Dan Campbell Details ‘Busy’ Draft Week, Growth of Jared Goff
With the first round set to begin Thursday night, the Lions are likely sifting through all the different scenarios and which players could be available at or around their 28th overall selection. As a result, there is an abundance of research being done by all members of the Lions’ staff.
Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes are embarking on their fifth draft together, and together their draft record has helped to transform the Lions into a perennial playoff contender.
During an appearance on ‘Ozzy and Keats,’ a podcast hosted by Detroit sports analyst John Keating and former Detroit Red Wings goalie Chris Osgood, Campbell outlined exactly how busy the week leading up to the draft is for the organization.
“It’s busy. The only one it’s busier for than me is Brad Holmes, the general manager. He’s the one that’s got to clean a lot of this up,” Campbell said. “Certainly, we get together and we talk about players we like, what we see. We take input from the coaches, the personnel department, scouts, all those area scouts. But he’s the one that’s got to decide, ‘I just got the medical on this guy, the personal side, the background, this and that.’ So he’s the one that’s got to clean it up.”
Campbell refers to draft season as Holmes’ time to shine. The duo have developed and executed a collaborative approach, with similar eyes for talent. Both also have an ultimate emphasis on culture, which leads the team to bring in talented players who fit the organization’s philosophy.
As a result, Holmes does the heavy lifting during draft season, but Campbell is always around to lend a hand.
“Ultimately, that’s a lot, that’s a lot on him. During the season, that’s my time. When the season’s up, I tell him, ‘Tag, you’re it,’ and it’s his turn,” Campbell explained. “We’re in his time right now. He does an unbelievable job, he’s got great vision. We’re fortunate, we see players very much alike and pretty much cut from the same cloth. It’s busy, it really doesn’t slow down til summer.”
