The Lions shocked the football world by selecting Alabama RB Jahmyr Gibbs with the 12th overall pick in Thursday's draft, but Gibbs was clearly the player they wanted all along.
GM Brad Holmes was ecstatic after the pick was sent in. Cameras caught him repeatedly slamming a table in the Lions' war room before almost knocking someone over with a forceful hug.
Brad Holmes almost breaks the table in excitement as he and Dan Campbell are glad to draft the versatile, explosive Jahmyr Gibbs #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/51bsgVqsMb
— Andrew Jones (@TWDTV1) April 28, 2023
This wasn't the first time Holmes had a viral reaction to the Lions' top draft pick. His reaction to the Penei Sewell selection in 2021 was so intense that even Dan Campbell seemed taken aback.
No one is more excited about the NFL Draft than #Lions GM Brad Holmes. pic.twitter.com/XnTX4HHsYZ
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) April 27, 2023
TSN'S NFL DRAFT HQ
Live picks tracker | 7-round mock draft | Top 200 big board
It was surprising to see Gibbs come off the board in the top half of the first round, but his stock may have been higher than we all thought. Holmes sure looked like someone who wasn't certain Gibbs would still be on the board when the Lions selected, meaning their trade down from No. 6 to No. 12 might have been a calculated risk.
Gibbs' selection confused some fans, considering Detroit already has D'Andre Swift and David Montgomery in its backfield. Gibbs has drawn comparisons to Alvin Kamara as a result of his pass-catching ability and speed, and this kind of investment might quickly put him at the top of the Lions' depth chart.
The Lions drafted Iowa LB Jack Campbell six picks later at No. 18 overall, so Holmes has two reasons to celebrate on draft night.
