Tag: nfl draft

Lions draft OL Colby Sorsdal in fifth round

ALLEN PARK — With the 152nd overall pick, the Lions drafted Colby Sorsdal who was a five-year starter at William & Mary. It was the Lions’ first of two selections on Saturday, the final day of the draft.

Sorsdal, who is 6-foot-6 and 301 pounds, was a team captain with 46 starts at right tackle. He became a starter as a true freshman for the Tribe.

“I can’t really explain the feelings right now, I think I have hives a little bit for how excited I am,’’Sorsdal said during a Zoom interview from his family home in Dallas.

Look for him to possibly move to the interior line due to his lack of length (short arms). He said he just wants to make an impact wherever he is on the field.

He joins one of the best offensive lines in the NFL with guys like Taylor Decker, Frank Ragnow, Penei Sewell and Jonah Jackson.

“I think one of my strengths is that I learn and I love to learn. Coming into a room and learning from all of those guys, it’s a dream come true,’’ Sorsdal said. “I’m just excited to get to work.’’

He first talked to the Lions at the Shrine game and a local scout was at his pro day. He said he’s also talked to Hank Fraley, the Lions offensive line coach.

Sorsdal wasn’t invited to the NFL Combine, but has size, experience, moves very well and most of all he has toughness, according to Brian Baldinger of the NFL Network.

He was a  third-team All-Colonial Athletic Association selection for his play in 10 starts in 2021. Then he was a first-team FCS All-American and All-CAA notice as a 13-game starter in his final season.

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.