All we've heard this offseason is how the Detroit Lions are ready to take over the NFC North. How the Lions have made smart decision after smart decision to build a potential contender.
To make it worse, the Lions entered the 2023 NFL Draft with two incredible first-round picks at No. 6 and No. 18. Yet, somehow, they have turned back into the Detroit Lions.
Some things never change. The Green Bay Packers were never going to draft a wide receiver in the first round, instead choosing Iowa pass rusher Lukas Van Ness.
The Lions, meanwhile, snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.
Detroit traded down after missing out on Devon Witherspoon. In the new position of No. 12 overall, a future superstar CB1 fell to the Lions' laps in Oregon's Christian Gonzalez. The Lions drafted a running back instead, and no, not Bijan Robinson.
At No. 18, the Lions could've drafted one of the top cornerbacks like Deonte Banks or Joey Porter Jr. They could've formed a dominant pass-rush duo by pairing Myles Murphy with Aidan Hutchinson. Instead, the Lions selected linebacker Jack Campbell.
Take nothing away from Jahmyr Gibbs and Campbell. They can both be excellent players. But the Lions massively reached on players they probably could've drafted on Day 2.
Needless to say, Packers fans are loving it.
Best memes and tweets as Lions screw up first round
What are the Lions doing????? https://t.co/MJ3V46ZUPZ
— Wendell Ferreira (@wendellfp) April 28, 2023
LIONS DID WHAT
— Pack to the Future (@PTTF_Podcast) April 28, 2023
THE LIONS WENT WITH GIBBS?
— Tom Grossi (@tomgrossicomedy) April 28, 2023
the lions taking Jahmyr gibbs when they already have swift and montgomery pic.twitter.com/msmiZIVTDb
— Annie Agar (@AnnieAgar) April 28, 2023
I think the lions might have just done a dumb-dumb…
— Daire Carragher (@DaireCarragher) April 28, 2023
The Lions got two good players but those are high values for de-valued positions. I'm confused.
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) April 28, 2023
Me talking about the Lions draft capital / me seeing what the Lions did with their first pick pic.twitter.com/6fbdEU9fPv
— Bill Barnwell (@billbarnwell) April 28, 2023
The Lions signed David Montgomery and Alex Anzalone to 3/$18M deals and then drafted a running back and off-ball LB with Top 20 picks
— Brad Spielberger, Esq. (@PFF_Brad) April 28, 2023
Just a nonsensical approach rn
Maybe the Lions will prove everyone wrong.
Again, nobody is saying they are bad players. But the Lions already have good depth at running back and paid David Montgomery. And an inside linebacker in the first round? It just doesn't make sense.
The Lions are the best team in the NFC North, according to many. But it seems like they are desperate to turn back into the Lions.
As Packers fans, it's perfect.