Were Campbell’s QB comments a smokescreen?
Vito Chirco and Christian Booher, two staff writers at Sports Illustrated/ All Lions, discuss topics related to the Detroit Lions in another edition of Lions’ Roundtable.
1.) Which players at the combine impressed you this weekend?
Booher: I would be remiss if I didn’t start with Calijah Kancey, who broke the mark for the fastest 40yard dash by a defensive tackle. His speed and agility at his size were remarkable to see, and it was exciting to ponder the thought of a player like that potentially becoming a Detroit Lion.
Anthony Richardson had a very good day Saturday, and both Christian Gonzalez and Brian Branch were good on Friday. It was a good weekend for a number of the Detroit Lions’ potential top targets, which was intriguing to see.
Chirco: To start off, I’m going to go with Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson. He set the combine record for a QB in both the broad jump (10’9 ) and vertical jump (40.5”) Saturday. He also recorded a 4.44 40yard dash time, so I don’t know how you could be unable to be impressed with the dual-threat passer. He’s the definition of a tantalizing prospect. And, if scouts weren’t impressed with him already, they definitely are now.
I’m also going to bring up Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. He showed off some high-end agility Saturday, producing a historic 3.93 short shuttle time (the fastest mark by a receiver in the aforementioned drill in nine years).
He also recorded an impressive 3-cone drill time (6.57). Even though Smith-Njigba didn’t run the 40-yard dash, I’ve got to believe the Buckeyes product moved up some teams’ draft boards with his performance Saturday.
2.) Were Dan Campbell’s comments about the Lions keeping an eye on drafting a QB a smokescreen?
Booher:
I don’t think so. Certainly, there’s something to playing the game and generating some buzz that they could take a quarterback, but I believe the team is seriously considering the possibility of adding a signal-caller.
I am still not of the belief that the Lions will be taking a quarterback in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. However, I believe Brad Holmes and company will try to snag one later in the draft to back up Jared Goff.
Comments like the ones Campbell made at the combine make “smokescreen season” fun. It builds intrigue, but nobody truly knows what’s going to happen until the draft officially starts.
Chirco: I don’t want to guarantee that. And, I say that mostly because of the fact that he made a good point in saying Jared Goff isn’t going to be the Lions’ starter under center forever. So, the franchise would be wise to do its due diligence in evaluating this year’s quarterback draft class.
Now, that doesn’t mean I see the organization taking a signal-caller in the first round. I still don’t see that being the case, even with Richardson’s stock rising and him being a popular mock draft target for Detroit. However, I really believe Campbell & Co. will entertain the idea of taking
a flyer on a QB in the mid-to-late rounds of the 2023 draft.
3.) Is there a player you are certain the Lions will regret passing on?
Booher: I am uncertain as to who will be the best players to emerge from this year’s draft class. I believe Will Anderson Jr. will be one of the top players, but there’s no guarantee he’ll be there when the Lions pick at No. 6 overall.
In terms of players the Lions could regret passing on, I believe Joey Porter Jr. could be one of the better cornerbacks. The Lions may regret passing on him. Additionally, there’s always the chance Detroit passes on a quarterback that comes back to haunt the team.
Chirco: At this present juncture, I’m not able to place my finger on one player the Lions will regret not drafting. However, I will say this: If Detroit doesn’t take a defensive back in the first round, I think the organization will live to regret it. There are too many first-round talents at the position — and specifically at cornerback — for Detroit not to nab one of the top players at the position at either No. 6 or No. 18 overall. Whether it’s Oregon’s Christian Gonzalez or Penn State’s Joey Porter Jr. or even Alabama’s Brian Branch or Maryland’s Deonte Banks, I believe the Lions would be making a mistake not selecting one of the aforementioned players in the first round.
4.) What is your reaction to Aaron Glenn saying defenses are built with defensive linemen and cornerbacks? Should there be more of an emphasis on the linebacker position?
Booher: I agree that more emphasis should be put on the linebacker position. He’s not wrong about the importance of those aforementioned positions, but having a high-level linebacker can make a defense so much better.
Getting a versatile player to captain the defense from the middle is very important. Certainly, the defensive line and cornerbacks hold plenty of weight, given the NFL’s ongoing offensive commitment to the passing game. But, linebacker remains one of the more important and impactful positions, as well.
Chirco: I believe there definitely should be more of an emphasis placed on the linebacker position. While I understand that the league is a QB-friendly league nowadays, necessitating the need for strong defensive linemen (i.e. pass rushers) and cover corners, you still need to be equipped with solid linebackers that can make plays. I believe this is especially the case with the middle linebacker position. The middle linebacker is typically the de facto leader of the defense, so you can’t underestimate the value of a smart and capable middle linebacker.
It’s why this offseason Brad Holmes & Co. shouldn’t forget about upgrading their linebackers room.
5.) Do you think Scottie Montgomery will be next Lions OC if Ben Johnson leaves?
Booher:
I think he’ll certainly get a look. He’s interviewed for offensive coordinator jobs in the past, and looks to be on the brink of a breakthrough in his coaching career. If he can work in lock-step with Johnson, he’ll certainly get a chance to get the job, should Johnson become a head coach following the 2023 season.
Chirco: Quite simply, I believe the answer is yes. After Montgomery interviewed for the Buccaneers’ vacant offensive coordinator position, I think it made him almost a shoein to be Detroit’s next OC, if and when Johnson decides to leave for another position next offseason. With another productive season offensively, Johnson will undoubtedly be a highly-coveted head coaching candidate. And, if Detroit’s running backs put together a productive season, as well, I think Montgomery would be due for a promotion in Detroit.