Why one group of players has Lions GM fired up for 2023
If the Detroit Lions are able to replicate the success they found in the 2022 NFL Draft the franchise will be in a good position for years to come. The Lions have to feel fantastic about the future of the defense after the production from the 2022 rookie class. Aidan Hutchinson lived up to the […]
If the Detroit Lions are able to replicate the success they found in the 2022 NFL Draft the franchise will be in a good position for years to come.
The Lions have to feel fantastic about the future of the defense after the production from the 2022 rookie class. Aidan Hutchinson lived up to the billing of the No. 1 overall pick while Kerby Joseph and Jameson Williams look like future Pro Bowlers.
Detroit also hit the jackpot in the late rounds coming away with TE James Mitchell, LB Malcolm Rodriguez and LB James Houston who look to carve out more impactful roles for themselves in 2023.
General manager Brad Holmes acknowledged the growth of the rookie class after one of the most exciting seasons in recent memory.
“Those guys put the time in, those guys stayed dedicated, those guys are very coachable,” Holmes said. “They put the work in. I probably said it after the draft, we were really excited about all the guys we had, but those guys are rookies so they're gonna need some time to learn.”
Holmes went on to credit the development the rookie class showed during the team’s final 10 games of the season. Without naming anyone specifically it’s easy to assume he was talking about major contributors such as Hutchinson, Joseph, Rodriguez, James Houston and Paschal.
“Those guys just learned to play those guys just learned the game and that's just normal maturation process of rookies, but I appreciate all those guys and I’m even more excited about the jump that they're going to make from year one to year two,” Holmes added.
Entering their second season in the NFL, the expectations inherently rise for the 2022 draft class. Injuries limited a few players’ rookie campaigns, but by beginning the offseason with a clean slate this group is capable of doing some serious damage in 2023.
