16 Comments
User's avatar
Jayson's avatar

Apparently the Lions thought TeSlaa was electric.

Expand full comment
Jim Pen's avatar

I like the player and though I don't like the trade-ups I've come to expect and grudgingly accept it from Brad

Expand full comment
Paul Marquardt's avatar

So a few things I get. You draft for the long term, not the short term; three guys who stick beat six guys who don’t; and Brad Holmes is way better at talent evaluation than I am. There were edges we could have gotten, but Brad didn’t like the options. Respect that.

But what are the the realistic (cost, fit, and availability) options on the edge for next year? Can’t be “we’re good.”

Expand full comment
Pat B's avatar
1dEdited

So there are two things that I keep in mind about this… First, Detroit is a high-quality roster needing a handful of pieces rather than wholesale turnover of the roster. Second, this draft was regarded as being fairly weak on talent outside the top 80 or 100 pics. Each one of the guys he’s taken yesterday and today were for a specific purpose on the team in the coming years

Expand full comment
Blueingreer's avatar

You guys will forget all about those picks when you see Telsaa play.

This is going to be fun.

Expand full comment
Christopher Knight's avatar

Justin, I saw the press conference so I know this wasn't necessarily addressed.

Dane Brugler said tonight that "a lot of teams had Day 3 grades on him."

I'm not saying he would have been there at 102 - size, speed, hands, and run blocking all say otherwise. I actually had a feeling he was gonna be the pick in the third.

But I'm really curious why they believed they had to get to 70. Why not just trade 1 2026 third to move up to like pick 90? Or move some of tomorrow's capital? Who were we trying to get in front of?

Expand full comment
Blueingreer's avatar

The flip side of "a lot of teams had Day 3 grades on him." is some teams had day 2 grades on him and Holmes wanted him so he made sure to get him.

Expand full comment
Christopher Knight's avatar

Yeah that's what I'm kinda getting at. I'm wondering if he had a feeling he was gonna go near the top of the third.

Expand full comment
Aaron Sturgill's avatar

Im relaxed. It's not the trade that bothers me as much as the "reach" it seems to be. The same thing with Martin and Manu... feels like patience would have paid off, and didn't need to deal all the capital. I could be wrong. But Holmes could have waited for his pick in the 4th to get Martin, AND still kept all the capital he gave up. Feels the same for TeSlaa... did we really need to deal 2 extra picks to get someone whonhad a decent change of being there at 102?

Expand full comment
Philip Fracassi's avatar

wow

Expand full comment
JFL's avatar

F them picks Holmes play

Expand full comment
Aaron Sturgill's avatar

Man... Holmes really does love giving valuable draft capital for unknown projects. Hasn't really worked out yet but only takes one I guess. Justin, is it reasonable to assume he has good info that TeSlaa would not be there at 102?

Expand full comment
DETROIT LIONS #1 FAN's avatar

Looking at NFL Draft trade charts, this trade is more even than you think. Obviously there will be some variation as we don't know exactly where the Lions will pick next year.

Relax take a deep breath let Brad cook.

Expand full comment
David Cords's avatar

I acknowledge the values are basically a wash. However, I’d rather have Brad make those 2 selections next year or use them/package them to trade up in the 1st or 2nd next year. However, if the pick hits he wins again.

Expand full comment
Christopher Knight's avatar

In fairness, third round pick in the 90s, at best moves you up from pick 32 to pick 27.

Expand full comment
Brian's avatar

Ouchie on these trades, I guess gotta trust Brad

Expand full comment