The Detroit Lions: How Much Credit Does Anyone Deserve?

[plasticman]

Some fans feel the The Detroit Lion's "rise from the ashes" is nothing more than the results of the NFL's talent acquisition system designed to do exactly that. In an attempt to offer "fairness" through parity, the league rules for the draft includes one where the teams that performed the worse get first picks of the newest talent pool.

Since the merger, the Lions have historically underperformed. However, the franchise took it to new lows since the turn of the century. In the 24 seasons from 2000 to 2024, the Lions have 14 in which they lost 10 or more games. In half of those 14 seasons, they won 3 or fewer games.

As a result, the Lions have been gifted a premium front-of-the-line opportunity at the draft treasures throughout the 21st century.

Because of those previously mentioned 14 losing seasons, the Lions have received a top ten draft pick 14 times. And those 7 previously mentioned dismal 3-game winning seasons netted a #1 overall pick, four #2 overall picks and two #3 overall picks.

There was even a streak between 2002 and 2007 where the Lions had 6 consecutive top 10 picks.

In the four drafts from 2006 to 2009, the Lions had the #1 or #2 overall pick in three of them.

Recently, between 2019 and 2022, they had 4 consecutive top 8 picks.

Keep in mind, although the greatest advantage comes in the first round, they are also close to the front of the line in every single round.

Could you imagine the Cowboys getting a top selection in every round for 4 to 6 consecutive years? Suppose they had the #1 or #2 overall pick three times during McCarthy's previous four seasons.

So, it was only a matter of time before they were able to use this advantage to actually build a dominant team. One has to wonder what took so long, given the multiple advantages.

This is by no means, a defense of the Cowboys records lately. In fact, it is further proof of the Cowboys management incompetence.

You see, although the Lions drafted much higher than the Cowboys over the previous ten drafts, their performances have been even.

If I take the Cowboys top 30 picks over the combined last ten drafts, I get an average draft position of # 56 compared to the Lions at #42. this means that every single top 30 player the Lions pick averaged 14 picks above the Cowboys top 30. That's almost half a round.

And yet, the Top Lions picks received a total of 13 Pro Bowl designations, 59 starting seasons and 1546 games participated compared to the Cowboys 14 Pro Bowls, 60 starts and 1562.....virtually the same.

Still, it's the Lions at 7-1 and the Cowboys with 3-6.

The difference between the two teams is that the Lions have finally learned how to use their advantage of draft position to build a true contender while the Cowboys have yet to learn how to use their advantage of scouting and talent analysis to do the same.

After 2020, a 5-11 season, The Lions GM, Bob Quinn, was replaced by Brad Holmes who had previously been with the Rams for 18 years. It was he who orchestrated the trade with Stafford and Goff.

Lions GM Brad Holmes is the difference between the Lions futility of years past and seeming destiny this season and beyond.

That is the advantage of hiring and replacing GM's until you find the guy that creates success.
Each change creates renewed hope.

Without such change, the results remain the same.

 

[gtb1943]

Some fans feel the The Detroit Lion's "rise from the ashes" is nothing more than the results of the NFL's talent acquisition system designed to do exactly that. In an attempt to offer "fairness" through parity, the league rules for the draft includes one where the teams that performed the worse get first picks of the newest talent pool.

Since the merger, the Lions have historically underperformed. However, the franchise took it to new lows since the turn of the century. In the 24 seasons from 2000 to 2024, the Lions have 14 in which they lost 10 or more games. In half of those 14 seasons, they won 3 or fewer games.

As a result, the Lions have been gifted a premium front-of-the-line opportunity at the draft treasures throughout the 21st century.

Because of those previously mentioned 14 losing seasons, the Lions have received a top ten draft pick 14 times. And those 7 previously mentioned dismal 3-game winning seasons netted a #1 overall pick, four #2 overall picks and two #3 overall picks.

There was even a streak between 2002 and 2007 where the Lions had 6 consecutive top 10 picks.

In the four drafts from 2006 to 2009, the Lions had the #1 or #2 overall pick in three of them.

Recently, between 2019 and 2022, they had 4 consecutive top 8 picks.

Keep in mind, although the greatest advantage comes in the first round, they are also close to the front of the line in every single round.

Could you imagine the Cowboys getting a top selection in every round for 4 to 6 consecutive years? Suppose they had the #1 or #2 overall pick three times during McCarthy's previous four seasons.

So, it was only a matter of time before they were able to use this advantage to actually build a dominant team. One has to wonder what took so long, given the multiple advantages.

This is by no means, a defense of the Cowboys records lately. In fact, it is further proof of the Cowboys management incompetence.

You see, although the Lions drafted much higher than the Cowboys over the previous ten drafts, their performances have been even.

If I take the Cowboys top 30 picks over the combined last ten drafts, I get an average draft position of # 56 compared to the Lions at #42. this means that every single top 30 player the Lions pick averaged 14 picks above the Cowboys top 30. That's almost half a round.

And yet, the Top Lions picks received a total of 13 Pro Bowl designations, 59 starting seasons and 1546 games participated compared to the Cowboys 14 Pro Bowls, 60 starts and 1562.....virtually the same.

Still, it's the Lions at 7-1 and the Cowboys with 3-6.

The difference between the two teams is that the Lions have finally learned how to use their advantage of draft position to build a true contender while the Cowboys have yet to learn how to use their advantage of scouting and talent analysis to do the same.

After 2020, a 5-11 season, The Lions GM, Bob Quinn, was replaced by Brad Holmes who had previously been with the Rams for 18 years. It was he who orchestrated the trade with Stafford and Goff.

Lions GM Brad Holmes is the difference between the Lions futility of years past and seeming destiny this season and beyond.

That is the advantage of hiring and replacing GM's until you find the guy that creates success.
Each change creates renewed hope.

Without such change, the results remain the same.

Did not help that they also had the reign of arguably one of the worst GMs ever in Matt Millen.

 

[SuperBowlz]

Look, I think Detroit is the best team in the NFC and maybe the best team in the NFL but I still can't fathom why they didn't pair Jalen Carter with Hutchinson and target a RB instead. Then they turn around and take a MLB over stars like CB Christian Gonzalez. If they take those two the SB is in their pocket. Jalen Carter, the #1 talent in the draft just sitting there and they pass on him for a RB and let Philly get him???

 

[rambo2]

Some fans feel the The Detroit Lion's "rise from the ashes" is nothing more than the results of the NFL's talent acquisition system designed to do exactly that. In an attempt to offer "fairness" through parity, the league rules for the draft includes one where the teams that performed the worse get first picks of the newest talent pool.

Since the merger, the Lions have historically underperformed. However, the franchise took it to new lows since the turn of the century. In the 24 seasons from 2000 to 2024, the Lions have 14 in which they lost 10 or more games. In half of those 14 seasons, they won 3 or fewer games.

As a result, the Lions have been gifted a premium front-of-the-line opportunity at the draft treasures throughout the 21st century.

Because of those previously mentioned 14 losing seasons, the Lions have received a top ten draft pick 14 times. And those 7 previously mentioned dismal 3-game winning seasons netted a #1 overall pick, four #2 overall picks and two #3 overall picks.

There was even a streak between 2002 and 2007 where the Lions had 6 consecutive top 10 picks.

In the four drafts from 2006 to 2009, the Lions had the #1 or #2 overall pick in three of them.

Recently, between 2019 and 2022, they had 4 consecutive top 8 picks.

Keep in mind, although the greatest advantage comes in the first round, they are also close to the front of the line in every single round.

Could you imagine the Cowboys getting a top selection in every round for 4 to 6 consecutive years? Suppose they had the #1 or #2 overall pick three times during McCarthy's previous four seasons.

So, it was only a matter of time before they were able to use this advantage to actually build a dominant team. One has to wonder what took so long, given the multiple advantages.

This is by no means, a defense of the Cowboys records lately. In fact, it is further proof of the Cowboys management incompetence.

You see, although the Lions drafted much higher than the Cowboys over the previous ten drafts, their performances have been even.

If I take the Cowboys top 30 picks over the combined last ten drafts, I get an average draft position of # 56 compared to the Lions at #42. this means that every single top 30 player the Lions pick averaged 14 picks above the Cowboys top 30. That's almost half a round.

And yet, the Top Lions picks received a total of 13 Pro Bowl designations, 59 starting seasons and 1546 games participated compared to the Cowboys 14 Pro Bowls, 60 starts and 1562.....virtually the same.

Still, it's the Lions at 7-1 and the Cowboys with 3-6.

The difference between the two teams is that the Lions have finally learned how to use their advantage of draft position to build a true contender while the Cowboys have yet to learn how to use their advantage of scouting and talent analysis to do the same.

After 2020, a 5-11 season, The Lions GM, Bob Quinn, was replaced by Brad Holmes who had previously been with the Rams for 18 years. It was he who orchestrated the trade with Stafford and Goff.

Lions GM Brad Holmes is the difference between the Lions futility of years past and seeming destiny this season and beyond.

That is the advantage of hiring and replacing GM's until you find the guy that creates success.
Each change creates renewed hope.

Without such change, the results remain the same.

The Cowboys could very well cash in this year, if they get to the top of the draft and get to trade down.

 

[BaybeeJay]

If I take the Cowboys top 30 picks over the combined last ten drafts, I get an average draft position of # 56 compared to the Lions at #42. this means that every single top 30 player the Lions pick averaged 14 picks above the Cowboys top 30. That's almost half a round.

And yet, the Top Lions picks received a total of 13 Pro Bowl designations, 59 starting seasons and 1546 games participated compared to the Cowboys 14 Pro Bowls, 60 starts and 1562.....virtually the same.

Said differently, while the Cowboys, on average, pick much lower than the Lions, the production from the top 30 players drafted in the last 10 drafts are similar. Therefore, its other factors that are at work when trying to explain the differences between these two teams. These differences come down to how the roster is constructed outside of the draft and the coaches.

 

[gtb1943]

Said differently, while the Cowboys, on average, pick much lower than the Lions, the production from the top 30 players drafted in the last 10 drafts are similar. Therefore, its other factors that are at work when trying to explain the differences between these two teams. These differences come down to how the roster is constructed outside of the draft and the coaches.

despite Matt Millen and other losers, the Detroit Lions drafted overall about the same as the cowboys

That is something to think about.

Got two ways to look at it: lousy GMs draft about the same

and the quality of your GM decides the quality of your franchise.

Detroit has been bad and the Boys Average to slightly above average.

Neither record in any way validates the GMs

 

[plasticman]

The Cowboys could very well cash in this year, if they get to the top of the draft and get to trade down.

Read the bottom three lines again:

That is the advantage of hiring and replacing GM's until you find the guy that creates success. Each change creates renewed hope.

Without such change, the results remain the same.

 

[plasticman]

Said differently, while the Cowboys, on average, pick much lower than the Lions, the production from the top 30 players drafted in the last 10 drafts are similar. Therefore, its other factors that are at work when trying to explain the differences between these two teams. These differences come down to how the roster is constructed outside of the draft and the coaches.

And who selected the players and hired the coaches?

in fact, who has selected the players and hired the coaches over the past 30 years?

 

[SuperBowlz]

The Cowboys could very well cash in this year, if they get to the top of the draft and get to trade down.

I always wondered if a team had a star franchise QB and got the #1 pick with a generational QB coming out. What I mean is... could you trade that #1 down to say 11 for 2 firsts... then trade 11 down to 24 for 2 seconds and then that 24th pick down to 49 for 2 3rds and then that 49 for two 4th.

You could flip the #1 pick for 2 picks in rd 1, 2, 3 and 4 for two years

 

[Flamma]

Some fans feel the The Detroit Lion's "rise from the ashes" is nothing more than the results of the NFL's talent acquisition system designed to do exactly that. In an attempt to offer "fairness" through parity, the league rules for the draft includes one where the teams that performed the worse get first picks of the newest talent pool.

Since the merger, the Lions have historically underperformed. However, the franchise took it to new lows since the turn of the century. In the 24 seasons from 2000 to 2024, the Lions have 14 in which they lost 10 or more games. In half of those 14 seasons, they won 3 or fewer games.

As a result, the Lions have been gifted a premium front-of-the-line opportunity at the draft treasures throughout the 21st century.

Because of those previously mentioned 14 losing seasons, the Lions have received a top ten draft pick 14 times. And those 7 previously mentioned dismal 3-game winning seasons netted a #1 overall pick, four #2 overall picks and two #3 overall picks.

There was even a streak between 2002 and 2007 where the Lions had 6 consecutive top 10 picks.

In the four drafts from 2006 to 2009, the Lions had the #1 or #2 overall pick in three of them.

Recently, between 2019 and 2022, they had 4 consecutive top 8 picks.

Keep in mind, although the greatest advantage comes in the first round, they are also close to the front of the line in every single round.

Could you imagine the Cowboys getting a top selection in every round for 4 to 6 consecutive years? Suppose they had the #1 or #2 overall pick three times during McCarthy's previous four seasons.

So, it was only a matter of time before they were able to use this advantage to actually build a dominant team. One has to wonder what took so long, given the multiple advantages.

This is by no means, a defense of the Cowboys records lately. In fact, it is further proof of the Cowboys management incompetence.

You see, although the Lions drafted much higher than the Cowboys over the previous ten drafts, their performances have been even.

If I take the Cowboys top 30 picks over the combined last ten drafts, I get an average draft position of # 56 compared to the Lions at #42. this means that every single top 30 player the Lions pick averaged 14 picks above the Cowboys top 30. That's almost half a round.

And yet, the Top Lions picks received a total of 13 Pro Bowl designations, 59 starting seasons and 1546 games participated compared to the Cowboys 14 Pro Bowls, 60 starts and 1562.....virtually the same.

Still, it's the Lions at 7-1 and the Cowboys with 3-6.

The difference between the two teams is that the Lions have finally learned how to use their advantage of draft position to build a true contender while the Cowboys have yet to learn how to use their advantage of scouting and talent analysis to do the same.

After 2020, a 5-11 season, The Lions GM, Bob Quinn, was replaced by Brad Holmes who had previously been with the Rams for 18 years. It was he who orchestrated the trade with Stafford and Goff.

Lions GM Brad Holmes is the difference between the Lions futility of years past and seeming destiny this season and beyond.

That is the advantage of hiring and replacing GM's until you find the guy that creates success.
Each change creates renewed hope.

Without such change, the results remain the same.

The end of your post is very true. But the rest makes a good case for why picking higher might not be that much of an advantage when you consider everything else. Or are you making the case that good management can take advantage of higher draft picks?