Decisions to use the #12 and #18 picks on a running back (Jahmyr Gibbs) and an off-ball linebacker (Jack Campell) brought some trial to the lions. A different organization chart would have attracted more attention in round 1.
The lions were ready to pounce on it Devon Witherspoon when the Seahawks went a different direction, with SI.com’s Albert Breer pointing out that the Lions viewed the Illinois cornerback as a clean prospect. But the Seahawks deviated from their past at the corner position, picking Witherspoon in 5th place, leaving the Lions in a bind.
This predicament stemmed from the team placing a much higher value on Gibbs than expected. After the Seahawks Witherspoon, GM moved in Brad Holmes spoke with Dan Campbell over moving to Gibbs at 6. While Breer adds that the Lions’ original plan was not to draft Alabama’s dual threat as high, they were prepared until the Cardinals called to secure their trade offer Paris Johnson. That move at No. 12 allowed the Lions to raise draft capital, avoiding a totally unexpected scenario that saw Gibbs walk off the board previously Bijan Robinson.
Teams’ interest in Gibbs came to light during draft week when reports circulated of some clubs placing the former Crimson Tide employee in the same bracket as Robinson. Gibbs has surpassed 440 receiving yards in each of the last two years, and the Lions are willing to use you as a rookie as a multi-purpose back to complement David Montgomery. Holmes has acknowledged the positional critiques that came with picking a 12th overall return and the Lions had the opportunity to draw Jalen Carter or Tyree Wilson at No. 6. Beating Gibbs via those two pass rushers would have been one of the more intriguing moves in recent draft history, but the Lions added No. 34 and No. 168 to drop six places.
Detroit didn’t invite Witherspoon to visit, and neither Campbell nor Holmes hiked to Champaign for his pro day. The Seahawks had never drafted a corner higher than 90 (Shaquill Griffin) under the John Schneider–Peter Caroll Regime, but Witherspoon will join forces with him Tariq Woolen in Seattle. Witherspoon, staying on the board at 5, helped the Seahawks resist a trade-down urge. The Lions made and signed some significant additions to their secondary school this offseason Cameron Sutton, CJ Gardner-Johnson And Emmanuel Mosley. After the Seahawks picked Witherspoon, the Lions added Alabama DB Brian Branch in round 2.
The team initially wanted either Witherspoon or Draft Will Anderson Jr. at No. 6 per Breer and trade from No. 18 to Gibbs. The No. 6 exit obviously reflected the Lions’ hesitancy regarding Carter and the team placing a value gap between Anderson and Wilson. The Lions, moving to 12, also kept them ahead of two teams they heard were Gibbs fans — the Patriots (No. 14) and Jets (No. 15). A scouting trip to last season’s Alabama-Texas game drew Holmes’ attention to Gibbs, and he will replace him D’Andre Swift in Motor City.
Gibbs’ choice prompted the Eagles to act quickly. They traded seventh-round picks with the Lions and sent the NFC North franchise a fourth for Swift, who joins in 2025 Rashaad Penny as Philly offseason backfield additions. Holmes and Eagles GM Howie Roseman discussed the Swift trade for “a few days”.
“It’s my job to focus on the present, but probably more importantly to focus on the future‘ said Holmes of Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. “And that’s what went into many decisions to trade D’Andre Swift to Philly. He was in the last year of his contract and looking back over the last year I felt really good that we could bring him back Jamal Williams. I was confident when the season came to an end. I felt good about our talks with his camp and it didn’t happen. So you just have to be prepared for all these things.”
Williams didn’t speak highly of the Lions’ offer; The leader of last season’s rushing touchdowns now has a three-year, $12 million deal with the Saints. Montgomery signed a three-year, $18 million contract with the Lions. He and Gibbs now make up Detroit’s backfield, with the latter having a first-round contract that could have checked in at a higher draft slot.
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