Lions Roundtable: Analyzing Day 1 of 2023 NFL Draft

All Lions explores the Day 1 draft decisions made by general manager Brad Holmes.

1.) How shocked are you that the Lions picked a running back at No. 12? 

Christian Booher: Shocked for sure. I saw Gibbs as a fit for the Lions, but figured that would be a Day 2 pick. Picking him 12th overall was puzzling. 

With that said, we're not privy to some of the conversations being had behind closed doors. The Lions could've been aware of other teams interested and wanted to pounce before losing him. 

Vito Chirco: I'm very shocked. I don't think there was a running back definitely worthy of a first-round selection, outside of Texas' Bijan Robinson. 

Gibbs sounds like the real deal, with the ability to impact the offense as both a runner and a pass-catcher. However, in my opinion, he was an overreach, and could've been had at the end of the first round (and possibly even in the early second round).

2.) Are fans overreacting to Day 1?

Booher: I think the reaction to Detroit's picks are more about frustration. Over the course of the offseason, there is so much research done about top prospects. For the Lions to pick two players who weren't on many first-round radars comes as a surprise. 

Ultimately, the verdict will come with on-field performance. It looks as though Detroit picked two players who will contribute right away. They'll enter the league with high expectations. 

Chirco: I don't think so. I know that Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes absolutely loved Jahmyr Gibbs in the pre-draft process, and also developed a fondness for Jack Campbell. However, let's not mince words here: Neither guy was mocked to the Lions at the respective spot they were taken, and it's because nobody deemed Gibbs or Campbell to be worthy of being selected where they were. They both were big-time reaches by Holmes & Co., and especially Gibbs (as I mentioned above). 

Detroit fans will ultimately one day either praise Holmes for outsmarting the rest of the league with the aforementioned two selections or criticize him for overvaluing the two players. At this point, unfortunately, it's easier to say that the latter will be true. 

3.) What do you think Gibbs will bring to the offense?

Booher: His versatility is unique. He's the best two-way running back, with more production as a receiver than Bijan Robinson. I'm excited to see what offensive coordinator Ben Johnson schemes up for his newest player.

Chirco: I believe Gibbs will bring multi-dimensional ability to Ben Johnson's offense. The versatile back has the ability to be a home-run hitter as a runner, as well as a solid asset to Detroit's passing game. 

Additionally, I believe he makes the team's running backs room a definite strength headed into the 2023 season.

4.) What was your reaction to Lions drafting LB Jack Campbell? 

Booher: Though it was surprising, it's not hard to see the fit. Campbell is a hard-hitter, with good athleticism for his position. He looks the part of an every-down linebacker who isn't afraid to make the big hit. 

I like what he brings to the table, but feel as though the Lions could've picked him at the start of the draft's second day. 

Chirco: I think the Lions reached to get him at No. 18. The Iowa linebacker was a popular target of Detroit in several mocks leading up to the draft. However, he also wasn't being picked by anyone in the first round (at least with the Lions' two first-round selections). To me, he could've been had in the second round, and would've brought much more value to the Lions at that point in the draft.

With that said, he still appears to be a fit for Detroit, and could very well anchor the middle of the team's defense for years to come. So, I don't hate the pick. 

5.) What are your expectations for Day 2? 

Booher: I believe the Lions will be more active on defense. They have three second-round picks, and I expect them to use at least two on the defensive side of the ball.

I expect the team to target an EDGE rusher to pair with Aidan Hutchinson and another defensive back to add to the revamped secondary. 

Chirco: I believe the Lions could still use defensive help -- and in a major way. Brad Holmes & Co. need to now make a concerted effort to address the interior of the defensive line and the secondary. And, it also wouldn't hurt the organization to add an EDGE rusher. 

Detroit's defense is far from a finished product, and Holmes can't afford to go through another two rounds without addressing those vital areas. 

6.) Should the Lions have just stayed at No. 6?  

Booher: It's an interesting argument, but I believe they had one player in mind at that pick. When Devon Witherspoon was taken, I feel as though they wanted to step back and reassess the market. 

In the end, they got two players who they seemingly love, along with a third ssecod-round pick. I like the moves they made. It just feels like they reached on both players. 

Chirco: I know it's not fair to jump to conclusions less than 24 hours after the completion of the first round. Yet, at this present juncture, I'm going to say yes. I would've rather had the Lions keep the pick and take either Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter or Texas Tech EDGE Tyree Wilson.

I do like the extra draft capital that the Lions gained by trading down (especially the additional second-rounder for this year). However, I still view it like Detroit wasted an optimal opportunity to acquire a high-impact defender at No. 6 -- whether Carter or Wilson -- that could've taken the team's defense to the next level in 2023 and beyond. I just don't envision Gibbs moving the needle for Detroit quite like Carter and Wilson could have.