Patriots' reported interest prompted Lions’ panned draft pick
The Detroit Lions eschewed positional value by taking Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, drawing the ire of analytical analysts. The New England Patriots could have been on the receiving end of that hate instead. The Lions heard the Patriots, who were picking 14th overall, liked Gibbs, […]
The Detroit Lions eschewed positional value by taking Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, drawing the ire of analytical analysts.
The New England Patriots could have been on the receiving end of that hate instead. The Lions heard the Patriots, who were picking 14th overall, liked Gibbs, according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer. So Detroit was willing to trade down with the Arizona Cardinals from No. 6 overall to No. 12 to stay in front of New England and grab the speedy running back.
The Patriots eventually traded down from No. 14 overall to No. 17 and drafted Oregon cornerback Christian Gonzalez, who entered the draft as a projected top-10 pick. The Patriots received high marks for their pick. Gonzalez was considered a premier prospect at a premium position. Gibbs was viewed as a fringe first-rounder and would have had to share the backfield with Rhamondre Stevenson if the Patriots’ interest was real.
The Lions traded in front of the Patriots again in the second round to select Alabama defensive back Brian Branch. New England took Georgia Tech defensive lineman Keion White, who they were considering in the first round, per Breer.
The Lions also selected linebacker Jack Campbell in the first round, tight end Sam LaPorta in the second round and quarterback Hendon Hooker and defensive tackle Brodric Martin in the third.
