Detroit Lions Final 2023 Rookie Report Card (2024)

Handing out final report card for Lions' 2023 draft class.

Just like with his first two drafts, Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes produced a very solid draft class in 2023.

He made eight total selections, and you can easily say that he nailed three of them (Jahmyr Gibbs in the first round and Sam LaPorta and Brian Branch in the second round). He also made a solid selection when he took Jack Campbell with Detroit’s second-of-two first-round picks.

Without further ado, let's take a look at how Holmes did with the entirety of his ‘23 draft haul.

Round 1, Pick 12 — RB Jahmyr Gibbs

Remember, all those draft pundits that criticized Holmes when he traded back from No. 6 overall to get Gibbs with the 12th overall pick. Boy, do they look foolish now.

The Alabama product was everything the Lions could have envisioned, accumulating north of 1,000 yards from scrimmage and forming an electric one-two punch in the Lions’ backfield with David Montgomery.

The future looks extremely bright for the dual-purpose back.

Grade: A

Round 1, Pick 18 — LB Jack Campbell

Campbell wasn't great, but also wasn't horrible in his debut NFL season.

He did play in all 17 regular season games (made 12 starts), and amassed nearly 100 total tackles (95), a couple of sacks and five tackles for loss. He also graded out as a much better run-defender (75.9) than pass-rusher (53.0) and pass-defender (43.9), per Pro Football Focus.

The former Hawkeyes defender is by no stretch a finished product, but at least showed the aptitude to grow during his rookie campaign.

Grade: B-

Round 2, Pick 34 overall — TE Sam LaPorta

LaPorta was the best pick of the entire Lions 2023 draft class.

He not only was an ultra reliable target for Jared Goff, but he also emerged as one of the game's finest tight ends.

He paced all players at the position with 10 reception touchdowns, and also hauled in the fourth-most catches (86) and the fifth-most yards (889) among all tight ends. And, for his efforts, he earned Pro Bowl honors and second-team All-Pro honors.

There's no doubt in my mind that the Iowa product could grow into the league's very best tight end.

Grade: A+

Round 2, Pick 45 overall — DB Brian Branch

Holmes made back-to-back solid second-round selections with LaPorta and Branch.

Just like LaPorta, Branch outperformed his draft position. He shined in his role as a slot corner, amassing three interceptions (including one returned for touchdown), 13 passes defensed and 74 total tackles, including seven for loss.

He also excelled against the run, earning the seventh-best PFF run-defense grade among all cornerbacks (83.9). Additionally, he received a PFF overall mark of 78.9, the 14th-best grade at his position.

At this present juncture, Branch looks to be a core member of the Lions’ secondary in 2024 and beyond.

Grade: A-

Related: Panthers, Bucs Listed as Potential Landing Spots for Jonah Jackson

Round 3, Pick 68 overall — QB Hendon Hooker

As expected, Hooker, after working his way back from a torn ACL that he suffered in his final season at Tennessee, failed to log a single snap in 2023.

By the end of the season, he did end up becoming a member of the Lions’ 53-man active roster. But, with Goff and Teddy Bridgewater ahead of him on the depth chart, he spent his rookie campaign picking the brains of the two veteran passers. He was also Detroit's emergency quarterback on gameday in the final weeks of the season.

Because Hooker spent the entirety of the season on the sideline, I didn't feel it was right to give the ex-Volunteers signal-caller anything more than an “incomplete” grade.

Grade: Incomplete

Round 3, Pick 96 overall — DT Brodric Martin

Martin was active for just three games in his first season, which was a bit of a disturbing development. It made it hard to evaluate the Western Kentucky product.

Overall wise, though, nothing from his game film tremendously stood out, although he did prove to be a better run-defender than anything else and his PFF run-defense grade backed it up (59.8).

Holmes drafted Martin with the thought that he was a developmental piece. But, with enough seasoning, the belief from the organization is that the small-school product could eventually become a run-stuffing presence along the interior of the defensive line.

Going into his second NFL season, there is still a chance that he grows into that type of player for the Lions.

Grade: C-

Round 5, Pick 152 overall — OL Colby Sorsdal

Sorsdal wasn't extremely impressive when he had to suit up in 2023, but still give him credit for filling in at multiple positions along the offensive line this past season.

Pressed into service due to injuries across the line, the William & Mary product logged snaps at left guard (94), right guard (123) and right tackle (36) during his rookie campaign.

He was far from efficient, allowing 14 total pressures and recording a 35.1 PFF pass-blocking grade, including a PFF overall mark of just 41.8.

Sorsdal will likely need to step up his game during training camp this summer to ensure that he has a spot on Detroit's active roster headed into the 2024 season.

Grade: D

Round 7, Pick 219 overall — WR Antoine Green

Just like the Lions’ other mid-to-late-round picks from last year's draft, it was hard to fully evaluate Green.

The former North Carolina receiver suited up for nine regular season games, but had just two balls thrown his way and came down with one catch (for two yards).

It'll be interesting to see if Green gets more playing time and subsequently more of a chance to prove his worth in his second NFL season.

Grade: D

Detroit Lions Final 2023 Rookie Report Card (2024)

FAQs

What did the Lions trade for Terrion Arnold? ›

The Lions acquired the No. 24 overall pick in a trade with the Dallas Cowboys to select Alabama corner Terrion Arnold. Detroit sent the 29th overall pick and the 73rd pick (third-round) to Dallas for the 24th selection and a 2025 seventh-rounder.

What pick do the Lions have in the 2024 NFL Draft? ›

Aside from community events happening in the area, many people are here to see who the teams will select in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Detroit Lions, who finished their 2023 season with a 12-5 record, will make their first pick at the No. 29 overall spot on Thursday.

What did Detroit trade to move up? ›

The Lions gave up No. 29 and their third-round pick (No. 73) to move up five spots and gained a 2025 seventh-round pick in the trade. Detroit traded for veteran cornerback Carlton Davis this offseason and signed Amik Robertson in free agency, knowing they had to improve the league's 27th ranked pass defense.

Where in Detroit is the NFL draft? ›

The 2024 NFL draft is in Detroit, spanning from Campus Martius to Hart Plaza in downtown with additional events in Beacon Park, Capitol Park, Grand Circus Park, Harmonie Park, and along Woodward Avenue. It's a big moment for Detroit as it hits the national stage.

What did Cowboys get for trade with Lions? ›

Dallas agreed to send pick 24 and a 2025 seventh-rounder to the Detroit Lions in return for pick 29 in the first round and pick 73 in the third round. #Cowboys getting 29 and 73.

What did Lions give up for the 24th pick? ›

The Lions reportedly gave up the 29th pick and a Round 3 selection, No. 73 overall, in exchange for the 24th pick and a 2025 seventh-round pick.

Who are the Lions most likely to draft? ›

Most drafts focused on the Lions' defense, with other popular prospects such as Iowa cornerback Cooper DeJean, Illinois defensive tackle Jer'Zhan Newton, Missouri defensive lineman and Canton native Darius Robinson and his teammate cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr.

Who is the #1 NFL Draft pick in 2024? ›

With their first No. 1 pick in 77 years, the Chicago Bears selected USC quarterback Caleb Williams, hoping to finally find their franchise QB.

How many picks do the Detroit Lions have in the 2024 NFL draft? ›

The Lions own seven total picks in the seven-round draft.

What did Dallas get for the trade with Detroit? ›

The Lions selected Alabama corner Terrion Arnold with the No. 24 overall pick. Dallas received Detroit's 29th pick and 73rd overall pick (third round), according to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport. The Lions also got a 2025 7th round pick in the trade.

What did the Lions give up? ›

The Lions traded the No. 29 and No. 73 overall picks in exchange for the 24th overall selection and a 2025 seventh-round pick.

What did Dallas trade to Detroit? ›

Dallas Cowboys trade their first-round pick to the Detroit Lions in 2024 NFL Draft. The Dallas Cowboys swapped first-round draft picks with the Detroit Lions on Thursday, trading No. 24 in the opening round for the Lions' No. 29 pick in the first round and their No. 73 pick in the third round.

How much are tickets to the NFL Draft in Detroit? ›

NFL Draft Experience

The NFL Draft presented by Bud Light is April 25 – 27, 2024 and entry is FREE! Fans can now register for free entry by downloading the NFL OnePass app or on the web at NFL.com/DraftAccess. All adults are required to register but can also register up to five children to get into the event.

How many people are in Detroit for the NFL Draft? ›

Detroit sets all-time NFL draft record with 275,000 fans in attendance on first night. The massive crowd that crammed downtown Detroit around Campus Martius for the NFL draft Thursday — an NFL record — drew amazed commentary from seasoned NFL commentators and officials.

Where is the NFL Draft 2024 going to be? ›

The 2024 NFL draft began Thursday night in Detroit, with the Chicago Bears ending the suspense by selecting USC quarterback Caleb Williams at No. 1 overall.

What did the Lions trade for? ›

FOX 2 (WJBK) - The Lions moved up with a trade to select cornerback Terrion Arnold of Alabama with the 24th pick of the 1st round in the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit, The Lions traded the 29th pick and the 73rd pick (in the third round) to the Cowboys to move up.

What did the Lions trade today? ›

The Detroit Lions traded up from the 29th overall pick with the Dallas Cowboys to move up to No. 24 and draft Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold.

Who did the Detroit Lions pick in the first round of the draft? ›

Terrion Arnold 1 on 1 with Dannie Rogers

Watch as Dannie Rogers interviews Detroit Lions first-round draft pick Terrion Arnold.

What did Dallas Cowboys get for trade? ›

The Cowboys had a chance to select Duke center Graham Barton but opted to trade down, giving up the 24th overall pick and a 2025 seventh-round selection in exchange for the Lions' first- and third-round picks this year (Nos. 29 and 73).

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Rev. Leonie Wyman

Last Updated:

Views: 6263

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (79 voted)

Reviews: 86% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Rev. Leonie Wyman

Birthday: 1993-07-01

Address: Suite 763 6272 Lang Bypass, New Xochitlport, VT 72704-3308

Phone: +22014484519944

Job: Banking Officer

Hobby: Sailing, Gaming, Basketball, Calligraphy, Mycology, Astronomy, Juggling

Introduction: My name is Rev. Leonie Wyman, I am a colorful, tasty, splendid, fair, witty, gorgeous, splendid person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.