Early returns on the Detroit Lions' 2024 Draft class have been sparkling.
In particular, the organization added a pair of offensive playmakers who wound up playing massive roles for Ben Johnson's group. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs and tight end Sam LaPorta have showcased the ability to be forces for the offense for years to come.
When general manager Brad Holmes selected Gibbs 12th overall, many were quick to criticize him for electing to prioritize a running back so high in the Draft.
However, Gibbs proved him right by notching over 1,000 scrimmage yards and becoming a finalist for the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year award. He silenced the critics, as Holmes acknowledged in an end of season interview with the team's website.
“Silence, that’s a good word because he’s pretty silent himself. He’s not gonna say a whole lot but it’s who he is, that’s his make up," Holmes said. "We selected Jahmyr Gibbs because he was just a special player, regardless of position, he was the right player. And for him to have the relationship that he had with David Montgomery and just the way those two fed onto each other. Scottie Montgomery teaching those guys, it takes everyone but I’m just so happy for Jahmyr."
While Gibbs finished just short of 1,000 yards on the ground in what was a superb rookie season, Holmes believes the best is still yet to come for the Alabama product.
"Again, I’m just so excited. He’s gonna be better next year, like this was just scratching the surface of what he did this year," Holmes explained. "Next year’s gonna be even better which is scary. But super proud of him and he’s so humble. He’s worked hard and he’s a perfect fit for us.”
The Lions have the foundation in place to have sustained success, having nailed plenty of offseason acquisitions. Jared Goff has become the franchise quarterback after being acquired in a trade, while Gibbs, LaPorta, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Penei Sewell are among the drafted talents acquired over the last two years.
With Gibbs and LaPorta both up for Offensive Rookie of the Year, each has made a profound impact in their first season with the potential to improve even more going forward.
"Jahmyr, he’s an electric player that’s extremely explosive. But he’s smart, he’s competitive, he’s tough and same with Sam," Holmes said. "He’s another guy that’s very humble, but he’s another tough, competitive, the moment’s not too big. That’s why they were able to have the production that they were able to have this year. You see a lot of guys that are as talented, maybe even guys that are more talented than him but like we preach all the time, if you don’t have those intangible qualities that we look for in Detroit Lions, it’s gonna be hard. And those guys put that on display this year.”
'Our fans are us'
Holmes went viral on multiple occasions for his postgame celebrations after big wins.
In particular, he celebrated with fans after defeating Kansas City in the regular season opener. The game, played out in front of a national audience, proved that the Lions were a force to be reckoned with in 2023.
Holmes addressed that moment, praising the fans for the sacrifices they made to travel across the country to Arrowhead Stadium to show their support.
"It's completely authentic, I'll say. How proud I am of the guys and what they put into it, but the fans -- when I saw how many people showed up at K.C., I'm like, what? Thursday, I get it, opener and all that," Holmes explained. "But it's still a Thursday night. You've got to take off work, people have kids, school night. It's a lot, lot of sacrifice. When I saw that, I had to show them love. I just love our fans because our fans are us. They're gritty, they're what we're about."
After the Lions defeated the Rams in the Wild Card round of the playoffs, Holmes was observed celebrating excitedly in an elevator on his way down to the locker room.
He would be given a game ball by coach Dan Campbell after the win. Reflecting on that moment, he admitted that there were plenty of emotions surrounding the organization's first playoff win in over 30 years.
"But the elevator one, I don't know, I think that was just a culmination of everything that we've been through," the general manager stated. "I think I said in the locker room that we had a lot of -- 'cause Dan gave me the game ball which I wasn't expecting. I was talking about, we had a lot of darkness that shaped us and had us ready for the adversity that we had to face. To be able to break through and get that first win, that home playoff win at Ford Field and seeing that confetti come down, it was everything and I think everything came out of me. It's kind of like when you have a child, every emotion is coming out of you."
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