Every year, it seems this is one of the toughest Detroit Lions awards to give out. Rookie of the Year is challenging because Lions general manager Brad Holmes has done a phenomenal job drafting talent who can both produce in the immediate and long term. In Year 1 of Holmes’ regime, he got two All Pros who had wonderful rookie years in Penei Sewell and Amon-Ra St. Brown. In Year 2, Aidan Hutchinson and Kerby Joseph were pillars of a young, improving defense—and he even got a ton of production out of sixth-round linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez.
But 2023 may turn out to be Holmes’ most impactful draft.