With 2023 NFL training camps on the horizon, we’re starting to get an idea of how 2023 NFL draft classes will impact each roster this season.
Let's look at the Detroit Lions, breaking down the most likely instant-impact rookies from each class, while also providing some insight into why certain early picks may not see the field.
These insights are an excerpt from Warren Sharp's 500+ page book “2023 Football Preview” which is now available for download.
In the book, you can find a comprehensive breakdown of the rookie class for all 32 NFL teams by draft guru Ryan McCrystal.
Who are the Detroit Lions rookies?
- Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama | Round 1, Pick 12
- Jack Campbell, LB, Iowa | Round 1, Pick 18
- Sam LaPorta, TE, Iowa | Round 2, Pick 34
- Brian Branch, S, Alabama | Round 2, Pick 45
- Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee | Round 3, Pick 68
- Brodric Martin, DT, Western Kentucky | Round 3, Pick 96
- Colby Sorsdal, OT, William & Mary | Round 5, Pick 152
- Antoine Green, WR, North Carolina | Round 7, Pick 219
Detroit Lions Draft Class Grade:
The Lions received a B+ rookie class draft grade from PFF, a B from ESPN, and a B from NFL Network.
Which Lions Rookies Will Make An Impact?
Entering his third year on the job, Lions GM Brad Holmes took some extreme risks with this draft class, starting with Jahmyr Gibbs (first round).
Gibbs is an explosive athlete, but he is undersized. Alabama accounted for Gibbs’ lack of size by spreading defenses out, allowing Gibbs to run into a box with seven or more defenders on just 29% of his carries. Lions ball carriers ran into the stacked box on 70% of their carries in 2022.
Gibbs also struggled to fight through contact, getting stopped for zero or negative yards on 49% of his carries when contacted at or behind the line of scrimmage.
Although Gibbs will undoubtedly have an impact in the passing game, his skill set is best suited for a complementary role, and drafting that type of athlete with the 12th pick was aggressive.
Jack Campbell (first round) was also a surprising selection since few teams are investing heavily in off-ball linebackers, but he fills a clear need in Detroit’s struggling defense.
They allowed 5.4 yards per carry in 4-2-5 alignments, well above the league average of 4.7 yards per attempt allowed. Detroit is attempting to get more physical with the addition of Campbell.
Sam LaPorta (second round) is a slightly better athlete than T.J. Hockenson, but the Lions struggled to find a significant role for Hockenson in the passing game.
It remains to be seen how LaPorta fits into Ben Johnson’s scheme. At least in the short term, LaPorta will be a downgrade from Hockenson as a blocker, which could also limit his ability to get on the field as a rookie.
At Alabama, Brian Branch (second round), played the strong safety role, lining up in the box and in coverage in the slot. Tracy Walker, who missed most of last season due to injury, will likely remain in the strong safety role with free agent addition C.J. Gardner-Johnson playing corner in the slot. So there’s no immediate starting role for Branch, though he could serve as a backup in both roles.
Hendon Hooker (third round) landed in a great spot as there will be no pressure on him to see the field until Jared Goff’s contract expires after the 2024 season. Hooker is coming off a torn ACL, but his biggest hurdle will be learning a traditional NFL offense.
In 2022 at Tennessee, Hooker took a traditional dropback of three or more steps on just 14% of his dropbacks, by far the lowest rate in college football. Hooker will need to learn to read defenses and make decisions from the pocket before he’s ready to potentially compete for the starting job.
Broderic Martin (third round) lined up as a nose tackle on 65% of his snaps at Western Kentucky and likely remains in that role in the NFL. It’s worth noting Detroit may have an unconventional plan for Martin. Alim McNeil has a prototypical nose tackle build – like Martin – but lined up in the zero- or one-tech spot on just 5% of his snaps last season.
Colby Sorsdal (fifth round) came off the board earlier than expected, especially after a poor performance at his Pro Day. He played tackle in college and could provide depth there in a pinch, but he is clearly better suited athletically for the interior line.
Antoine Green (seventh round) spent five years at North Carolina with minimal production, but he was hidden behind plenty of NFL talent, most notably Josh Downs and Dyami Brown.
There’s a lot of pressure on the Lions to take the next step in year three of the Dan Campbell-Brad Holmes era, and they added to that pressure with this unconventional draft class.
Spending first-round picks on running backs and off-ball linebackers is the opposite approach of most teams in this era. It was also a questionable decision to trade down from the sixth overall pick. That was one final opportunity to add a blue-chip prospect to the roster before entering their championship window of opportunity.
