Business
Meet the winners and losers
Now that the 2022 NFL Draft is in the books, it’s time to project who the winners and losers were for the Detroit Lions.
Winner: Jared Goff
With the addition of Alabama receiver Jameson Williams, the quarterback now has plenty of weapons at his disposal to move the offense and reach elite play at the Pro Bowl level again.
Loser: Jared Goff
Med Williams, DJ Chark, Amon-Ra St. Brown and a healthy TJ Hockenson this year, Goff has no excuse for not giving good numbers and winning more games.
DAVE BIRKETT:Brad Holmes’ second draft puts Jared Goff to season without apologies
BACKSTAGE:How Holmes got his “V12” goal on wide receiver
INSIDE THE LIONS:A big turn gives Holmes a great character
Winner: Brad Holmes
The day-to-day manager avoids starting the rebuilding – and really feels the heat –
one more year by not drafting a quarterback.
Loser: Brad Holmes
If Goff has a mediocre season and the Lions are struggling to win again this year – two likely scenarios – Holmes has no choice but to sign a quarterback next year, even though he does not have the draft capital to take Alabama’s Bryce Young.
Winners: Lions fans
They finally saw Holmes use a high draft on a receiver and want to see if the Lions’ attack can reach its potential now that Goff has weapons.
Tabere: Lions fans
Every time any of the quarterbacks that Lions passed on do something remarkable, Lions fans will be haunted by Eric Ebron levels of regret.
Winners: Drafted quarterbacks
You know their chances of becoming Pro Bowlers increased dramatically after the Lions passed them on.
Winner: TJ Hockenson
Thanks to the arrival of Virginia Tech blocking tight end James Mitchell, Hockenson could be released to catch many more passes.
JEFF SEIDEL:The ripple effect from the Stafford trade continues, yes, rippling
SHAWN WINDSOR:Lions say they believe in Jared Goff. The NFL draft proves it’s more than just talk
Winner: Brad Holmes’ mother
Apparently, Mrs. Holmes likes to reach out to her son about not drawing more players from Historically Black Colleges and Universities. After taking edge rusher James Houston from Jackson State, Lions’ HBCU-trained GM might get some peace. Sheesh, mor!
Winner: Aaron Glenn
The Lions; Defensive coordinator got plenty of help, with six of the team’s eight draft picks coming into defense, including No. 2 overall pick Aidan Hutchinson. That gives 10 out of 15 choices set aside for defense in Holmes’ two drafts. Either play Holmes’ favorites, lose a bet (“Of course, Aaron, you can pick when Matthew Stafford beats Tom Brady in the playoffs.”), Or Glenn has Jedi mind-trick control over Holmes.
MORE FROM CARLOS MONARREZ:A good job of adding the foundation
Loser: Ben Johnson
The Lions offensive coordinator gets a receiver with a torn ACL and a blocking tight end with a torn ACL. Uh… thanks?
Winners: Lions Medical Staff
Here’s their chance to shine!
Winner: Jeff Okudah
The eternally injured cornerback and No. 3 pick in the 2020 draft did not see his replacement draft despite three corner kicks in the first round.
Winner: Levi Onwuzurike
The Lions defensive tackle had a disappointing rookie season after being second round last year, but the Lions did not draft his replacement either.
Contact Carlos Monarrez at cmonarrez@freepress.com and follow him on Twitter @cmonarrez.
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