Tag: nfl draft

Detroit Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown just getting started on NFL journey

After signing 4-year extension, he’s most thankful

ALLEN PARK —  Amon-Ra St. Brown’s Cinderella NFL journey started three years ago when the Detroit Lions drafted him in the fourth round.

“When I got drafted this is the one team I didn’t want to go to. If you told me I was going to Detroit I was like, ‘Damn,’’’ St. Brown said on Friday.

Now looking back on it, he realizes it was the best possible NFL landing spot for him.

“The people, the organization, the coaches, the players, the fans. I didn’t know what kind of fans there were here. I knew it was, for the most part, a losing franchise. … I remember my rookie year the fans were out almost every game and we weren’t winning games and they were supportive,’’ St. Brown said during a Friday press conference after signing a four-year extension worth $120 million.

When he first heard the deal was done, he said he was emotional after briefly talking to his Dad and getting a text from a close friend.

“I was close to crying, but I didn’t. I was super excited. I felt like a lot of weight was lifted off my shoulders. When I didn’t cry I was OK, it’s time to go now, it’s real,’’ St. Brown said.

It’s not the end of the story for St. Brown, it’s just a new chapter that is starting. And what better way to kick if off than at the start of the NFL Draft in Detroit on Thursday night to welcome fans from around the world.

St. Brown took the stage with teammates Jared Goff and Aidan Hutchinson. They were joined by Hall of Famers Barry Sanders and Calvin Johnson. Also Eminem, a Detroit favorite, was with them whipping up the crowd. St. Brown mentioned he got a selfie with Eminem.

Detroit broke the NFL record with 275,000 fans for the first night. It looked like a sea of mostly Honolulu blue. It was amazing.

“I knew there were a lot of people there, but I didn’t know how many (without) looking at it in person. I’m walking out, I’m like, ‘Damn ‘ve never seen this many people in my life.’ I’ve played football games, I’ve been in front of 100,000 people, 90,000 people, whatever … it was like I was Travis Scott in concert,’’ St. Brown said. “… There were so many people it was awesome to see the fans, the city all come together. i just feel like everything’s happening all at once, at the right time for the city and the fans.’’

And for the Cinderella man.

“If you would’ve told me three years ago I’d be here today, I don’t know if I’d believe you. This is — everything that’s gone on these past three years, the whole journey, it’s been amazing,’’ St. Brown said. “I wouldn’t trade it for the world.’’

(The Lions have one second-round pick on Friday at 61st overall. Rounds 2-3 start at 7 p.m. on Friday. The draft wraps on Saturday with rounds 4-7 starting at noon.)

Detroit Lions trade up, draft CB Terrion Arnold in first round

ALLEN PARK — The Detroit Lions traded up five spots to take cornerback Terrion Arnold (Alabama) on Thursday night with the 24th overall pick in the first round of the NFL draft in Detroit.

Arnold, an All-American in 2023, was the second cornerback selected. Quinyon Mitchell (Toledo) went to the Eagles with the 22nd pick. 

Cornerback was seen as an area of need for the Lions, the defending NFC North champs. So it made sense to make the move.

“It doesn’t always match up that way. I know you guys have heard me say a million times we don’t care what the position is, we just want to get the best football player,’’ Lions GM Brad Holmes said. “It happened to match up with the best football player and it was an area where we wanted to add one at some point. We didn’t know if we were going to be able to add one in the first round.’’

Holmes said he started making phone calls in the late teens to move up. He said he knew the draft would be offensive-heavy early, but couldn’t be more ecstatic how it went.

“I never thought that he’d be there, but I couldn’t be more thrilled,’’ Holmes said, mentioning Arnold’s good workout at his pro day at Alabama.

He says Arnold has a “challenge mentality” and “right mindset” which will fit the Lions perfectly.

“It’s the more than the skillset for us,’’ said Holmes who examines how a player is wired.

In the trade, Detroit acquired the 24th-overall and a seventh-round 2025 pick, while Dallas received the 29th overall pick and a third-round pick (73rd overall).

“We feel really good about his floor, but we feel even better about his ceiling,’’ Holmes said.

Arnold was one of the prospects on stage for the draft in front of 275,000 fans, many of them Lions fans.

“I grabbed the mic and said I was home and I meant it,” Arnold said. “You have the best fan base in the NFL.”

Arnold, who turned 21 in March, made a pre-draft visit to the Lions.

“One thing that he showed is how smart he was, competitive, just smart and understanding football were some of the things that stood out right away. His understanding of the scheme, the things he did at Alabama and how he had position flexibility. You saw that when you talked to him and saw his personality, ‘’ Deshea Townsend, Lions passing game coordinator/defensive backs coach, said after the selection.

“He’s a corner, you have to be borderline cocky but you have to be humble at the same time and he is a kid that has confidence, but having that confidence he understands that he has to work. That’s one thing I felt when I talked to him,’’ Townsend added.

Arnold, who is 6-foot and 196 pounds, had a breakout season in 2023 with five interceptions and 11 pass breakups.

“That’s one of the most important things that I look at when we’re watching a corner is can he track and locate,’’ Townsend said. “That’s one thing you want to have the ability to do is find the ball and go create turnovers.’’

Arnold will join three other former Crimson Tide players who have been a good fit in Detroit — DB Brian Branch, WR Jameson Williams and RB Jahmyr Gibbs.

Arnold said it means everything to play with those three. “Those are my brothers,” Arnold said.

“I have so much respect for Nick (Saban) and everything he’s done for that program,’’ Holmes said.

Arnold joins Lions cornerbacks Carlton Davis III, Amik Robertson, Emmanuel Moseley, Steven Gilmore, Kindle Vildor, Khalil Dorsey and Craig James.

The first 14 draft picks were all from the offensive side of the ball. Six of the top dozen chosen were quarterbacks. The Colts chose the first defensive player – EDGE rusher Laiatu Latu – with the 15th overall selection.

The Lions have one second-round pick on Friday at 61st overall. Rounds 2-3 start at 7 p.m. on Friday. The draft wraps on Saturday with rounds 4-7 starting at noon.

Another thing or two …

— Detroit set an attendance record with 275,000 fans in Detroit for the first day of the NFL Draft. The announcement was made by commissioner Roger Goodell. In comparison, the 3-day draft in Kansas City (home of the defending Super Bowl champs) drew 312,000 last year.

— Hall of Famers Barry Sanders and Calvin Johnson, along with Amon-Ra St. Brown, Aidan Hutchinson, Jared Goff and fan Eminiem, opened the draft on the stage at Campus Martius with Goodell. St. Brown led the first Ja-Red Goff chants. It’s the first NFL draft held in Detroit.

Detroit Lions reveal new uniforms with a black alternate at Dan Campbell’s request

DETROIT — The black Detroit Lions jerseys have returned in part thanks to coach Dan Campbell.

In 2021, before he had coached his first Lions game, he made a request to Rod Wood, team president.

“We were in the draft room and he said, ‘Hey, Rod when can we get the black jerseys back?’ I said, ‘I’ll make you a deal, when you win the division, I’ll bring the black jerseys back. I went out on a limb and thankfully he delivered.’’

Campbell  had worn the black jerseys when he was a Lions tight end, so to him they were a throwback. 

So the coach held up his part of the deal when the Lions clinched the NFC North on Dec. 24.

And on Thursday night, the black jerseys (which were actually two years in the making) were introduced as the new alternate uniform at a reveal party at Ford Field for season ticket holders. Also revealed were new home and road uniforms with bold numbers and details that stand out. Campbell was welcomed with a standing ovation 

“The black ones seem to be the hit for a lot of people. Kerby (Joseph) was the perfect person to wear it too, we kind of lucked out with him volunteering,’’ Wood said. “The black with the black or we can wear blue pants with it, it’s going to be awesome.’’

Joseph ran onto the stage during his turn to “model” the uniform and hammed it up. It’s what the defensive back does. In fact, Joseph has been known to do a flip out onto the field. Wood advised him against it for the big reveal.

The blue numbers are a standout on the black jerseys.

“Honestly blue is my favorite color, but I think this blue is unique. It really pops. When we go out on the field it will pop,’’ Joseph said. “I feel this blue really stands out, I think it’s the boldness. See how big the numbers are?’’

What’s so special about black jerseys? “They’re like black Air Force 1s. We’re atomic when we wear these,’’ Joseph said.

Defensive tackle Alim McNeill modeled the road white uniform which has the word “Detroit” written above the number on front, while tight end Sam LaPorta was the first on stage with the new home blue jersey. Along for the ride were three Lions legends — Barry Sanders, Calvin Johnson and Chris Spielman.

On the inside collar are embroidered words: One Pride, Motor City and 313. Also, even the white and black jerseys are blue inside the collar. Because after all, Detroit is a blue collar town. It’s a motto that served the Lions well last season.

(The NFL draft, which will take place in Detroit, starts at 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 25, with the first round. Rounds 2-3 begin at 7 p.m. on April 26 and the draft winds up starting at noon on April 27.)