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Eric WoodyardESPN
With the 2021 NFL draft lower than every week away, new Detroit Lions basic supervisor Brad Holmes says the franchise is open to buying and selling its No. 7 general choose.
“Yeah, there was dialogue with different groups,” Holmes mentioned throughout Friday’s pre-draft information convention. “I’ll hold these in-house, however there was discussions.”
Holmes famous that nothing is about in stone at this level.
After a 5-11 end to the 2020 season, through which Detroit ranked final in general staff protection, the Lions have entered a whole rebuild.
Past Holmes, the pre-draft course of has been a collaborative effort with first-year head coach Dan Campbell and his teaching workers in addition to key executives. They’re trying to construct depth on each side of the ball, which is what Holmes considers to be of “utmost significance.”
“At 7, we do have a cluster of gamers that we’re snug with selecting, however on the identical time we might be very ready and in addition prepared to maneuver in both course,” Holmes mentioned. “So, we’re nonetheless open in these regards, however there are a cluster of gamers that we might be snug with.”
Detroit used its choose at No. Three within the 2020 draft to pick Ohio State cornerback Jeff Okudah, who was restricted to 9 video games with 47 tackles and one interception. Though some would possibly think about his rookie season to be a disappointment, the staff is dedicated to bringing the perfect out of him in 12 months 2.
Holmes additionally mentioned that the earlier success or lack thereof of draft picks at sure positions inside the franchise, comparable to extensive receivers or tight ends, is not going to cloud his imaginative and prescient of whom he sees as the perfect match. As huge as on-the-field strengths and weaknesses are within the analysis course of, tradition can also be huge for the brand new Lions regime.
Holmes expects no less than 10 folks to be within the battle room on draft day as soon as official choices are made.
“Extra so from a tradition match, no matter scheme, and clearly scheme does play a component, however on the finish of the day, if the participant has sure requirements of toughness, ardour, if a participant has grit, that does not have something to do with if a man is a press nook or an off-zone quarters nook, or if a man is a Three-Four rush backer,” Holmes mentioned. “Does a man play arduous or he doesn’t? Does he have a excessive motor or does he [not]? Does he take performs off, does he not? Does he love soccer, does he not?
“So, these are the requirements that we search for, however having that grit, ardour for soccer that is at an elite stage, these are just about the requirements which are the matches, extra so of if the man is only a scheme match.”