During his end-of-season press conference Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes said he felt pretty good about his draft class.
“I think all seven draftees played critical roles, played valuable roles,” Holmes said on Tuesday. “Six of the seven were starters at some point in this season, even down to a seventh-round pick in Jermar Jefferson, he was able to contribute.”
Though part of his praise was more a result of circumstance—the Lions had to start a lot of rookie due to injuries in 2021—Holmes and company deserve some praise for actually making the most out of those picks.