OT: Brad Holmes is the Lions Jimmy Devellano.
Lions GM Brad Holmes first three drafts have been astonishing. Sewell, McNeil, Hutch, St. Brown, Jamo, Iffy, Kerby, Branch, LaPorta,Campbell…amazing track record of success in player acquisition unlike anything we have seen in Detroit since Jimmy D and the Wings in the 80’s and early 90’s.
Devellano, Wings President and GM, drafted or signed Yzerman, Fedorov, Vlady, Kozlov, Larionov, Lidstorm, Draper, Maltby, McCarty, etc.
Obviously, Lions have to continue to draft and perform well for this comparison to hold up, but initially wt least Holmes is on a historic track.
January 31st, 2024 at 7:11 PM ^
After 2 - 3 years?!!! (To the OP). I may agree, but I want to see how he does with picks that are after the 25th overall pick.
I would go for guys that are "hungrier" than others, and let them prove themselves.
"Hungrier" than others mean 3 - 5 round picks that want to prove that they are better than 1 - 2 round picks.
January 31st, 2024 at 8:07 PM ^
Laporta was taken with the 33rd pick. And I was skeptical with they picked Gibbs, Branch, and Campbell (Iowa LB that Corum embarrassed), all in the first round. Holmes and Coach Dan have earned my trust on judging talent.
January 31st, 2024 at 8:42 PM ^
Don't knock not screwing up a to ten pick
Zach Wilson, Trey Lance, went above Sewell. I'd even say Kyle Pitts' trajectory is decidedly worse.
Yes, caveats that QBs are different and Pitts can recover.
January 31st, 2024 at 10:17 PM ^
Most of the guys mentioned in OP's post were taken 25th pick or later. St. Brown, Branch, McNeil, Melifonwu, LaPorta, Branch, Rodrigo, Kerby, Barnes....He's hitting on almost everyone he picks. Even guys who haven't quite blossomed yet, you can see it in flashes (Jamo-granted 12th pick, Paschal, Houston).
I'm excited to see what Brodric Martin can do, since he was a project pick/tools guy, drafted in a similar vein to Iffy Melifonwu, and it's taken Iffy a few years to find his proper position and footing in the league. Same with Derrick Barnes. Brodric is an absolute unit at 6'5" 330lbs, with extremely long arms. He's still learning the game and developing strength and conditioning, but he could be another guy to add to that list.
January 31st, 2024 at 3:36 PM ^
Would love to know the amount of influence John Dorsey has on those selections because when he was here in Cleveland he was known for picking "football guys" that team analytics weren't too crazy about. And when you look at the players you just listed most of them play positions that analytics say dont have as much impact on wins and losses.
I remember the Lions getting crucified by all the "experts" last draft for taking a RB, a LB and then a TE for their first three picks. Turns out having a bunch of guys who just love playing football isnt such a bad plan after all.
January 31st, 2024 at 3:39 PM ^
Truthfully, both Jimmy and Brad’s successes were/are a collaborative effort. The scouts who go largely unnamed as do the other executives working alongside the GM. Dorsey I am sure had a significant influence.
A wise man surrounds himself with other wise men.
January 31st, 2024 at 4:08 PM ^
"Turns out having a bunch of guys who just love playing football isnt such a bad plan after all."
Sure hope that Mike Sainristil finds his way to the Lions. He is such a Dan Campbell player.
This will never get old...
January 31st, 2024 at 4:14 PM ^
Isn't Mikey a bit redundant with Brian Branch as the slot nickel? Is Brad Holmes going to build an entire defense out of slot defenders?
Adding multiple cornerbacks who can play outside the numbers should be the Lions' first priority this offseason, and as much as the sentimental side of me would love to have Sainristil on the Lions, he'd be a bit of a luxury pick considering they just hit on a slot nickel in the second round last year.
January 31st, 2024 at 6:36 PM ^
Lol I'd take Mikey over any CB we currently have.
January 31st, 2024 at 6:52 PM ^
He can replace Cameron Sutton, a wet paper bag would be an upgrade over him.
January 31st, 2024 at 7:50 PM ^
That dude needs a Bobby Ross bus ticket outta town.
January 31st, 2024 at 8:44 PM ^
Too soon, and unfair to Vildor, but couldn't pass up the opportunity.
At least a ball can't bounce off a wet paper bag into the WRs hands.
February 1st, 2024 at 9:27 AM ^
Brian Branch can play slot or a more traditional safety role. Sainristil can play slot or corner.
January 31st, 2024 at 8:11 PM ^
It will be fascinating to see where Mike goes in the draft, as well as half the other draft eligible guys were sending out there.
February 1st, 2024 at 2:13 PM ^
Would love to see the Lions draft Zak Zinter. They're gonna need an IOL, what with both of this year's OGs hitting free agency.
February 1st, 2024 at 6:55 PM ^
3 of the Guards for the Lions are Free Agents this off season (Jackson, Viti, and Glasglow), the first 2 have yet to play an entire season over the past 2 years.
As much as I would bet the bank on Harbaugh drafting Blake, it would seem as a no brainer for the Lions to swoop in and take Zak in the 3rd round...
January 31st, 2024 at 3:54 PM ^
sweet... so we are going to the playoffs for 30 years in row like the Redwings did!
January 31st, 2024 at 3:56 PM ^
Devellano also got lucky drafting Russians without knowing if he could ever get them here.
Pretty sure he didnt draft Larionov - he was acquired in a trade with San Jose... Also did not draft Draps
January 31st, 2024 at 4:19 PM ^
Which is why said “drafted or signed”.
January 31st, 2024 at 4:43 PM ^
Doh!
First point stands... :)
January 31st, 2024 at 4:53 PM ^
If they got everyone here tho then it wasnt a gamble. He just knew something everyone else didnt.
January 31st, 2024 at 4:01 PM ^
All but one of the players Holmes has drafted the past 3 years is on the roster, and the one that isn't is on the practice squad, a 7th Rd RB from 3 years ago.
That is a MIGHTY hit rate! Some have had injury issues, but the talent is enough to stick around and that was far from true under Millen and others since. Those drafts if just 2 dudes made the opening day roster it seemed like success.
January 31st, 2024 at 4:10 PM ^
Taking a victory lap on spending a top-20 pick on Jack Campbell is a choice. Calijah Kancey went with the very next pick and was tenfold the player that Campbell was as a rookie.
When I watch Penei or Gibbs or even Jameson, they all flash the talent that led to them being first-round picks, but I can't name a single standout play Campbell made since breaking up a Mahomes pass in Week 1.
That's not burying the guy either, but it feels like there's just as much of a chance that he busts as he hits at this point in time.
January 31st, 2024 at 4:18 PM ^
And this isn't Brad Holmes slander either... every good GM is going to miss picks and his results and track record thus far has been outstanding.
I just don't understand the need to give him credit for something that hasn't worked out yet and a pick I feel worse about 9 months removed.
January 31st, 2024 at 4:23 PM ^
Except it has worked out. Campbell has played really well at LB.
He is one of the reasons their run defense has improved so much.
February 1st, 2024 at 9:34 AM ^
One thing about Holmes picks…many are developmental. Like McNeill, Jamo, Iffy, Hooker and Martin. The first three have shown up this season. We will see about Hooker and Martin. Levi O. looks like a miss. Largely due to injury.
January 31st, 2024 at 4:18 PM ^
*double post
January 31st, 2024 at 4:18 PM ^
*triple post
January 31st, 2024 at 4:21 PM ^
Jack Campbell had a good year at linebacker. He was on the All Rookie Team.
January 31st, 2024 at 4:55 PM ^
Hes already hit. My personal opinion is that Alex Anzalone is so bad it actually brings the whole position group down.
January 31st, 2024 at 6:56 PM ^
Purdy burned him in that run and thought that was the actual play that got us, not going for it on 4th down.
January 31st, 2024 at 4:12 PM ^
Ken Holland got credit for what Jimmy D. put together. He won later because he could sign any free agent he wanted. But Devellano was extremely lucky to get Lidstrom, Fedorov, and Konstantinov in the same draft - starting in the third round. Brad Holmes is easily the best GM the Lions have ever had, and I go back to the days of Russ Thomas.
January 31st, 2024 at 4:39 PM ^
So, Holmes = Devallano
Also, Holmes + Watson = Mystery Solved
Therefore Devallano = Mystery Solved without Watson
January 31st, 2024 at 4:58 PM ^
Let's hope he doesn't become Ken Holland
January 31st, 2024 at 5:19 PM ^
Jimmy Devallo will never be forgiven for the trade of Adam Oates, we could have had more cups than we got.
https://www.vintagedetroit.com/the-worst-trade-in-red-wings-history/
January 31st, 2024 at 5:50 PM ^
If you're a Wings fan and have never seen The Russian Five - it's a must see.
Wings basically went full SEC and got these guys in a hotel room and a bag of cash.
January 31st, 2024 at 7:03 PM ^
Brad Holmes is a loooooonnnnngg way from Jimmy Devellano. And the way he responded to criticism on draft weekend reveals some definite chinks in the armor.
January 31st, 2024 at 11:04 PM ^
Till he wins a Super Bowl or Bowls and gets a kicker he no Devellano!
February 1st, 2024 at 9:16 AM ^
Jim Campbell and Bill LaPointe did a pretty good job building the 84 Tigers by drafting Morris,Parish,Tram,Sweet Lou,Gibby, and acquiring Evans,Willie H. and various others thru FA or trades.