Gibbs was a huge waste IMO. But I like the Lions' other guys, and they can easily justify their draft positions.
- I am the biggest Jack Campbell homer on the internet. As a prospect, I think he's very comparable to Tremaine Edmunds and LVE, sort of mega-sized, super athletic Mike backers. Edmunds went #16, and LVE went #18, so I am stunned that people call Campbell a reach at #18. Shoot, he is better than the two LBs that went in the 20s last year. Tremaine's earning $20M a year now, Roquon Smith is making $20M, I can see Campbell becoming that level of a player.
- LaPorta is such a good receiver, and a super easy projection. The positional value puts a ceiling on his potential - he's not Kelce - but he's a safe bet to become a $10M/yr Evan Engram, Hunter Henry type of player.
- I don't like Branch a ton, because speed is such a big deal for DBs. But at #45, come on. He's worth a shot at that point.
- Hooker's a worthy dart throw. I am not his biggest fan, but he has starting QB tools in the 3rd round. In a league where Daniel Jones earns $40M, Hooker will return eye-bleeding value if he hits. The risk vs reward lines up there, and the Lions had enough draft picks to gamble. I like the process.
GIbbs was the one pick that I thought was egregious. He's worth like $12M/yr max if he balls out and becomes an All-Pro. A LT like Broderick Jones can match that if he's just an OK starter. Same with a CB like Gonzalez. And if Gibbs is just a decent, Miles Sanders type RB, that's only worth $6M/yr. That was incredible mismanagement by the Lions.
