Lions have been at the bottom of the barrel at the draft pick success rate. Looking at our higher draft picks, especially evaluating second rounders, historically the success rate is pathetic. Brad has completely flipped the script on Lions drafting woes.

Your projecting good to very good future performance for several of these players. I dont consider Jamo to be a solid starter yet. Houston to date is a rotational piece. Campbell had serious deficiencies in pass coverage which if not improved will put him in the rotational, occasional starter category. Some of the others whether due to injury or being rookies last year have had only one year of solid production. I'm referring to Iffy and Branch here.
Martin was in the poor/useless category last year. Needs to show improvement.
You are betting on the potential of the players and they may all turn out as projected but odds are not all will.

Yeah he is taking the most rosy view possible of every player. Very unlikely every single Lion hits their best outcome. Some are to regress, get hurt, etc. I love Hutch but he’s not ready to be in the future HOF convo. Not at all.

Yeah, but he will be stacking up all-pro seasons and will be near the top of DPOY voting this season. Not HOF material but clearly is ready for an elite season. Every projection every made in the history of sports would be derailed by injury.

Sorry if I believe in their payers and their processes and I have yet to be disappointed. We went from a team which only got their punter to the pro-bowl, to now having 5 players selected and 7 alternates last season. Clearly Holmes is doing an incredible job and I was trying to give some perspective to quantify what he has accomplished. There seems to be an allergy to optimism.

Holmes has done a great job but not every pick is going to turn out. Some of these guys need to prove themselves. Rodrigo had problems in pass coverage his rookie year and still does. Hopefully, Campbell does improve as he is a first round choice compared to Rodrigo who was a day three pick.

I'm intrigued by Holmes' trading up to draft project players such as Martin and Manu. Usually when you draft a project player a GM doesn't have to throw in extra draft capital. If these picks strike gold then Holmes is seeing things that others do not and deserves more accolades.

Very interested in those 2 picks as it seems they would have been available much later. When I went to a couple practices last year Martin looked like a slow fat kid. Hopefully a year of training has whipped him into shape.

Every study I’ve seen supports sticking n picking. Trading up, overwhelmingly so, has a low hit rate / ROI when you factor in draft capital given up.

The counter argument is Holmes is the smartest guy in the room. “Yeah but our is not like that, he’s better.” He’s had enough success to have earned the right to be wrong. IMO

I agree, and agree that Holmes has earned the right to be wrong.

I know you read all the draft data as do I. Just seem like both those players would have still be there in the 5th and 6th. Recent draft history shows that NFL teams really don`t draft too many "project" type of players given they have a shorter window to develop. Not like MLB and the NHL where your draft a project and develop them in the minors. Thens when they are ready they still have their 6 best years before UFA.

With Holmes being able to spot players I don`t like trading future picks on if comes. Also good that this is what we are talking about instead of wondering if Lions will win 5 games this season.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Just how good is Brad Holmes vs. the average NFL GM?



NFL overall Draft Pick Success Rate regardless of rounds (study 1996-2016 picks):

(A+) 1% - In discussion for HOF, multi-year all-pro

(A) 7% - Very good starter, earns second contract, maybe a pro-bowl, long career

(B) 12% - Solid Starter, middle of the pack or below, plays numerous years in the league.

(C) 10% - Mostly non-starter, but contributes as rotational piece or occasional starter

(D) 52% - Poor or useless. Used on a very limited basis.

(F) 17% - Never played for the team or was cut early



My slightly premature ratings of Brad’s performance in his first three drafts. I put players in categories in which I am very confident they have reached that level or will attain that this year based on their current place on the depth chart. About half of them are very capable of moving up a category, so the final grades should move up for several while at most only 1 or 2 should fall.

Brad’s Record (*players could move up):

(A+) Penei, Saint, Hutch (14%)

(A) Iffy, McNeil, Branch*, Gibbs*, LaPorta* (23%)

(B) Houston*, Campbell*, Joseph*, Jamo* (18%)

(C) Barnes*, Rodrigues, Martin*, Sorsdal*, Green*, Pascal, Mitchell (32%)

(D) Levi*, Jefferson (9%)

(F) Lucas (5%)

Way too early even for preliminary grade on current rookies or Hooker.

An average GM would have had 0 picks in the A+ category, Brad has 3 and counting. An average GM would have had 2 picks in the A category, Brad has 5 and counting. An average GM would have had 2 picks in the B category, Brad has 4 and counting. Bottom line, over Brad's first three years he has given us 8 more quality starters than what the average GM would have given us. Brad is easily in the top tier of the best GMs in the league, especially when evaluating his success in the draft.

Overall in the NFL, nearly 70% of draft picks end up in the D or F category, so Brad should have whiffed on 15 picks. Brad has only whiffed on only 2 or maybe 3, and 2 were in round 7. Most of the D and F category numbers are driven by rounds 4 thru 7, but there are still a lot of failures in rounds 1 thru 3. Brad's success rate is obscene compared to the typical GMs. Historically the Lions have been at the bottom of the barrel at the draft pick success rate. Looking at our higher draft picks, especially evaluating second rounders, historically the success rate is pathetic. Brad has completely flipped the script on Lions drafting woes.

Your projecting good to very good future performance for several of these players. I dont consider Jamo to be a solid starter yet. Houston to date is a rotational piece. Campbell had serious deficiencies in pass coverage which if not improved will put him in the rotational, occasional starter category. Some of the others whether due to injury or being rookies last year have had only one year of solid production. I'm referring to Iffy and Branch here.
Martin was in the poor/useless category last year. Needs to show improvement.
You are betting on the potential of the players and they may all turn out as projected but odds are not all will.

Yeah he is taking the most rosy view possible of every player. Very unlikely every single Lion hits their best outcome. Some are to regress, get hurt, etc. I love Hutch but he’s not ready to be in the future HOF convo. Not at all.

Yeah, but he will be stacking up all-pro seasons and will be near the top of DPOY voting this season. Not HOF material but clearly is ready for an elite season. Every projection every made in the history of sports would be derailed by injury.

Sorry if I believe in their payers and their processes and I have yet to be disappointed. We went from a team which only got their punter to the pro-bowl, to now having 5 players selected and 7 alternates last season. Clearly Holmes is doing an incredible job and I was trying to give some perspective to quantify what he has accomplished. There seems to be an allergy to optimism.

Holmes has done a great job but not every pick is going to turn out. Some of these guys need to prove themselves. Rodrigo had problems in pass coverage his rookie year and still does. Hopefully, Campbell does improve as he is a first round choice compared to Rodrigo who was a day three pick.

I'm intrigued by Holmes' trading up to draft project players such as Martin and Manu. Usually when you draft a project player a GM doesn't have to throw in extra draft capital. If these picks strike gold then Holmes is seeing things that others do not and deserves more accolades.

Very interested in those 2 picks as it seems they would have been available much later. When I went to a couple practices last year Martin looked like a slow fat kid. Hopefully a year of training has whipped him into shape.

Every study I’ve seen supports sticking n picking. Trading up, overwhelmingly so, has a low hit rate / ROI when you factor in draft capital given up.

The counter argument is Holmes is the smartest guy in the room. “Yeah but our is not like that, he’s better.” He’s had enough success to have earned the right to be wrong. IMO

I agree, and agree that Holmes has earned the right to be wrong.

I know you read all the draft data as do I. Just seem like both those players would have still be there in the 5th and 6th. Recent draft history shows that NFL teams really don`t draft too many "project" type of players given they have a shorter window to develop. Not like MLB and the NHL where your draft a project and develop them in the minors. Thens when they are ready they still have their 6 best years before UFA.

With Holmes being able to spot players I don`t like trading future picks on if comes. Also good that this is what we are talking about instead of wondering if Lions will win 5 games this season.

Closest comp in terms of out of sync unconventional draft style going on a heater was the John Schneider/Pete Carroll partnership.

Starting in 2010 they had three incredible drafts, acquiring virtually of the critical pieces of the Legion of Boom + Russell Wilson in the 3rd. Mostly swing and a miss the next two years but didn't matter because all the pieces were in place by then; back-to-back Super Bowls 2013-14. In the decade since, mostly good, but not great drafts (by their own lofty standards). Solid starters with the occasional pro bowler, but nothing like the transcendent draft years of 2010-12.

I could be wrong but IMO Martin was a big overpay who will likely never be more than a rotational DL - that's his ceiling, and I'm not convinced he hits it. Signing Betts and drafting Manu & Viaki were three super long shots. Would feel much better if they had not traded away picks for both bc their odds of hitting are miniscule and we won't see the outcome for years. OTOH I thought Wingo was a good value and Mahogany has future starter written all over him IMO.

That said, the 2024 draft could go down as one of their most important ever because of the first two picks. I am high on both Terrion Arnold + Ennis Rakestraw, though only the 'bama boy is likely to be a starter this year. Loved the aggression to go up and get Terrion. He is pro ready and will have a massive impact on what was formerly their weakest position group. Now it's easily one of their best units.

At some point the heater ends and Holmes will start looking more human, but so far the dude is crushing his job. The fact that he and Dan Campbell are in lockstep on decision making is a big part of their culture, we have never seen a more perfectly matched GM & HC. Year 4 and it still feels like we're living in a dream. Have never seen this level of competence - it feels great being the fans of a respected team still on the rise.

Also, there is a lot more to being a good GM than hitting on draft classes. Have to be impressed with the way Brad Holmes goes about his business in all aspects of the job.

 

[Moonlight]

Just how good is Brad Holmes vs. the average NFL GM?



NFL overall Draft Pick Success Rate regardless of rounds (study 1996-2016 picks):

(A+) 1% - In discussion for HOF, multi-year all-pro

(A) 7% - Very good starter, earns second contract, maybe a pro-bowl, long career

(B) 12% - Solid Starter, middle of the pack or below, plays numerous years in the league.

(C) 10% - Mostly non-starter, but contributes as rotational piece or occasional starter

(D) 52% - Poor or useless. Used on a very limited basis.

(F) 17% - Never played for the team or was cut early



My slightly premature ratings of Brad’s performance in his first three drafts. I put players in categories in which I am very confident they have reached that level or will attain that this year based on their current place on the depth chart. About half of them are very capable of moving up a category, so the final grades should move up for several while at most only 1 or 2 should fall.

Brad’s Record (*players could move up):

(A+) Penei, Saint, Hutch (14%)

(A) Iffy, McNeil, Branch*, Gibbs*, LaPorta* (23%)

(B) Houston*, Campbell*, Joseph*, Jamo* (18%)

(C) Barnes*, Rodrigues, Martin*, Sorsdal*, Green*, Pascal, Mitchell (32%)

(D) Levi*, Jefferson (9%)

(F) Lucas (5%)

Way too early even for preliminary grade on current rookies or Hooker.

An average GM would have had 0 picks in the A+ category, Brad has 3 and counting. An average GM would have had 2 picks in the A category, Brad has 5 and counting. An average GM would have had 2 picks in the B category, Brad has 4 and counting. Bottom line, over Brad's first three years he has given us 8 more quality starters than what the average GM would have given us. Brad is easily in the top tier of the best GMs in the league, especially when evaluating his success in the draft.

Overall in the NFL, nearly 70% of draft picks end up in the D or F category, so Brad should have whiffed on 15 picks. Brad has only whiffed on only 2 or maybe 3, and 2 were in round 7. Most of the D and F category numbers are driven by rounds 4 thru 7, but there are still a lot of failures in rounds 1 thru 3. Brad's success rate is obscene compared to the typical GMs. Historically the Lions have been at the bottom of the barrel at the draft pick success rate. Looking at our higher draft picks, especially evaluating second rounders, historically the success rate is pathetic. Brad has completely flipped the script on Lions drafting woes.

Your projecting good to very good future performance for several of these players. I dont consider Jamo to be a solid starter yet. Houston to date is a rotational piece. Campbell had serious deficiencies in pass coverage which if not improved will put him in the rotational, occasional starter category. Some of the others whether due to injury or being rookies last year have had only one year of solid production. I'm referring to Iffy and Branch here.
Martin was in the poor/useless category last year. Needs to show improvement.
You are betting on the potential of the players and they may all turn out as projected but odds are not all will.

Yeah he is taking the most rosy view possible of every player. Very unlikely every single Lion hits their best outcome. Some are to regress, get hurt, etc. I love Hutch but he’s not ready to be in the future HOF convo. Not at all.

Yeah, but he will be stacking up all-pro seasons and will be near the top of DPOY voting this season. Not HOF material but clearly is ready for an elite season. Every projection every made in the history of sports would be derailed by injury.

Sorry if I believe in their payers and their processes and I have yet to be disappointed. We went from a team which only got their punter to the pro-bowl, to now having 5 players selected and 7 alternates last season. Clearly Holmes is doing an incredible job and I was trying to give some perspective to quantify what he has accomplished. There seems to be an allergy to optimism.

Holmes has done a great job but not every pick is going to turn out. Some of these guys need to prove themselves. Rodrigo had problems in pass coverage his rookie year and still does. Hopefully, Campbell does improve as he is a first round choice compared to Rodrigo who was a day three pick.

I'm intrigued by Holmes' trading up to draft project players such as Martin and Manu. Usually when you draft a project player a GM doesn't have to throw in extra draft capital. If these picks strike gold then Holmes is seeing things that others do not and deserves more accolades.

Very interested in those 2 picks as it seems they would have been available much later. When I went to a couple practices last year Martin looked like a slow fat kid. Hopefully a year of training has whipped him into shape.

Every study I’ve seen supports sticking n picking. Trading up, overwhelmingly so, has a low hit rate / ROI when you factor in draft capital given up.

The counter argument is Holmes is the smartest guy in the room. “Yeah but our is not like that, he’s better.” He’s had enough success to have earned the right to be wrong. IMO

I agree, and agree that Holmes has earned the right to be wrong.

I know you read all the draft data as do I. Just seem like both those players would have still be there in the 5th and 6th. Recent draft history shows that NFL teams really don`t draft too many "project" type of players given they have a shorter window to develop. Not like MLB and the NHL where your draft a project and develop them in the minors. Thens when they are ready they still have their 6 best years before UFA.

With Holmes being able to spot players I don`t like trading future picks on if comes. Also good that this is what we are talking about instead of wondering if Lions will win 5 games this season.

As you identified if you make the big investment in a project player the payoff might not be there if they hit. In 4 years they are free agents and you need to have the money to sign them.

I think that Detroit though has developed such attractive culture that Holmes can find ways to make retention appealing.
The Lions like to bet on themselves and it will be interesting to see how Martin, Manu and Vaki turn out.

 

[BobbyLayne]

[Jeremy Fowler] Teams with the most Top 10 players according to NFL Execs, coaches and scouts: #49ers: 9 #Lions 7 #Chiefs 7 #Ravens 7 #Eagles 6 #Texans 6 #Browns 6 #Packers 5

---

NFL Network will begin their Top 100 NFL Players countdown next week.

I am thinking 8 guys deserve it (but realistically we'll only see 6)

• Gibbs
• Goff
• Hutchinson
• Laporta
• McNeil
• Ragnow
• St. Brown

Anzalone, Glasgow and Zeitler should get consideration based on 2023 grades but not seeing them winning this which is even more of a popularity contest than the Pro Bowl.

McNeil will get slighted....not sure who the other one will be, possibly Gibbs?

 

[Ilov80s]

[Jeremy Fowler] Teams with the most Top 10 players according to NFL Execs, coaches and scouts: #49ers: 9 #Lions 7 #Chiefs 7 #Ravens 7 #Eagles 6 #Texans 6 #Browns 6 #Packers 5

---

NFL Network will begin their Top 100 NFL Players countdown next week.

I am thinking 8 guys deserve it (but realistically we'll only see 6)

• Gibbs
• Goff
• Hutchinson
• Laporta
• McNeil
• Ragnow
• St. Brown

Anzalone, Glasgow and Zeitler should get consideration based on 2023 grades but not seeing them winning this which is even more of a popularity contest than the Pro Bowl.

McNeil will get slighted....not sure who the other one will be, possibly Gibbs?

I don't think Gibbs, Goff or McNeil make it. Even Ragnow is borderline IMO.

Sewell will be the highest. ARSB next. Hutch not too far behind, LaPorta makes it in.

 

[nysfl2]

[Jeremy Fowler] Teams with the most Top 10 players according to NFL Execs, coaches and scouts: #49ers: 9 #Lions 7 #Chiefs 7 #Ravens 7 #Eagles 6 #Texans 6 #Browns 6 #Packers 5

---

NFL Network will begin their Top 100 NFL Players countdown next week.

I am thinking 8 guys deserve it (but realistically we'll only see 6)

• Gibbs
• Goff
• Hutchinson
• Laporta
• McNeil
• Ragnow
• St. Brown

Anzalone, Glasgow and Zeitler should get consideration based on 2023 grades but not seeing them winning this which is even more of a popularity contest than the Pro Bowl.

McNeil will get slighted....not sure who the other one will be, possibly Gibbs?

I don't think Gibbs, Goff or McNeil make it. Even Ragnow is borderline IMO.

Sewell will be the highest. ARSB next. Hutch not too far behind, LaPorta makes it in.

Pretty sure that Goff was on it last year, so he certainly will be on again.

Ragnow will make it for sure. Gibbs may be borderline. McNeil would surprise me - Reader might have a better chance.

 

[Ilov80s]

[Jeremy Fowler] Teams with the most Top 10 players according to NFL Execs, coaches and scouts: #49ers: 9 #Lions 7 #Chiefs 7 #Ravens 7 #Eagles 6 #Texans 6 #Browns 6 #Packers 5

---

NFL Network will begin their Top 100 NFL Players countdown next week.

I am thinking 8 guys deserve it (but realistically we'll only see 6)

• Gibbs
• Goff
• Hutchinson
• Laporta
• McNeil
• Ragnow
• St. Brown

Anzalone, Glasgow and Zeitler should get consideration based on 2023 grades but not seeing them winning this which is even more of a popularity contest than the Pro Bowl.

McNeil will get slighted....not sure who the other one will be, possibly Gibbs?

I don't think Gibbs, Goff or McNeil make it. Even Ragnow is borderline IMO.

Sewell will be the highest. ARSB next. Hutch not too far behind, LaPorta makes it in.

Pretty sure that Goff was on it last year, so he certainly will be on again.

Ragnow will make it for sure. Gibbs may be borderline. McNeil would surprise me - Reader might have a better chance.

Oh I guess if Goff was there last year. I assume QB is the most abundant position on the list. Ragnow should be but I assume Cs get shafted. I guess I don’t pay too close of attention to that list to know so maybe I shouldn’t have even commented.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Frank Ragnow on Green Light podcast

His family cabin in Minnesota is north of International Falls. No electricity or phone, only accessible by float plane.

2nd favorite place is The Stannard Rock Lighthouse on Lake Superior, known as "The Loneliest Place in the World" because of its remote location. The lighthouse is 24 miles from the nearest land on a reef that's only partially covered by the lake's water. You can only get out there 10 days a year. Frank fished it earlier this summer.

00:00 - Intro
4:00 - Dan Campbell's Training Camp
5:55 - Center Position
10:35 - Alim McNeill & DJ Reader
12:45 - Toughest Defensive Tackles
14:40 - Frank & Beau's College Strength Coach
18:11 - SEC Culture Shock
22:30 - Minnesota

 

[jon_mx]

So much of the talent on the team is young and in an upward projector. Players like Branch, Alim, Gibbs, and even Hutch have only scratched the surface of their potential. So eventhough these lists give you an idea of how good the talent level on these teams are, it underestimates the younger teams. The Lions have never been blessed with so much proven stars, rising stars, and even have a lot of more developmental talent who could skyrocket.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Probably a Honda…

Tight end Brock Wright revealed a mantra the Lions are adopting for 2024.

“We’ve kinda been talking, the motto next year is ‘it takes more,’” Wright said. “So, I think everybody will have to step up their game.”

It takes more.

It’s a simple, yet strong statement—the two hallmarks of a classic Dan Campbellism.

Wright went on the explain the statement.

“I think it’s everything. It’s a holistic approach,” Wright said. “Starts at the top with Brad (Holmes) and Dan all the way down. Coming here, starting OTAs, it takes more to prepare, and then getting into training camp and the season. Just got to go above and beyond in every aspect, knowing that we got so close last year, but there’s even more that we’ve got to do if we want to win it all this year.”

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Justin Rogers' last column for the News:

Lions mailbag: Answering questions heading into training camp and saying farewell

Justin Rogers answers reader questions one final time in his last byline for The Detroit News.

www.detroitnews.com

 

[BobbyLayne]

Justin Rogers' last column for the News:

Lions mailbag: Answering questions heading into training camp and saying farewell

Justin Rogers answers reader questions one final time in his last byline for The Detroit News.

www.detroitnews.com

Yesterday was his last day - been a Lions beat since 2011 with Pride of Detroit. Will be missed, one of my favorites.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Frank Ragnow on Green Light podcast

His family cabin in Minnesota is north of International Falls. No electricity or phone, only accessible by float plane.

2nd favorite place is The Stannard Rock Lighthouse on Lake Superior, known as "The Loneliest Place in the World" because of its remote location. The lighthouse is 24 miles from the nearest land on a reef that's only partially covered by the lake's water. You can only get out there 10 days a year. Frank fished it earlier this summer.

00:00 - Intro
4:00 - Dan Campbell's Training Camp
5:55 - Center Position
10:35 - Alim McNeill & DJ Reader
12:45 - Toughest Defensive Tackles
14:40 - Frank & Beau's College Strength Coach
18:11 - SEC Culture Shock
22:30 - Minnesota

favorite quote:

Frank Ragnow: Dan Campbell's Training Camp Offers 'Good Balance'; On Hank Fraley: 'He's the man ... probably been the biggest blessing of my career by far.'

“Yeah, he’s like a good balance. He’s from the Bill Parcells tree, so I guess that means people work, they go," Ragnow said. "He definitely has that, and he knows and communicates that to us. ‘Like, here’s the deal, I’m gonna do what’s best for the team.’ We go. We have some days, we call them red line days where they’re pretty juicy.

"But also, he’ll listen to us and he’ll talk to us and kind of feel it out and he’ll understand where the team is and evaluate. It’s pretty cool how he really evaluates camp and makes a plan that he thinks is the best fit for us. Having days where it’s gonna be old school, banging, real physical days and then we’ll have days where we let off and be more mental. It’s a good balance.”

 

[BobbyLayne]

Lions announce roster moves:

Placed DB Brian Branch, OLB Marcus Davenport, and DL DJ Reader on Active/PUP

Placed OL Giovanni Manu on Active/NFI

 

[BobbyLayne]

PFF Top 50 Players

1. QB PATRICK MAHOMES, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS​

2. EDGE MYLES GARRETT, CLEVELAND BROWNS​

3. T TRENT WILLIAMS, SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS​

4. WR JUSTIN JEFFERSON, MINNESOTA VIKINGS​

5. EDGE MICAH PARSONS, DALLAS COWBOYS​

6. DI CHRIS JONES, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS​

7. EDGE NICK BOSA, SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS​

8. WR TYREEK HILL, MIAMI DOLPHINS​

9. LB FRED WARNER, SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS​

10. RB CHRISTIAN MCCAFFREY SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS​

11. DI DEXTER LAWRENCE, NEW YORK GIANTS​

12. QB JOSH ALLEN, BUFFALO BILLS​

13. QB LAMAR JACKSON, BALTIMORE RAVENS​

14. EDGE T.J. WATT, PITTSBURGH STEELERS​

15. TE TRAVIS KELCE, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS​

16. CB SAUCE GARDNER, NEW YORK JETS​

17. QB JOE BURROW, CINCINNATI BENGALS​

18. EDGE MAXX CROSBY, LAS VEGAS RAIDERS​

19. TE GEORGE KITTLE, SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS​

20. WR CEEDEE LAMB, DALLAS COWBOYS​

21. T LANE JOHNSON, PHILADELPHIA EAGLES​

22. T TRISTAN WIRFS, TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS​

23. S ANTOINE WINFIELD JR., TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS​

24. WR JA’MARR CHASE, CINCINNATI BENGALS​

25. WR A.J. BROWN, PHILADELPHIA EAGLES​

26. S KYLE HAMILTON, BALTIMORE RAVENS​

27. DI QUINNEN WILLIAMS, NEW YORK JETS​

28. T PENEI SEWELL, DETROIT LIONS​

29. T ANDREW THOMAS, NEW YORK GIANTS​

30. C CREED HUMPHREY, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS​

31. RB DERRICK HENRY, BALTIMORE RAVENS​

32. WR AMON-RA ST. BROWN, DETROIT LIONS​

33. LB ROQUAN SMITH, BALTIMORE RAVENS​

34. EDGE AIDAN HUTCHINSON, DETROIT LIONS​

35. CB PATRICK SURTAIN II, DENVER BRONCOS​

36. CB TRENT MCDUFFIE, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS​

37. S JESSIE BATES III, ATLANTA FALCONS​

38. G CHRIS LINDSTROM, ATLANTA FALCONS​

39. G JOE THUNEY, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS​

40. CB JALEN RAMSEY, MIAMI DOLPHINS​

41. DI JALEN CARTER, PHILADELPHIA EAGLES​

42. CB JAYLON JOHNSON, CHICAGO BEARS​

43. DI DERRICK BROWN, CAROLINA PANTHERS​

44. T LAREMY TUNSIL, HOUSTON TEXANS​

45. LB DEMARIO DAVIS, NEW ORLEANS SAINTS​

46. TE MARK ANDREWS, BALTIMORE RAVENS​

47. C FRANK RAGNOW, DETROIT LIONS​

48. S JEVON HOLLAND, MIAMI DOLPHINS​

49. WR BRANDON AIYUK, SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS​

50. WR DEEBO SAMUEL, SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS​

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Good to see zero players in the top 25, gotta keep that chip on their shoulders.

 

[Scoresman]

Non-Lions person here.

Looks like this team was in a lot of shootouts last year. The consensus seems to be that this year, their defense is vastly improved, which logically should lead to less shootouts. Is it reasonable to expect a lot less passing this year and a significant uptick in rushing?

 

[Bri]

Still waiting for one of you Lions fans to tag me and say how ya see Terrell Williams is a gem and must be great to play for. It'll happen...

 

[nysfl2]

Non-Lions person here.

Looks like this team was in a lot of shootouts last year. The consensus seems to be that this year, their defense is vastly improved, which logically should lead to less shootouts. Is it reasonable to expect a lot less passing this year and a significant uptick in rushing?

It's tough to say. Dan Campbell and Ben Johnson are aggressive coaches, who aren't going to take the air out of the ball just because they have a lead. I don't expect significant changes as long as Goff is healthy.

But they do love running the ball, so they might do a little more of it if the game script allows.

 

[jon_mx]

Non-Lions person here.

Looks like this team was in a lot of shootouts last year. The consensus seems to be that this year, their defense is vastly improved, which logically should lead to less shootouts. Is it reasonable to expect a lot less passing this year and a significant uptick in rushing?

It's tough to say. Dan Campbell and Ben Johnson are aggressive coaches, who aren't going to take the air out of the ball just because they have a lead. I don't expect significant changes as long as Goff is healthy.

But they do love running the ball, so they might do a little more of it if the game script allows.

The Lions are already bottom 3rd of the league in pass percentage. In 2023 they passed 56 percent of the time. In 2022 they passed 56 percent of the time. On the road they passed 56 percent of the time. At home they passed 56 percent of the time. A lot of the Lions pass game is ball control utilizing TE and Slot. I would expect the mixture to stay about the same.

What the Lions need to figure out is how to move the ball in the 3rd quarter where they did nothing all year (and where they lost the NFC championship).

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Still waiting for one of you Lions fans to tag me and say how ya see Terrell Williams is a gem and must be great to play for. It'll happen...

Not sure what you are asking about but here are the last 12 years of his Wiki coaching page:

Oakland Raiders

In 2012, Williams accepted his first full time position at the professional level when he joined head coach Dennis Allen as defensive line coach with the Oakland Raiders. In 2014, Williams' unit helped the defense rank eighth in the NFL in fewest rushing yards allowed per play and finished second in the NFL in tackles recorded at or behind the line of scrimmage.

Miami Dolphins

In 2015, Williams joined the Miami Dolphins as defensive line coach under head coach Joe Philbin. He was to serve in the same role with the Florida Gators but left on the National Signing Day.[3] Williams continued his role with the Dolphins in 2016 and 2017 under head coach Adam Gase. In 2016, Williams helped the Dolphins to their most successful season in eight years, winning 10 games and earning their first playoff berth since 2008. Defensive linemen Cameron Wake and Ndamukong Suh flourished under Williams's three-year stint with the Dolphins. Wake tallied 29 sacks, which was the eighth-highest total by a player in that period, while Ndamukong Suh totaled the eighth-highest number of sacks (15.5) among defensive tackles. Wake's nine forced fumbles tied for fifth in the NFL over the same span.

Tennessee Titans

In 2018, Williams joined head coach Mike Vrabel with the Tennessee Titans. In his first year, the Titans defense ranked eighth overall (333.4 yards per game), third in points allowed (18.9 per game), 10th on third down (36.6 percent) and second in the red zone (44.7 touchdown percentage). In 2019, Williams helped the Titans to the AFC championship game.

Detroit Lions

On February 21, 2024, Williams was hired by the Detroit Lions as their defensive running game coordinator and Defensive line coach under head coach Dan Campbell.

 

[jon_mx]

As much as the Lions upgraded players on the defensive side, it is important to remember they also upgraded their coaching staff not only with Williams on the defensive line but the secondary coaching staff was overhauled.

So many reasons to be excited for this team.

 

[Bri]

Still waiting for one of you Lions fans to tag me and say how ya see Terrell Williams is a gem and must be great to play for. It'll happen...

Not sure what you are asking about but here are the last 12 years of his Wiki coaching page:

Oakland Raiders

In 2012, Williams accepted his first full time position at the professional level when he joined head coach Dennis Allen as defensive line coach with the Oakland Raiders. In 2014, Williams' unit helped the defense rank eighth in the NFL in fewest rushing yards allowed per play and finished second in the NFL in tackles recorded at or behind the line of scrimmage.

Miami Dolphins

In 2015, Williams joined the Miami Dolphins as defensive line coach under head coach Joe Philbin. He was to serve in the same role with the Florida Gators but left on the National Signing Day.[3] Williams continued his role with the Dolphins in 2016 and 2017 under head coach Adam Gase. In 2016, Williams helped the Dolphins to their most successful season in eight years, winning 10 games and earning their first playoff berth since 2008. Defensive linemen Cameron Wake and Ndamukong Suh flourished under Williams's three-year stint with the Dolphins. Wake tallied 29 sacks, which was the eighth-highest total by a player in that period, while Ndamukong Suh totaled the eighth-highest number of sacks (15.5) among defensive tackles. Wake's nine forced fumbles tied for fifth in the NFL over the same span.

Tennessee Titans

In 2018, Williams joined head coach Mike Vrabel with the Tennessee Titans. In his first year, the Titans defense ranked eighth overall (333.4 yards per game), third in points allowed (18.9 per game), 10th on third down (36.6 percent) and second in the red zone (44.7 touchdown percentage). In 2019, Williams helped the Titans to the AFC championship game.

Detroit Lions

On February 21, 2024, Williams was hired by the Detroit Lions as their defensive running game coordinator and Defensive line coach under head coach Dan Campbell.

He's a really personable guy that'll eventually catch your attention. I've got a weird man crush on a great coach and when he left the Titans, other fans were upset to lose him. Campbell was elated to get him. It's an odd experience I'm lowkey excited for Lions fans to go through.
See the Run game coordinator is offense and DL coach is defense? Campbell is about saying you go do your thing with whatever unit ya want. He's got skills and coaching ability and all but he's a glue guy. He's going to tell you how hard the WR practiced that dropped a pass. He's gonna ride some poor effort guy then praised him for putting work in.
I know I sound ridiculous so here's Campbell and Holmes talking about him in February

DL coach Terrell Williams: ‘Easy decision’ to join Dan Campbell, Lions

Despite having a comfortable spot with the Tennessee Titans, DL coach Terrell Williams couldn’t pass on the chance to re-join Dan Campbell with the Detroit Lions.

www.prideofdetroit.com

“He was a great coach in terms of holding us accountable, and so you built that trust,” Holmes said. “When we didn’t do the right thing, he held us accountable. And we didn’t like it all the time, but he’s an excellent teacher. I’m not surprised at the success he’s had.”
Who likes being held accountable? People that play for great coaches.

IIRC, at the Combine, Campbell said he was as excited to add Williams to the staff as he was any player at the Combine.

A month or so ago, Campbell called him the best DL coach in the league and followed that up with one of the best people in the league too.

Sooo the guy makes ya gush and it's great and weird. I'm waiting for Lions fans to fall under his spell. He's a gem

ETA See the title here

The Detroit Lions biggest pickup may just be an Assistant Coach

The Terrell Williams era as the Lions D Line coach is off to a great start. We discuss one of the biggest pickups for this team this offseason. John Scott re...

www.youtube.com

 

[BobbyLayne]

Justin Rogers update

hung out at r/DetroitLions today engaging fans

Spoiler: the entrepreneur

I'm longtime Detroit Lions beat writer Justin Rogers. I've opted to leave corporate media in pursuit of independence and launching my own publication. AMA

After nearly two decades at MLive and the Detroit News, I spent the past year examining my goals and future in the industry. After diligent planning and consultation, I believe I'm embracing the future with today's decision to go out on my own and launch detroitfootball.net I'm eager to talk about the decision, the process, and most importantly, the team I cover that's made this career path possible.

Making the leap: Welcome to Detroit Football Network, your new source for Lions coverage and analysis

When ambitions outpace your profession, you have a decision to make: You can sacrifice those ambitions by persisting in the current situation, or you can step outside your comfort zone to strive for something greater. After nearly two decades in corporate media, I'm choosing the latter.

www.detroitfootball.net

EDIT: Know I'm trying to get to all of you, even if I'm a little slow. I'm getting my *** kicked today.

EDIT 2, 2p.m.: I'm going to shift some attention to some other things after this three-hour hang, but I'll try to check back later and answer some late question.

Let me say this before I go. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. My pie chart coming into today was 80% excitement and 20% sheer terror of the unknown. I had hopes, but no expectations. The initial response has been overwhelming. Genuinely humbling, in a month where I've felt that emotion a few times. Thank you for believing in me. I'll make sure to not let you down.

his new site

bold strategy, we’ll see how it works out for him

 

[Moonlight]

As much as the Lions upgraded players on the defensive side, it is important to remember they also upgraded their coaching staff not only with Williams on the defensive line but the secondary coaching staff was overhauled.

So many reasons to be excited for this team.

Good thoughts here. Secondary was the weakest link and upgrading both the players and staff should lead to a much improved defense.

 

[Da Guru]

I was driving and see an estate sale sign in Northville Hills Golf Club. Very nice area and my wife says pull in and lets check it out. Walk in and we part ways looking around.

They had a huge walkout bar area and I hear this guy talking about these bourbon glasses and I know the voice. Sure enough it is Dapper Dan Miller. I am positive the guy he was talking to had no idea who he was. I wait until they were done and as he walked by me I just say "Hey Dan and he says hi, have listened to you for years and enjoy your work" Said Thank you so much.

We ended up talking for 4-5 minutes about past Lions failures and how the loss to SF was so painful Dan said I was positive we were going to the Superbowl at half. Dan was so dam nice I had to ask "Do you think Lions should have kicked the FGs? He laughed and said "you know that is above my paygrade" no way was he going to answer that. Turns out he lives 3 houses down on the golf course.

This is the third time I have run into him over the years. True gem for Detroit.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Any of the Michigan folks going to watch a TC practice this summer?

Nice looking changes - built awnings to cover the bleachers, and a fancy two-story VIP tent.

Still free to attend.

Sheila is the best, man.