Just a couple of years ago, the Detroit Lions were gearing up for the draft, they were going to have the #2 overall pick, and would later use that pick to kickstart their seemingly endless rebuild.
After the Jaguars opted to pick Travon Walker, the Lions went with the seemingly #1 overall player in the draft, taking Aidan Hutchinson out of Michigan to try and turn around a bottom-of-the-league defensive unit. Just 1 year prior, they had traded away their face of the franchise to the Rams for Jared Goff. They had fired Matt Patricia and hired Dan Campbell in hopes to change the mood of the organization.
The following season, the Lions would come as close to the playoffs as possible, but narrowly missing out thanks to a Seahawks win early in Week 18. Once again, in the offseason, they would have a high pick (#12) in the draft, and a chance to give the fans what they had been waiting for for just about the entire 21st century....
With that #12 pick, they would surprise every NFL fan and select former Alabama RB Jahmyr Gibbs. Picking at Number 18, they selected Iowa LB Jack Campbell, which was once again frowned upon. At #34, they took TE Sam LaPorta to fill the void left by trading TJ Hockenson to the Vikings at the deadline.
Now, as the season started with a Thursday night game against the Chiefs, fans were prepared for a big turnaround. Without Travis Kelce, KC would struggle, and the Lions would pull away with the win in the season opener.
They kept the hot start going, and made it known to everyone that they were a serious Super Bowl Contender. Now, they find themselves in the Divisional Round of the playoffs, ready to take their next challenge on the road to the Super Bowl. Here are just a few of the important steps they took on the long, long road to get to this point.
1) DRAFTING AMON-RA ST. BROWN
St. Brown has been the clear number 1 target for QB Jared Goff. They got him late in the 2022 NFL Draft, and he has been consistently excellent so far in his career. By drafting him, they gave Goff a reliable guy who they know can get solid yardage every time he touches the ball. Especially considering where they picked him, St. Brown has been one of the best value picks in recent history.
2) DRAFTING PENEI SEWELL
Sewell, picked number 7 overall out of Oregon, has provided strong protection in both the passing and rushing game. His presence on the right side has given Jared Goff consistent time and space in the pocket to find open receivers downfield. Throughout the entire draft process, Sewell was expected to go as the top tackle in the draft, but the Lions were still able to get him as the #1 tackle at 7.
3) HIRING DAN CAMPBELL
Campbell was able to turn around the entire culture of a franchise that had not seen a playoff win in years. Despite going 3-13-1 in his first season as head coach, there was no doubt within the organization that Campbell was the answer. Upon walking in the building for the first time, he had the respect of every player and coach, and he is yet to give it back since. The Lions hiring Campbell set the tone for an expedited rebuild that fans had been waiting on for years.
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