Jeff Okudah, Detroit Lions (Photo by DetroitFreePress Syndication)
The Detroit Lions will make their first draft day move under Brad Holmes’ and Dan Campbell’s guidance. What will it be?
The new era in Detroit started a few months ago. As a matter of fact, the ink on Brad Holmes’ contract, as well as Dan Campbell’s, wasn’t even dried yet as this new regime introduced themselves to the Motor City with a blockbuster trade that gave hope to the Lions fan base.
Matthew Stafford who understandably did not wish to slog through another rebuild asked to be traded. It was not with malice that Matthew made the request. It was with what he believed was best for him in mind.
After 12 years and setting every just about every meaningful passing record in Detroit Lions history the time had come to say good-bye. The truth is that it was time for these Motor City cats to turn the page. Matthew had gone through enough. Time to wipe the slate clean and start over.
Then Brad Holmes accommodated Matthew and sent him to Los Angeles to be a part of the Rams championship chase. In exchange, Detroit received two future first-round draft picks they will garner over the next two years and a third-round selection the Lions will use this weekend.
Holmes also acquired the man he helped the Rams draft number one overall back in 2016, Jared Goff. Both Holmes and Campbell have been very excited to get Jared. Yet despite their enthusiasm, will they turn around a select a quarterback with the seventh overall pick?
Will the Lions news regime decide to go for a need like receiver or a quality defensive player if one that meets their criteria is available? There are plenty of directions that Holmes and Campbell can go.
What makes it exciting is that, unlike former general manager Bob Quinn, I think what Holmes does is not nearly as predictable as Detroit’s former regime was. Last year I think everyone knew there would be no attempt to trade back and that Quinn would select Jeff Okudah.
There have been many guesses as to what Brad Holmes will do. However, I think much like the Matthew Stafford trade, Holmes has another opportunity to show us some early savvy. If he does, then I think the Motor City fans have a reason to actually feel hopeful.