What Detroit Lions Said Day 2 of NFL Draft

Detroit made four draft selections on Day 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft.

The Detroit Lions have made two selections in each round throughout the first two days of the 2023 NFL Draft.

After making picks in the first round that were heavily scrutinized, Detroit general manager Brad Holmes systemically followed a pre-draft plan, and added players on Day 2 to fill voids at various positions of need. 

Here is a sample of all the key things said by the newest members of the Lions' roster and general manager Brad Holmes after Day 2 of the draft. 

RB Jahymr Gibbs

On if there was any surprise when the Lions called: “You could tell when you go to certain meetings if that team likes you, if that team doesn’t like you. I had a feeling they like me a lot. I knew there was a possibility I could be picked by them, but I didn’t think that I would get picked at 12.”

On his conversations with the Lions before the draft: “I mean, at Alabama, I pretty much just played at running back, slot, wide out. I think here they will just give me a more detailed route tree, probably with some more routes.”

LB Jack Campbell

On being drafted to the Lions: “It’s fantastic. First and foremost, I just want to thank the Ford family, Mr. (Brad) Holmes and Coach (Dan) Campbell for giving me this opportunity to be a Detroit Lion. It’s been a childhood dream to be in the NFL, and I couldn’t be any happier to have the opportunity to represent Detroit and be a part of something special that I feel like – I’ve been here for a day, and I can already tell it’s truly unique and it’s something I feel the fans are definitely going to be excited about.”

On the euphoria he has felt the last 24 hours: “I would say, just the last 24 hours, I’ve just tried to spend with my family. I’ve tried to be intentional, honestly tried to stay off the phone, try to enjoy the moment. For me, I feel like that’s kind of who I am. I just want to enjoy these moments, because I’ll never get to go back and be drafted again. So, just truly trying to enjoy everything. But, it’s been crazy. As soon as I got that phone call from Mr. Holmes, just an unbelievable feeling. I feel like every prospect’s going to come up here and say, ‘Words can’t describe how it feels,’ and they truly can’t. It’s such a blessing and an honor to be here, and I feel like the good Lord’s put me here for a reason, and I’m just excited to get to work.”

TE Sam LaPorta

On joining a Lions offense that often utilizes the tight end position: “I’m fired up, it’s really a dream come true for me to just live out my dreams and hopes of playing at the highest level in the NFL. I started playing football when I was 10 years old. It’s just a surreal moment for me and my family. Coming into the building here in a few weeks, I’m going to show up, I’m just going to try to add as much value as I can, as quickly as I can. The Lions' offense last year was extremely explosive, as you just mentioned before. I just hope I can contribute to that.”

On joining former Iowa Hawkeyes teammate Jack Campbell with the Lions: “I’m so excited to be teammates with Jack again. I shot him a congratulations text last night, and I kept getting asked in the combine interview process, what teammate would I like to bring with me to my new team, and I just kept saying (Lions LB) Jack Campbell. I think the kid really speaks for himself, phenomenal football player, an even better human. I just can’t wait to be back in the building with him again.”

DB Brian Branch

On his conversations with the Lions before the draft: “I took a top-30 visit with them, I talked to D.C. (Dan Campbell), I talked to Coach Dre Bly, just everybody, and they were just telling me like, they really like me and they like what I do. They like what I bring to the table and how versatile I am. Just pretty much talking about how I can improve myself. Pretty much, the things they would want from me if I came there.”

On the value of having the opportunity to learn from Lions defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson: “He can be a lot, he can add value to me. Like you said, being a rookie coming into this League, I can learn from him." 

QB Hendon Hooker

On how he hopes to learn from Lions QB Jared Goff: “To be a sponge, to come in and learn everything, every nuance, know how to be a pro first and foremost. And then, just admire him. He’s been in the league for a long time, and he’s done a great job of developing every year. He’s been able to get better and better, and that’s all you can ask for. I’m definitely going to be picking his brain whenever I can. I hope I don’t get annoying to him, but I’m just that kind of person. I just want to get in and do my job, and just continue to get better day by day.”

DT Brodric Martin

On his interactions with Lions head coach Dan Campbell and the Lions’ coaching staff: “Talking to him, man, first of all, he’s kind of tall. He’s a real tall head. It was really good to talk to him, he’s a good person, man. When he was talking to me, he was telling me – of course, he did his background check on me, and it told him what I got. What I bring to the table is something that this organization is high on. I’ve been through a lot. I started at North Alabama, went to Western Kentucky and he’s seen how I fight, and he said that’s the Lion pride basically. That’s what they do, they want someone to come in fighting and all that. So, just talking with them, he gave me a sense of confidence, you know? I love talking to him. I talked to (defensive line coach John Scott Jr. and assistant defensive line coach Cameron Davis), the D-line coaches, they were the type of coaches I want to be coached by. Honestly, just talking to them -- he was talking about my family, talking about what I can do for the team. It was a good experience there.”