The Athletic

● By Staff
They’re all important. But for Lions GM Brad Holmes and coach Dan Campbell, the 2023 NFL Draft will be really important. The Lions are 4-7 in the duo’s second season in Detroit. And while parts of this rebuild — which was a total teardown, to the studs — have been more challenging than others, it’s hard not to see some fruit from the evaluation/developmental labor of the front office and coaching staff. The Lions are playing better defense, led by young draft picks like Aidan Hutchinson, Alim McNeill, Kerby Joseph and Malcolm Rodriguez. The offense’s identity is rooted in the run game, anchored by offensive tackle Penei Sewell, the first pick of the Holmes-Campbell era.