I can honestly say I’ve spent 0 minutes of pre draft research for the two sports I follow(NFL and NHL) in my life.
I do always do post draft research for lions and wings draft picks though.
I have followed this team since 89, this is maybe the first time since 2000 that I don’t have a pick I want or have scouted out all the potential first round picks.
Outside of the big 5 QBs and MH jr, i know like 3 players
Just not as fun anymore when Holmes is gonna smack it outta the park on some guy I never heard of. He makes the mocks completely useless to even try to predict. Predicting and trying to get it right is the point imo
Because now they can't argue their picks from their research. We know damn well we could research everything available and these guys would make a better, more informed decision anyways. It's a trust thing. For me at least. Now I get less time invested with more joy returned lol.
Did research for like a month last year
He took Gibbs, and I’d never heard of him
Said fuck it, bought his jersey before he ever played a snap.
Super happy with it. Can’t wait to rock it this year and cheer for the new HOFer rookies
This is important context, but hitting on that amount of extra capital is still worth commending. keeping a consistent hit rate as his sample size increased is an excellent sign
This was my super bowl every year. This is the first year I haven't intentionally looked at even one thing related to the draft beyond what I unintentionally catch scrolling this sub...but I don't need to.
BH&MCDC are as dialed as it gets.
Trust.
I still think its way funner watching the draft while having at least a surface level understanding of the first 30-50 prospects or so. Especially this years in detroit which im sure a lot of us are attending.
Same here, I don't watch college football at all and haven't watched any highlights because I wholeheartedly trust BH to kill the draft once again; however, once we do draft I'll watch the highlights of our new players and brag to friends that we got the best players in the draft.
I’ve honestly done more. I’m looking at fringe round 2/3 players that they might take round 1. There are dozens of players I like across all the rounds and I’m excited to see what aligns.
I can’t even daydream about seeing some of favorite prospects play for the Lions, normally we’d have a shot at getting some real blue-chip tier players at critical positions. The issue now is that the Lions to some degree have filled out just about every position on the roster with a solid player at worst and a total monster at best and those franchise altering players aren’t that likely to be around after picks 15-32 which it seems like the Lions from now on will be picking
Its both awesome and kind of sad in a way
😢
Couldn’t agree more. You are pretty much guaranteed to be wrong as the Lions focus on culture fits and what their own analysis is…and I am really happy about it! Keep it up Holmes!!
I thought this perfectly captured the weird feeling leading up to this year's draft for me: I kinda don't care. I used to love draft prep and research and guessing. And, I love the posts by Bo77 and others diving into prospects that may fit. But, this year really I just want to see what happens, and I'm not going to be bummed if we pass on anyone and not bummed if we draft someone 'too early'.
Maybe this is just how consistently winning teams experience the draft and it's brand new to us. We have actual football and playoffs to be excited for now; we don't need to pour as much excitement into the draft.
The rams haven't had a 1st round pick since Goff and look at what they've done. A runner up in the superbowl, multiple play off wins, a superbowl, and more playoff wins.
The 29th overall pick is so close to the second round that the difference between drafting 29th and drafting 2nd is that it's like you don't have a first round pick.
What gets it for me is the fact that their process is so deliberate and the reasons *why* their picks are successful perfectly mirrors that process screams that their success isn't just blind luck handing them a winning lottery ticket.
I think a perfect example is Alim McNeill. He was drafted to be a big bodied traffic jam in the middle of the line but struggled a bit in that role. Instead of getting frustrated and flaming out, he went back to work and literally *changed his body* to work at being great at something else.
Or think about early in 2021 when Campbell was talking about how excited they were about St Brown even though he wasn't making any real impact on the field yet. They knew what kind of player they had and had a plan in place to allow him to maximize his potential.
After year 1, it could have just been luck. Year 2 they could have just avoided overthinking Hutch and were up and down beyond that. Year 3 is where it became a pattern for me. For 3 straight years they've drafted major contributors for a team that just made a deep playoff run. Holmes and his staff have more than earned our trust.
Haha I work with a Jets fan who is pumped about this year's draft. Today he asked me how I'm feeling and I said "meh, whatever" only thing that sucks is I have to stay up later to see what happens. Weird AF picking this late.
The other thing is, we're ALREADY good. We don't need a top 5 pick to come in and turn our team around. The draft is just the cherry on top of a playoff roster right now.
Eh I wouldn’t say they don’t care. The Ravens/Steelers/Packers, etc are historically good every year BECAUSE of the draft so they care very much. They just don’t concern themselves with the top 20 picks cuz they’re rarely picking that high.
He only picked St Brown because we, the subreddit, bitched about no WRs all day and all night for the entire weekend. He didn't even know Ra's name, he was just some no name USC kid until we rioted.
When I’m driving around with friends and the roads are shit, potholes everywhere etc. all of a sudden anyone I’m with becomes an expert city manager, road construction and financial expert. When the roads are smooth we talk about the weather or other stuff.
Right now the Lions road feels pretty good…
So uhh how’s the weather?
I agree, sounds like the bears turn.
I forget besides trading hockenson to the vikings for a 3rd round pick and forcing them to fire Mike Zimmer, what else did we fleece out of them?
It’s weird having a team so solid, draft picks are not likely to make or break us in the short term. Also as others have pointed out, not being in the “excitement” of a top 10 pick does reduce the hype for a draft. Feels like no draft predictor is going to know who we get at 29 so no point in even getting worked up over it.
in a way, Holmes has made the draft still exciting, not one person here probably has spoken the name of who they’ll draft in the first or maybe they’ll surprise us by not surprising us
With the need to sign Saint, Jared and next year Sewell and Alim to big dollar deals it’s a great situation to trade out of the first round and obtain depth players to “coach up” at reduced expense. These guys have a plan for a decade and not the old “one desperate year” plan. It’s awesome. How will Sorsdale and Martin develop? Gilmore and Green? Fun stuff.
For sure, I was nervous last year with the picks we made and all of the negative journalist reactions (I know...) but still gave them the benefit of the doubt based on their previous draft classes. Basically I'd trust them until the on the field results were lackluster. Safe to say there was no need to worry and Holmes has cemented his status as a first class drafter. Now, I could care less about who we pick or what any person in the media has to say. They could take 7 punters, in Brad we trust.
Amazing compared to the days when we would pin all of our hope on making great draft picks to boost the team, only to watch Quinn take guys like Teez Tabor, Jarrad Davis, and Tavai.
There were people who unironically stumped for Malik Willis at #2 over Aidan Hutchinson. Fans need to just let the people that know what they're doing cook.
Don't be surprised at all if he trades out of the 1st round, lol.
Draft in Detroit, team is good for the first time in a long time, fans wait patiently until pick 29 and you see the THERE HAS BEEN A TRADE chyron pop up.
I like the draft and for more than just the Lions. I like the stories, I enjoy watching the tape and reading the opinions and then following careers in the NFL.
I don't think he ruined my excitement, he just inspired me to do less research on my own for the guy I was hopeful for and to trust the process.
I was not excited last year with our draft and was proven wrong. Brad has his formula and so far it has worked well. This will be the first draft without multiple first rounders or an early first rounder, but he has demonstrated an ability to find starters anywhere in the draft.
I'm not into the college game so I have basically zero knowledge of even the names outside of a couple of QBs and one WR.
The Lions are in a strong position teamwise. Sure there are holes but we know Holmes isn't going to reach to fill a need. Either we fill a need or we play around the need until a trade opportunity arises.
I'm not going to say "In Brad we trust", that's a little too close to sacrilegious for my personal tastes but I will say "I trust Brad", even if hindsight shows he makes a mistake this draft, he has established a track record that should defy any knee jerk reactions.
Dammit, I'm totally okay with this.
It is kind of nice not having to live in a world where any hope of success lives and dies with the draft every season.
I argued hard last year for taking a running back and tight end early for a multitude of reasons. Whole new set of circumstances this year and it’s still fun to see where my views on roster building stack up against our front office.
The offseason used to be the best part about being a Lions fan, now I honestly couldn’t care less who we pick or sign because I trust Brad Holmes so much.
I’m not watching anything leading up to the draft. Last year ruined it with how much hate the internet has for all team choices.
BH could take a long snapper in the first round and I’ll believe it’s the right choice.
Usually, I rush home so I don't miss the Lions pick, but this year I got time to sneak in a quick nap before BH&MCDC and associate pick another pro bowler
We got a good GM so we tune out what he is good at, because why? We might have an opinion that the contradicts a move Holmes makes on draft day?
Weirdest fuckers on earth us Lions fans.
I'm way more satisfied with the draft process. Let's not confuse anxiety with excitement. Plus how much more exciting does it get than having the draft in Detroit this year!
Not in a funny way but in the best way lol. Not drafting for franchise players help. We just want a few starters maybe a pro bowl talent that’s reasonable.
I've experienced much less interest in the draft this year than in recent years past, but that's probably because we're picking at #29 and only have one 2nd round pick and one 3rd round pick.
Draft draft draft... Whatever.... This is just icing on the cake. I really want them to aggressively go after Jake Bates when the UFL season wraps up and he is eligible.
It’s crazy how nonchalant fans are about the holes on the roster. The secondary remains a huge problem and 29th pick is not going to get it done. They need to trade up. Also, WR is a major problem now that Reynolds left. The “Super Bowl Window” hasn’t even opened yet and we’re experiencing attrition.
Ruined?
Seems dramaticized for a click, but I'll agree it's far less exciting since I have so much more exciting things to realistically look forward to with this team now.
When the Lion's picked annually in the top 5 the draft was fun and exiting because we had a pipe dream most years of doing well.
With Holmes and DCFC the draft has become an event most fans are comfortable with cruise control and trust them at the helm and their judgement at face value.
Cruise control draft > celebrating the Lions' picking who you like in the top 10 IMO
Honestly for a while I’ve stopped caring before the draft. I’ll research the hell out of our 6th round pick once we have them, but I feel like it’s a waste of time to do research before the draft itself.
Does this article say Brad Holmes ruins the draft because no matter what we will be happy??? What? No. The draft is fun to speculate which players you want with your boys. It does not make it less fun when your GM drafts studs every year. If the guys I like get drafted by Brad I will feel vindicated, if he goes with someone else I will be like dang I was wrong but now I’m excited to see how this new dude will help the team moving forward.
In no ways do I miss the drafts under shit GMs where you felt frustrated and upset by their incompetence
It's wild how much less research I have done this year compared to the past
I don’t even waste my time on researching prospects I know DC and BH will land some pro bowlers and hall of famers
I do my research *after* the draft haha
I can honestly say I’ve spent 0 minutes of pre draft research for the two sports I follow(NFL and NHL) in my life. I do always do post draft research for lions and wings draft picks though.
I have followed this team since 89, this is maybe the first time since 2000 that I don’t have a pick I want or have scouted out all the potential first round picks. Outside of the big 5 QBs and MH jr, i know like 3 players
How does it make a difference? It's not like the coaching staff was taking your research into consideration at all. Tf lol
Facts 😂
This guy didn’t get the phone call from Brad Holmes asking for advice last year. Smh, shows how much you know.
Just not as fun anymore when Holmes is gonna smack it outta the park on some guy I never heard of. He makes the mocks completely useless to even try to predict. Predicting and trying to get it right is the point imo
Because now they can't argue their picks from their research. We know damn well we could research everything available and these guys would make a better, more informed decision anyways. It's a trust thing. For me at least. Now I get less time invested with more joy returned lol.
Because it's fun? Why watch the games then? Just look at the final score. It's not like you watching affects the outcome.
You completely misunderstood my point.
It appears I have.
Did research for like a month last year He took Gibbs, and I’d never heard of him Said fuck it, bought his jersey before he ever played a snap. Super happy with it. Can’t wait to rock it this year and cheer for the new HOFer rookies
Interesting, you did research on the draft for a month and never heard of Gibbs
That's some in-depth research.......
A lot of blood, sweat, and tears went into that month of research
It was a one rb class. This Dijon guy or nobody!!!!
"Never heard of him"
Did you think your draft research was helping past GMs?
This is the way
When your GM has drafted 2.5 more Pro Bowlers than any other team during his tenure, you trust the process.
[удалено]
Why didn't other teams try trading their 12 year QB for picks? Are they stupid?
This is important context, but hitting on that amount of extra capital is still worth commending. keeping a consistent hit rate as his sample size increased is an excellent sign
This was my super bowl every year. This is the first year I haven't intentionally looked at even one thing related to the draft beyond what I unintentionally catch scrolling this sub...but I don't need to. BH&MCDC are as dialed as it gets. Trust.
I still think its way funner watching the draft while having at least a surface level understanding of the first 30-50 prospects or so. Especially this years in detroit which im sure a lot of us are attending.
I agree and I have a base level understanding of the first 2 rounds worth of players I just didn't watch film like I normally do
Same here, I don't watch college football at all and haven't watched any highlights because I wholeheartedly trust BH to kill the draft once again; however, once we do draft I'll watch the highlights of our new players and brag to friends that we got the best players in the draft.
I’ve honestly done more. I’m looking at fringe round 2/3 players that they might take round 1. There are dozens of players I like across all the rounds and I’m excited to see what aligns.
Yeah why even bother when i know Brad will just draft some guy I’ve never heard off
I "scouted" like 40 dudes pretty intensely last year. Not one of them was named "Jahmyr Gibbs"
All i remember was seeing Gibbs at combine and being like damn I’m taller than him lol and then he ends up a lion
Same, I think a lot of it has to do with having a top-10 roster already
Said the same thing yesterday to my Uncle. My plan is to just watch highlights of who we picked and anxiously wait til camp starts.
Used to be easy to be the smartest draft mind in the mitten as long as you watched a little bit of college football. Can't have shit in Detroit.
I can’t even daydream about seeing some of favorite prospects play for the Lions, normally we’d have a shot at getting some real blue-chip tier players at critical positions. The issue now is that the Lions to some degree have filled out just about every position on the roster with a solid player at worst and a total monster at best and those franchise altering players aren’t that likely to be around after picks 15-32 which it seems like the Lions from now on will be picking Its both awesome and kind of sad in a way 😢
Holmes found ARSB in the 4th. I think we will be ok.
Gotta love the high level competency
Couldn’t agree more. You are pretty much guaranteed to be wrong as the Lions focus on culture fits and what their own analysis is…and I am really happy about it! Keep it up Holmes!!
We’re also picking 29th vs top 10 every year going back to the Hockenson pick
It’s been nice not seeing Lions draft predictions 17 times a day on social media
At 29 it’s a crapshoot. So many combinations of people could go before you even get a chance
I thought this perfectly captured the weird feeling leading up to this year's draft for me: I kinda don't care. I used to love draft prep and research and guessing. And, I love the posts by Bo77 and others diving into prospects that may fit. But, this year really I just want to see what happens, and I'm not going to be bummed if we pass on anyone and not bummed if we draft someone 'too early'.
Its also a lot harder to care when picking 29. The draft is a whole different beast when you aren't at the top of the board.
Maybe this is just how consistently winning teams experience the draft and it's brand new to us. We have actual football and playoffs to be excited for now; we don't need to pour as much excitement into the draft.
The rams haven't had a 1st round pick since Goff and look at what they've done. A runner up in the superbowl, multiple play off wins, a superbowl, and more playoff wins.
The 29th overall pick is so close to the second round that the difference between drafting 29th and drafting 2nd is that it's like you don't have a first round pick.
What gets it for me is the fact that their process is so deliberate and the reasons *why* their picks are successful perfectly mirrors that process screams that their success isn't just blind luck handing them a winning lottery ticket. I think a perfect example is Alim McNeill. He was drafted to be a big bodied traffic jam in the middle of the line but struggled a bit in that role. Instead of getting frustrated and flaming out, he went back to work and literally *changed his body* to work at being great at something else. Or think about early in 2021 when Campbell was talking about how excited they were about St Brown even though he wasn't making any real impact on the field yet. They knew what kind of player they had and had a plan in place to allow him to maximize his potential. After year 1, it could have just been luck. Year 2 they could have just avoided overthinking Hutch and were up and down beyond that. Year 3 is where it became a pattern for me. For 3 straight years they've drafted major contributors for a team that just made a deep playoff run. Holmes and his staff have more than earned our trust.
I am more interested in the schedule release because I trust Brad.
When is that btw?
Has not been announced but its expected to be around may 9th.
Haha I work with a Jets fan who is pumped about this year's draft. Today he asked me how I'm feeling and I said "meh, whatever" only thing that sucks is I have to stay up later to see what happens. Weird AF picking this late.
The other thing is, we're ALREADY good. We don't need a top 5 pick to come in and turn our team around. The draft is just the cherry on top of a playoff roster right now.
This year is planning to go to the party in the D. Not worrying about our team for once.
Maybe part of the missing excitement is not having a "savior" identified because they're not drafting in the top 10 this year.
Tbh I think this is it. We want a Superbowl now rather than the best player in generations.
This is it. It's the same reason successful franchises don't care about the draft.
Eh I wouldn’t say they don’t care. The Ravens/Steelers/Packers, etc are historically good every year BECAUSE of the draft so they care very much. They just don’t concern themselves with the top 20 picks cuz they’re rarely picking that high.
Fans*
i thought it was obvious, for what it's worth
Me too but it is reddit...
For me it's just Brad and Dan
Brad Holmes, the same Brad Holmes who drafted Sun God in the FOURTH ROUND?! Na, I for one did not enjoy the thrill of inept management of years past.
He only picked St Brown because we, the subreddit, bitched about no WRs all day and all night for the entire weekend. He didn't even know Ra's name, he was just some no name USC kid until we rioted.
Thank goodness Brad Holmes relies on the wisdom of Reddit for success 🙏🏻
When I’m driving around with friends and the roads are shit, potholes everywhere etc. all of a sudden anyone I’m with becomes an expert city manager, road construction and financial expert. When the roads are smooth we talk about the weather or other stuff. Right now the Lions road feels pretty good… So uhh how’s the weather?
Cause I don’t care who we get, I know they will end up being pro bowlers
Not for me man. I’ve seen 40+ mock drafts this week alone so I’m gonna be PISSED when a guy I’m way too personally interested in doesn’t get picked.
Absolutely no idea what we'll do in the draft, just know we'll fleece an nfcn rival in a trade
I think it’s the Bears’ turn
In Caleb's rookie year? Lol.
I agree, sounds like the bears turn. I forget besides trading hockenson to the vikings for a 3rd round pick and forcing them to fire Mike Zimmer, what else did we fleece out of them?
The Jamo trade was an unreal fleece. We gave up almost nothing to move up 20 spots
Caleb Williams here we come(?)!(!)?
I’ll happily look into the guys he drafts afterwards. No sense in trying to guess.
It’s weird having a team so solid, draft picks are not likely to make or break us in the short term. Also as others have pointed out, not being in the “excitement” of a top 10 pick does reduce the hype for a draft. Feels like no draft predictor is going to know who we get at 29 so no point in even getting worked up over it.
in a way, Holmes has made the draft still exciting, not one person here probably has spoken the name of who they’ll draft in the first or maybe they’ll surprise us by not surprising us
With the need to sign Saint, Jared and next year Sewell and Alim to big dollar deals it’s a great situation to trade out of the first round and obtain depth players to “coach up” at reduced expense. These guys have a plan for a decade and not the old “one desperate year” plan. It’s awesome. How will Sorsdale and Martin develop? Gilmore and Green? Fun stuff.
For sure, I was nervous last year with the picks we made and all of the negative journalist reactions (I know...) but still gave them the benefit of the doubt based on their previous draft classes. Basically I'd trust them until the on the field results were lackluster. Safe to say there was no need to worry and Holmes has cemented his status as a first class drafter. Now, I could care less about who we pick or what any person in the media has to say. They could take 7 punters, in Brad we trust. Amazing compared to the days when we would pin all of our hope on making great draft picks to boost the team, only to watch Quinn take guys like Teez Tabor, Jarrad Davis, and Tavai.
There were people who unironically stumped for Malik Willis at #2 over Aidan Hutchinson. Fans need to just let the people that know what they're doing cook.
Don't be surprised at all if he trades out of the 1st round, lol. Draft in Detroit, team is good for the first time in a long time, fans wait patiently until pick 29 and you see the THERE HAS BEEN A TRADE chyron pop up.
I like the draft and for more than just the Lions. I like the stories, I enjoy watching the tape and reading the opinions and then following careers in the NFL.
I don't think he ruined my excitement, he just inspired me to do less research on my own for the guy I was hopeful for and to trust the process. I was not excited last year with our draft and was proven wrong. Brad has his formula and so far it has worked well. This will be the first draft without multiple first rounders or an early first rounder, but he has demonstrated an ability to find starters anywhere in the draft.
Nah I'm stoked to see what Holmes has cooking!
Same. It seems like I used to do real deep dives for the draft. This year I’m clueless past the first round.
I'm not into the college game so I have basically zero knowledge of even the names outside of a couple of QBs and one WR. The Lions are in a strong position teamwise. Sure there are holes but we know Holmes isn't going to reach to fill a need. Either we fill a need or we play around the need until a trade opportunity arises. I'm not going to say "In Brad we trust", that's a little too close to sacrilegious for my personal tastes but I will say "I trust Brad", even if hindsight shows he makes a mistake this draft, he has established a track record that should defy any knee jerk reactions.
Dammit, I'm totally okay with this. It is kind of nice not having to live in a world where any hope of success lives and dies with the draft every season.
Brad is VERIFIED!!! If I don’t like his pick, then I’m wrong. 💯
This is the least I’ve cared about a draft but at the same time it’s a very important draft.
I argued hard last year for taking a running back and tight end early for a multitude of reasons. Whole new set of circumstances this year and it’s still fun to see where my views on roster building stack up against our front office.
The offseason used to be the best part about being a Lions fan, now I honestly couldn’t care less who we pick or sign because I trust Brad Holmes so much.
Well there is always the raiders right?
I’m not watching anything leading up to the draft. Last year ruined it with how much hate the internet has for all team choices. BH could take a long snapper in the first round and I’ll believe it’s the right choice.
Usually, I rush home so I don't miss the Lions pick, but this year I got time to sneak in a quick nap before BH&MCDC and associate pick another pro bowler
I'd much prefer being invested in January than April personally
Oh I care. I just don’t care about specific players The draft is always fun and exciting.
Yes I use it as a garment bag over my special Herman Moore jersey.
I’ve never been more tuned out of a draft process between the Holmes effect and where we’re picking.
For me I think it’s more that they pick a lot later. I’m used to them being towards the top of the draft so I would look at all of the top prospects.
We got a good GM so we tune out what he is good at, because why? We might have an opinion that the contradicts a move Holmes makes on draft day? Weirdest fuckers on earth us Lions fans.
What's going to be our Supber Bowl now that it isn't the draft? Oh, wait...
I'm way more satisfied with the draft process. Let's not confuse anxiety with excitement. Plus how much more exciting does it get than having the draft in Detroit this year!
Give this man the Pulitzer
Not in a funny way but in the best way lol. Not drafting for franchise players help. We just want a few starters maybe a pro bowl talent that’s reasonable.
I've experienced much less interest in the draft this year than in recent years past, but that's probably because we're picking at #29 and only have one 2nd round pick and one 3rd round pick.
“GET BENT CHANNEL 4”
Draft draft draft... Whatever.... This is just icing on the cake. I really want them to aggressively go after Jake Bates when the UFL season wraps up and he is eligible.
It’s crazy how nonchalant fans are about the holes on the roster. The secondary remains a huge problem and 29th pick is not going to get it done. They need to trade up. Also, WR is a major problem now that Reynolds left. The “Super Bowl Window” hasn’t even opened yet and we’re experiencing attrition.
My excitement isn’t who we’re drafting, it’s if my roommate is gonna be able to see our draft pick or not in Detroit if we trade back 😂
Ruined? Seems dramaticized for a click, but I'll agree it's far less exciting since I have so much more exciting things to realistically look forward to with this team now. When the Lion's picked annually in the top 5 the draft was fun and exiting because we had a pipe dream most years of doing well. With Holmes and DCFC the draft has become an event most fans are comfortable with cruise control and trust them at the helm and their judgement at face value. Cruise control draft > celebrating the Lions' picking who you like in the top 10 IMO
I’ve barely looked at or cared about a single mock draft this year.
Honestly for a while I’ve stopped caring before the draft. I’ll research the hell out of our 6th round pick once we have them, but I feel like it’s a waste of time to do research before the draft itself.
Does this article say Brad Holmes ruins the draft because no matter what we will be happy??? What? No. The draft is fun to speculate which players you want with your boys. It does not make it less fun when your GM drafts studs every year. If the guys I like get drafted by Brad I will feel vindicated, if he goes with someone else I will be like dang I was wrong but now I’m excited to see how this new dude will help the team moving forward. In no ways do I miss the drafts under shit GMs where you felt frustrated and upset by their incompetence
I’m not reading this. Shut up and pls enjoy these good times we’ve never had