Lions Rumors

Lions Eyed CB Devon Witherspoon; Team Considered Taking Jahmyr Gibbs At No. 6

Decisions to use No. 12 and No. 18 overall picks on a running back (Jahmyr Gibbs) and an off-ball linebacker (Jack Campbell) brought some scrutiny for the Lions. Another organizational plan would have generated more attention during Round 1.

The Lions were prepared to pounce on Devon Witherspoon if the Seahawks went in another direction, with Albert Breer of SI.com indicating the Lions regarded the Illinois cornerback as a clean prospect. But the Seahawks deviated from their past at the corner position and chose Witherspoon at No. 5, leaving the Lions in a bind.

That predicament stemmed from the team placing a much higher-than-expected value on Gibbs. After the Seahawks drafted Witherspoon, GM Brad Holmes spoke with Dan Campbell about pivoting to Gibbs at 6. While Breer adds the Lions’ initial plan was not to draft the Alabama dual threat that high, they were prepared to do so until the Cardinals called about their trade offer to secure Paris Johnson. That move to No. 12 allowed the Lions to pick up draft capital, avoiding a wildly unexpected scenario in which Gibbs went off the board before Bijan Robinson.

Teams’ interest in Gibbs became known during draft week, when reports circulated about some clubs rating former Crimson Tide contributor in the same realm as Robinson. Gibbs topped 440 receiving yards in each of the past two years, and the Lions are prepared to use thee rookie as a multipurpose back to complement David Montgomery. Holmes has acknowledged the positional value-based criticism that has come with selecting a running back 12th overall, and the Lions had the option of drafting Jalen Carter or Tyree Wilson at No. 6. Taking Gibbs over those two pass rushers would have doubled as one of the more fascinating moves in recent draft history, but the Lions added No. 34 and No. 168 to move down six spots.

Detroit did not bring Witherspoon in for a visit, and neither Campbell nor Holmes trekked to Champaign for his pro day. The Seahawks had never drafted a corner higher than 90th (Shaquill Griffin) under the John SchneiderPete Carroll regime, but Witherspoon will team with Tariq Woolen in Seattle. Witherspoon remaining on the board at 5 helped the Seahawks resist a trade-down urge. The Lions have made a few significant additions to their secondary this offseason, signing Cameron Sutton, C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Emmanuel Moseley. After the Seahawks chose Witherspoon, the Lions added Alabama DB Brian Branch in Round 2.

The team initially wanted to draft either Witherspoon or Will Anderson Jr. at No. 6, per Breer, and trade up from No. 18 for Gibbs. Trading out of No. 6 obviously reflected Lions hesitancy regarding Carter and the team placing a value gap between Anderson and Wilson. The Lions moving to 12 also kept them in front of two teams they heard were Gibbs fans — the Patriots (No. 14) and Jets (No. 15). A scouting trip to last season’s Alabama-Texas game alerted Holmes to Gibbs, and he will replace D’Andre Swift in the Motor City.

The Gibbs pick prompted the Eagles to act quickly. They swapped seventh-round picks with the Lions sent the NFC North franchise a 2025 fourth for Swift, who joins Rashaad Penny as Philly offseason backfield additions. Holmes and Eagles GM Howie Roseman discussed the Swift trade for “a few days.”

It’s my job to keep laser-focused on the present but probably even more importantly, keep laser-focused on the future,” Holmes said, via the Detroit Free Press’ Dave Birkett. “And that’s what went into a lot of the decisions with having to make the trade with D’Andre Swift to Philly. He was in the last year of his contract and if I go back to last year, I felt really good about us being able to bring back Jamaal Williams. I felt confident as the season ended. I felt good with our conversations with his camp, and it didn’t happen. So you have to just be prepared for all those things.

Williams did not speak highly of the Lions’ offer; last season’s rushing touchdowns leader is now with the Saints on a three-year, $12MM deal. Montgomery signed a three-year, $18MM pact with the Lions. He and Gibbs now comprise Detroit’s backfield, with the latter on a first-round contract that could have checked in at a higher draft slot.

2024 NFL Fifth-Year Option Tracker

NFL teams have until May 2 to officially pick up fifth-year options on 2020 first-rounders who are entering the final year of their rookie deals. The 2020 CBA revamped the option structure and made them fully guaranteed, rather than guaranteed for injury only. Meanwhile, fifth-year option salaries are now determined by a blend of the player’s position, initial draft placement and performance- and usage-based benchmarks:

  • Two-time Pro Bowlers (excluding alternate Pro Bowlers) will earn the same as their position’s franchise tag.
  • One-time Pro Bowlers will earn the equivalent of the transition tag.
  • Players who achieve any of the following will get the average of the third-20th highest salaries at their position:
    • At least a 75% snap rate in two of their first three seasons
    • A 75% snap average across all three seasons
    • At least 50% in each of first three seasons
  • Players who do not hit any of those benchmarks will receive the average of the third-25th top salaries at their position.

With the deadline looming, we’ll use the space below to track all the option decisions from around the league:

  1. QB Joe Burrow, Bengals ($29.5MM): Exercised
  2. DE Chase Young, Commanders ($17.45MM): Declined
  3. CB Jeff Okudah, Falcons* ($11.51MM): N/A
  4. T Andrew Thomas, Giants ($14.18MM): Exercised
  5. QB Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins ($23.2MM): Exercised
  6. QB Justin Herbert, Chargers ($29.5MM): Exercised
  7. DT Derrick Brown, Panthers ($11.67MM): Exercised 
  8. LB Isaiah Simmons, Cardinals ($12.72MM): Declined
  9. CB C.J. Henderson, Jaguars** ($11.51MM): Declined
  10. T Jedrick Wills, Browns ($14.18MM): Exercised
  11. T Mekhi Becton, Jets ($12.57MM): Declined
  12. WR Henry Ruggs, Raiders: N/A
  13. T Tristan Wirfs, Buccaneers ($18.24MM): Exercised
  14. DT Javon Kinlaw, 49ers ($10.46MM): Declined
  15. WR Jerry Jeudy, Broncos ($14.12MM): Exercised
  16. CB AJ Terrell, Falcons ($12.34MM): Exercised
  17. WR CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys ($17.99MM): Exercised
  18. OL Austin Jackson, Dolphins ($14.18MM): Declined
  19. CB Damon Arnette, Raiders: N/A
  20. DE K’Lavon Chaisson, Jaguars ($12.14MM): Declined
  21. WR Jalen Reagor, Vikings*** ($12.99MM): To decline
  22. WR Justin Jefferson, Vikings ($19.74MM): Exercised
  23. LB Kenneth Murray, Chargers ($11.73MM): Declined
  24. G Cesar Ruiz, Saints ($14.18MM): Declined
  25. WR Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers ($14.12MM): Exercised
  26. QB Jordan Love, Packers ($20.27MM): Extended through 2024
  27. LB Jordyn Brooks, Seahawks ($12.72MM): Declined
  28. LB Patrick Queen, Ravens ($12.72MM): Declined
  29. T Isaiah Wilson, Titans: N/A
  30. CB Noah Igbinoghene, Dolphins ($11.51MM): Declined
  31. CB Jeff Gladney, Vikings: N/A
  32. RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Chiefs ($5.46MM): To decline

* = Lions traded Okudah on April 11, 2023
** = Jaguars traded Henderson on Sept. 27, 2021
*** = Eagles traded Reagor on August 31, 2022

2023 NFL Draft Results: Team By Team

As the 2023 NFL Draft gets underway, we will keep track of each team’s haul here:

Arizona Cardinals

Round 1, No. 6 (from Rams through Lions): Paris Johnson, OT (Ohio State) (signed)
Round 2, No. 41 (from Titans): BJ Ojulari, DE (LSU) (signed)
Round 3, No. 72 (from Titans): Garrett Williams, CB (Syracuse) (signed)
Round 3, No. 94 (from Eagles): Michael Wilson, WR (Stanford) (signed)
Round 4, No. 122 (from Dolphins through Chiefs and Lions): Jon Gaines II, G (UCLA) (signed)
Round 5, No. 139 (from Broncos through Lions): Clayton Tune, QB (Houston) (signed)
Round 5, No. 168 (from Cardinals through Lions): Owen Pappoe, LB (Auburn) (signed)
Round 5, No. 180: Kei’Trel Clark, CB (Louisville) (signed)
Round 6, No. 213: Dante Stills, DT (West Virginia) (signed)

Atlanta Falcons

Round 1, No. 8: Bijan Robinson, RB (Texas) (signed)
Round 2, No. 38 (from Colts): Matthew Bergeron, T (Syracuse) (signed)
Round 3, No. 75: Zach Harrison, DE (Ohio State) (signed)
Round 4, No. 113: Clark Phillips III, CB (Utah) (signed)
Round 7, No. 224 (from Raiders): DeMarcco Hellams, S (Alabama) (signed)
Round 7, No. 225: Jovaughn Gwyn, G (South Carolina) (signed)

Baltimore Ravens

Round 1, No. 22: Zay Flowers, WR (Boston College) (signed)
Round 3, No. 86: Trenton Simpson, LB (Clemson) (signed)
Round 4, No. 124: Tavius Robinson, LB (Ole Miss) (signed)
Round 5, No. 157: Kyu Blu Kelly, CB (Stanford) (signed)
Round 6, No. 199: Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, OT (Oregon) (signed)
Round 7, No. 229 (from Browns): Andrew Vorhees, G (USC) (signed)

Buffalo Bills

Round 1, No. 25 (from Giants through Jaguars): Dalton Kincaid, TE (Utah) (signed)
Round 2, No. 59: O’Cyrus Torrence, G (Florida) (signed)
Round 3, No, 91: Dorian Williams, LB (Tulane) (signed)
Round 5, No. 150 (from Commanders): Justin Shorter, WR (Florida) (signed)
Round 7, No. 230 (from Buccaneers through Jets, Texans, Eagles and Bills): Nick Broeker, G (Ole Miss) (signed)
Round 7, No. 252 (from Buccaneers through Rams): Alex Austin, CB (Oregon State) (signed)

Carolina Panthers

Round 1, No. 1 (from Bears): Bryce Young, QB (Alabama) (signed)
Round 2, No. 39: Jonathan Mingo, WR (Ole Miss) (signed)
Round 3, No. 80 (from Steelers): D.J. Johnson, DE (Oregon) (signed)
Round 4, No. 114: Chandler Zavala, G (North Carolina State) (signed)
Round 5, No. 145: Jammie Robinson, S (Florida State) (signed)

Chicago Bears

Round 1, No. 10 (from Saints through Eagles): Darnell Wright, OT (Tennessee) (signed)
Round 2, No. 53 (from Ravens): Gervon Dexter, DT (Florida) (signed)
Round 2, No. 56 (from Jaguars): Tyrique Stevenson, CB (Miami) (signed)
Round 3, No. 64: Zacch Pickens, DT (South Carolina) (signed)
Round 4, No. 115 (from Saints): Roschon Johnson, RB (Texas) (signed)
Round 4, No. 133 (from Eagles): Tyler Scott, WR (Cincinnati) (signed)
Round 5, No. 148 (from Patriots through Ravens): Noah Sewell, LB (Oregon) (signed)
Round 5, No. 165 (from Saints through Eagles): Terell Smith, CB (Minnesota) (signed)
Round 7, No. 218: Travis Bell, DT (Kennesaw State) (signed)
Round 7, No. 258: Kendall Williamson, S (Stanford) (signed)

Cincinnati Bengals

Round 1, No. 28: Myles Murphy, DE (Clemson) (signed)
Round 2, No. 60: DJ Turner, CB (Michigan) (signed)
Round 3, No. 95 (from Chiefs): Jordan Battle, S (Alabama) (signed)
Round 4, No. 131: Charlie Jones, WR (Purdue) (signed)
Round 5, No. 163: Chase Brown, RB (Illinois) (signed)
Round 6, No. 206: Andrei Iosivas, WR (Princeton) (signed)
Round 6, No. 217 (from Chiefs): Brad Robbins, P (Michigan) (signed)
Round 7, No. 246: DJ Ivey, CB (Miami) (signed)

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Lions Trade RB D’Andre Swift To Eagles

After the Lions drafted Jahmyr Gibbs in the first round, the writing appeared on the wall for D’Andre Swift. Two days later, Detroit will part ways with its 2020 second-round pick.

The fourth-year back is headed to the Eagles in a Saturday swap, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. While this is yet another Georgia alum coming to the Eagles, Swift is a Philadelphia native.

The Eagles are sending the Lions No. 219 this year and a 2025 fourth-rounder, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. In exchange, Detroit will send No. 249 this year to Philly, Schefter adds (on Twitter). Swift is tied to just a $1.77MM 2023 base salary.

Pre-draft reports connected the Eagles to Bijan Robinson, but after the Texas running back went to the Falcons at No. 8, the Eagles traded up one spot to select Jalen Carter. In a Georgia-filled weekend for the defending NFC champions, they will acquire a contract-year running back. Swift joins Kenneth Gainwell, Boston Scott and free agent signing Rashaad Penny on Philly’s roster. Swift’s camp had spoken to the Lions about a scenery change.

It should be expected the Eagles’ Miles Sanders replacement effort is complete via this trade and the Penny addition. While Swift has dealt with some injury issues, he represents a much safer bet than Penny, who is coming off yet another major malady. Swift has missed 10 games in three seasons but showed flashes as a dual-threat option during his three-year Detroit stay.

Swift has 25 career touchdowns, posted 1,069 scrimmage yards in 14 games in 2021 and averaged 5.5 yards per carry last season. However, the Lions primarily used Jamaal Williams as their 2022 ball carrier. Swift only received 99 totes last season. This course change caused Swift to voice frustration about his reduced role. The Lions have since signed David Montgomery to a three-year, $18MM deal and drafted Gibbs, who will complement the ex-Bears back and work as a receiving threat.

Swift, 24, battled ankle trouble last season, a shoulder problem in 2021 and missed two games because of a concussion in 2020. He also ripped off back-to-back 130-plus-yard rushing games in 2021, raising his profile. The Eagles, who have featured top-shelf rushing attacks in each of the past two years, will see if they can coax quality production from the former No. 35 overall pick. Swift will join former high school teammate Olamide Zaccheaus as offseason Eagles additions.

UDFA Kansas State QB Adrian Martinez Signing With Lions

The Lions will be enlisting a bit more help at the quarterback position this offseason, signing undrafted Kansas State quarterback Adrian Martinez, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Martinez will try to find a place in the NFL after five years as a starter at the college level.

Martinez began his career as a four-year starter at Nebraska, starting as a true freshman for the Cornhuskers. He had perhaps one of his best seasons as a college rookie completing 64.6 percent of his passes for 2,617 yards and 17 touchdowns with only eight interceptions. Martinez struggled through his sophomore year and had to fight off Luke McCaffrey to hold on to his starting job for the next two seasons. He ended his Cornhusker career with a 14-24 record as a starter, passing for 8,491 yards, 45 touchdowns, and 30 interceptions.

Martinez used his final year of eligibility to transfer to Kansas State, where he became the starter for the Wildcats and led them to a 5-2 start before injuries limited him for the rest of the year. At Kansas State, Martinez passed for 1,261 yards and six touchdowns with only one interception. Martinez also brings a dangerous rushing element to the field. Over five seasons at the college level, he rushed for 2,928 yards and 45 touchdowns, giving him 96 total touchdowns for his career.

In Detroit, Martinez enters a quarterbacks room that includes veterans Jared Goff and Nate Sudfeld and rookie third-round pick Hendon Hooker. He’ll likely be trying to compete for a third-string spot. His rushing availability makes him a useful practice squad quarterback who can run the scout team offense to simulate a division opponent like Justin Fields.

Cardinals Send No. 96 To Detroit; Lions Select DT Brodric Martin

The Cardinals continue to deal picks in the 2023 NFL Draft, this time trading the No. 96 overall pick to the Lions in exchange for Detroit’s Nos. 122, 138, and 168, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. The Lions used their new third-round pick to select Western Kentucky defensive tackle Brodric Martin.

Coming out of Tuscaloosa with no stars in recruiting rankings, Martin went to North Alabama. He played for four years at the FCS school before transferring to Western Kentucky in the spring of 2021. Martin’s production saw no drop off as he elevated to the FBS level. In two years with the Hilltoppers, Martin totaled 62 tackles, six tackles for loss, and four sacks, all impressive numbers for a nose tackle.

At nearly 6-foot-5, 330 pounds, Martin is a boulder in the middle of the defensive line. While his technique wasn’t fully developed and sometimes lacks, he makes up for it with violent strength and deceptive quickness. He accumulated 143 tackles in five years of college play thanks to his ability to stack up and move laterally to defend multiple gaps in the line.

Defensive tackle was a bit of a need for Detroit. The Lions rolled mostly with Alim McNeill and Isaiah Buggs on the interior defensive line, rotating in Benito Jones as Levi Onwuzurike sat out the year recovering from back surgery. None of the linemen were necessarily dominant with McNeill grading out highest, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), ranking as the 33rd-best defensive tackle in the league.

Martin likely won’t be asked to play the 65-plus percentage of defensive snaps that McNeill and Buggs did in 2022, but he should provide strong contributions in short sample sizes. With Onwuzurike hopefully due to return soon, Martin won’t be expected to be an immediate contributor, but once he develops, Martin could be a strong nose tackle in Aaron Glenn‘s system.

Lions Draft QB Hendon Hooker At No. 68

Hendon Hooker generated buzz as a possible late-first-round pick, but the Tennessee quarterback fell out of Round 2. The Lions will stop his fall, selecting him at No. 68 overall.

Detroit moved down twice in Round 2, sliding back to from No. 55 to No. 63 and back to No. 68. They now have a unique developmental quarterback set to work behind Jared Goff. Hooker, however, spent six years in college and is going into his age-25 season. He is also coming off an ACL tear sustained in November.

After four years at Virginia Tech, Hooker transferred to Tennessee to take over after the departure of Jarrett Guarantano. A breakout season saw Hooker throw for 2,945 yards and 31 touchdowns to just three interceptions, adding 616 yards and five touchdowns on the ground. He utilized his extra COVID year of eligibility to return in 2022. Playing in two fewer games due to the ACL tear that ended his final year early, Hooker threw for 3,135 yards and 27 touchdowns to just two interceptions, adding 430 yards and five touchdowns on the ground.

His knee might not be the only concern health-wise. A potential heart condition was discovered when undergoing tests after a positive COVID test, according to Dennis Dodd of CBS Sports. The condition was determined to be a “false alarm” as a result of a procedure, but Hooker later suffered a convulsive episode that he blamed on medication from the heart procedure.

Looking past all that, Hooker was dominant at Tennessee. He took advantage of the quarterback-friendly offense for a masterfully efficient 58 touchdowns to five interceptions. He has a strong arm and touch that makes him a phenomenal deep ball passer. He didn’t rely on it in college, but he has an instinctive ability in the open field, utilizing agility, elusiveness, and toughness. Heupel lauded him as a hard worker and a strong leader, as well.

There’s a lot to like about Hooker’s long-term upside. His mental development over his collegiate career bodes well for his ability to attack the learning-curve he’ll face in the NFL. He boasts some strong tools, as well, that will come in handy when he does catch up to the professional game. As long as health is of no concern, there’s no reason that Hooker can’t develop into a starter at the NFL-level.

Hooker lands in a beautiful spot to develop with the Lions. Detroit had an impressive season behind their veteran quarterback in Goff. Goff had a resurgent season last year but still holds a massive $30.98MM cap hit in 2023 and a $31.65MM cap his in 2024. If Hooker can take up the Lions offense quickly while sitting behind Goff as a rookie, Detroit may feel comfortable taking on the $5MM of dead money they would incur by releasing Goff in 2024.

If not, Goff has two years left on his contract. If the Lions are planning to transition to an offense lead by Hooker, he’ll have one to two years to get comfortable running an NFL attack. If they’re happy with Goff and plan on extending his stay in the Motor City, then they’ve acquired a strong upgrade at the backup quarterback position.

Lions Trade No. 63 To Broncos

The Lions will make another second-round trade with an AFC West team, sending Nos. 63 and 183 overall to the Broncos in exchange for Nos. 68 and 139 (Twitter link via Lions reporter Tim Twentyman). Denver selected Oklahoma wide receiver Marvin Mims.

Considering the Broncos have held intermittent trade talks regarding Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton, this selection is an eyebrow-raising move. Mims will add another young element to a Denver passing game which struggled to establish production or consistency in 2022. That was an especially disappointing development considering the expectations the team faced.

Mims – the younger brother of the Jets’ Denzel Mims – followed him by playing in the Big 12 in college. The Sooners pass-catcher enjoyed an intriguing freshman campaign, totaling 610 yards and nine touchdowns. He was once again a major deep threat in 2021, but his most productive campaign came last year.

The 5-11, 177-pounder racked up 1,083 yards and six touchdowns on 54 receptions in 2022. His 20.1 yards-per-catch average established himself as a dynamic field-stretcher. His frame made him similar to many other WRs in this year’s class, though, which no doubt contributed to his wait to hear his name called. He will now join an intriguing situation in the NFL.

Denver faces plenty of expectation once again with Sean Payton now at the helm. He has insisted that neither Jeudy nor Sutton will be on the move, and that pair will top the team’s depth chart in 2023 presuming they do indeed remain in the fold. Mims will look to fill the deep-speed position occupied by KJ Hamler, who has struggled to stay healthy during his three years in the NFL. If the latter were to depart in free agency, Mims could be well-positioned to take his place for the long-term future.

Lions Deal No. 55 To Chiefs

The defending Super Bowl champions are moving up in the second round. The Lions will allow the Chiefs to vault to No. 55, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets.

Detroit will pick up Nos. 63, 122, 249 from Kansas City; in addition to No. 55, the Lions sent No. 194 to the Chiefs. After attempting to move up in Round 1, the Chiefs will climb in their home draft tonight.

With the new selection, the Chiefs will take SMU wide receiver Rashee Rice. A Danny Gray teammate at SMU, Rice spent four seasons as a contributor for the Mustangs. With Gray in San Francisco, Rice stepped up to deliver his best work as a senior. He caught 96 passes for 1,355 yards and 10 touchdowns.

The Chiefs did extensive work on this year’s first-round crop of wideouts and discussed moving up with the Vikings on Thursday night. But Kansas City stayed at No. 31. Now, the team is moving to help fill the voids created by the exits of JuJu. Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman.

Kansas City showed an ability to remain productive without Tyreek Hill in 2022, leading the league in passing, total and scoring offense. That leaves reason for optimism in their potential to carry on next season, and Rice will have a role in the team’s diverse passing scheme.

The Chiefs have only made one free agent addition at the WR spot so far (Richie James). Rice certainly won’t preclude a move for another veteran following the draft, but Rice represents another young addition to their pass-catching room. Former Giants first-rounder Kadarius Toney, along with 2022 second-rounder Skyy Moore, are set for large roles moving forward. Rice will join those as he looks to aid another Super Bowl run.

Lions Land No. 45 From Packers, Select DB Brian Branch

For a second straight year, the Lions and Packers will make a second-round trade. After the Packers moved up last year, the Lions will do so Friday. Detroit traded Nos. 48 and 159 to Green Bay.

With the pick, the Lions chose Alabama defensive back Brian Branch. A popular name on the pre-draft interview circuit, Branch stands to give Detroit interesting options. He worked as a safety and slot cornerback with the Crimson Tide. Considering the Lions signed safety/corner C.J. Gardner-Johnson, suddenly Aaron Glenn‘s defense brings intriguing versatility.

Branch filled the stat sheet in his final season, racking up 90 tackles (including 14 for loss), three sacks, a pair of interceptions and seven pass breakups. That allowed him to stand out from an otherwise underwhelming safety class, and led many to expect he would be selected on Thursday.

Instead, his wait will ultimately lead to him the Motor City and a new-look secondary. It will certainly be interesting to see how he is used in 2023 in particular, with Gardner-Johnson having signed only a one-year pact. He and Branch have similar skillsets and could compete for playing time at multiple spots as the Lions look to take a needed step forward on defense next season.

Detroit and Green Bay swapped spots in the move which allowed the Packers to select wideout Christian Watson in 2022. Now, their roles have been reversed in a deal seeing the Lions add what they hope will be a long-term mainstay on their backend. Even with the trade-up, Detroit has another Day 2 picked scheduled at No. 55 overall.