Category: Uncategorized

Lions trade RB D’Andre Swift to Eagles

ALLEN PARK — In a move that was expected, the Detroit Lions traded running back D’Andre Swift to the Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday.

The move was in the cards once the Lions drafted running back Jahmyr Gibbs in the first round on Thursday night. Lions GM Brad Holmes chose his words carefully after that pick, pointing out that Swift was still on the roster. 

Like Swift, Gibbs is a threat out of the backfield. Last season at Alabama he rushed for 926 yards with seven touchdowns and had 44 receptions for 444 yards and three receiving touchdowns.

The Lions acquired 25-year-old veteran running back David Montgomery in free agency and lost Jamaal Williams who signed with the Saints.

In return for the trade to the Eagles, the Lions will swap seventh-round picks today (Saturday), moving up to 219th from 249th and receive a fourth-round pick in 2025.

Eagles GM Howie Roseman told ESPN: “(Swift’s) got big-play ability as a runner and a receiver. We saw it first-hand when we were in Detroit the first game of the season.”

The 24-year-old Swift, who was drafted by Detroit with the third pick in the second round in 2020, finished his three seasons (39 games) with 364 carries for 1,680 yards (4.6 yards per carry), 18 rushing touchdowns and 156 receptions for 1,198 yards and seven receiving TDs. 

He returns to his hometown of Philadelphia where he attended St. Joseph’s Prep before playing college ball at Georgia.

Lions trade up to draft DT Brodric Martin from Western Kentucky

ALLEN PARK — The Detroit Lions traded three third-day picks (122, 138 and 168) late Friday to the Arizona Cardinals to move up to 96th to draft defensive tackle Brodric Martin who played at Western Kentucky.

Martin, who is 6-foot-5 and 337 pounds, is the first defensive lineman in this draft for the Lions and the third defensive player.

“I’m glad to be a part of this organization. I’m not surprised but I’m blessed (to be picked on Day 2),’’ Martin said on a Zoom call on Friday night.
He had a Top 30 visit with the Lions.

“Just talking with (Dan Campbell), he gave me a sense of confidence. I (also) talked to the D-line coaches. They’re the kind of coaches I want to be coached by,’’ said Martin who noted he could play anywhere along the defensive line.

He started his college career at Division II North Alabama and transferred to Western Kentucky for the 2021 season. That was a tough time for him because his 27-year-old brother, Brandon Martin, died of leukemia that October.

As a senior in 2022, he earned honorable mention All-Conference USA honors, starting all 14 appearances (31 tackles, 1.5 sacks, two pass breakups).

His NFL.com draft prospect bio read: “Space-eating nose tackle for consideration in both odd and even fronts. Martin’s size and length will be coveted by NFL teams, but his impact on games can be blunted at times due to a lack of leverage to hold his anchor. If he can play with a little better bend and quicker hands, he has the awareness and ability to handle two-gapping duties. He can take on double teams with better technique and more work. Martin’s traits and talent create Day 3 draft value as a rotational interior lineman.’’

After a day of trades, the Lions are left with just two picks on Saturday — 152nd and 249th.

Lions draft QB Hendon Hooker in 3rd round; he’s coming off torn ACL

ALLEN PARK — The Lions moved down in the third round on Friday and selected 25-year-old quarterback Hendon Hooker who played at Tennessee.

It’s likely Hooker dropped down the draft board because he’s coming off an ACL tear that occurred on Nov. 19. Jared Goff is the Lions’ starter but they needed to add a quarterback along with Goff and Nate Sudfeld.

Hooker said he’s looking forward to working with Goff and learning from him.

“I’ll be a sponge, come in and learn every nuance of how to be a pro. Just admire him,” Hooker said on Friday night. “He’s been in the league for a long time and he’s been doing a great job of developing every year…and that’s all you can ask for.”

Hooker, who is 6-foot-3 and 217, was an early Heisman favorite in 2022, eventually winning SEC Offensive Player of the Year and being named a third-team Associated Press All-American. He threw for 3,135 yards (229-329-69.6%) and 27 scores (against just two interceptions) and rushed for 430 yards (104 carries, 4.1 per) and five touchdowns in 11 starts before he suffered a torn left ACL that ended his season.

He said he’s taking his knee rehab day by day and didn’t give a projected date on when he could return to the field. “When I’m ready to rock ‘n’ roll it’s going to be a site to see,” said Hooker who met with the team in Allen Park during the pre-draft process.

Hooker has a long-time connection with Lions GM Brad Holmes who played with his dad, Alan, at North Carolina A&T.

At Tennessee, Hooker led the nation’s top offense with an FBS-best 9.53 yards per pass attempt. He also ranked second in pass efficiency (175.5) and seventh in completion percentage in 2022 and set Tennessee records by throwing 261 passes without an interception and recording a touchdown pass in 20 straight games.

Hooker started his college career at Virginia Tech and took over the quarterback role at Tennessee in 2021.

Hooker’s NFL.com draft prospect bio reads: “Hooker’s age and ACL tear will be starting points for many draft conversations, but the most important question to be answered is whether he can thrive outside of the Tennessee offense. Hooker was frequently a half-field reader, which means he could lean on spacing, speed and/or route combinations to make life easier. He’s more accurate outside the numbers than between the hashes and his deep ball placement was much more uneven than expected. However, Hooker plays with excellent poise and footwork as a pocket passer. He will make quarterback coaches and play-callers happy with his adherence to keeping plays on schedule. He’s still showing signs of improvement and growth at the position, and his ability to hurt teams with his legs creates opportunities to help his offense outside of what he does in the pocket. His recovery from the ACL tear will require monitoring, but he has the talent to become a starter in a timing-based, spread offense.’’