Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell, Jahmyr Gibbs from Alabama, Jack Campbell from Iowa, and general manager Brad Holmes pose during the players’ introductory news conference at team headquarters in Allen Park on Friday, April 28, 2023.
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Now that it’s over, who did the Detroit Lions end up with in the 2023 NFL Draft?
The 2023 NFL Draft is over, and Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes has had his wrap-up press conference. The Lions started the proceedings with nine picks, and after multiple trades (especially on Day 2) they ended up with eight new players over the seven rounds, three days and 259 total picks.
So who did the Lions take in the 2023 NFL Draft?
First Round (No. 12 overall): Alabama running Jahmyr Gibbs
First Round (No. 18 overall): Iowa linebacker Jack Campbell
Second Round (No. 34 overall): Iowa tight end Sam LaPorta
Second Round (No. 45 overall): Alabama defensive back Brian Branch
Third Round (No. 96 overall): Western Kentucky defensive Brodric Martin
Fifth Round (No. 152 overall): William & Mary offensive tackle Colby Sorsdal
Seventh Round (No. 219 overall): North Carolina wide receiver Antoine Green
Detroit Lions 2023 NFL Draft review: Who did the Lions draft?
The Lions drew criticism and ire, from everyone this side of Kirk Herbstreit anyway, for taking a running back (Gibbs) and a linebacker (Campbell) in the first round.
Then they redeemed themselves in the eyes of the masses on Day 2, taking LaPorta, trading up three spots for Branch and taking their potential quarterback in Hooker after multiple trades down from No. 55 to land at No. 68. To wrap up Day 2, Holmes trade three Day 3 picks to move back into the third round to take the big man Martin.
The Lions’ two picks on Day 3 yielded an experienced tackle out of FCS William & Mary (Sorsdal) and a deep threat wide receiver (Green).
But the biggest move from Day 3 of the draft for the Lions was trading running back D’Andre Swift to the Philadelphia Eagles for a 2025 fourth-round pick along with a swap of seventh-rounders this year. Now, as was inevitable with first-round draft capital used on him, Gibbs has a clearer path to a prominent role.