NFL teams have stumbled to add stellar defenders in the last two seasons, suggesting that a rise in position could lead them to the Super Cup.
But Detroit Lions second-year coach Dan Campbell told reporters on Wednesday that he did not believe teams should be elite in position for long-term success.
“No, I don’t think you need it,” Campbell said. – I think such guys are obviously special. And they certainly can give you a better chance. But no, I don’t believe you need to have one of these guys to achieve sustainable success. ”
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The Lions are ready to enter 2022 with Jared Goff as the starting defender for the second season in a row, but no one in the organization has approved Goff as a permanent answer to this position.
Goff spent his mediocre first season in Detroit, and is widely considered a starting point in the NFL from the middle of the road. He made 67% of his assists last season, but sometimes didn’t want to push the ball down, although his game improved in the second half.
This offseason, the Lyons have stopped playing quarterbacks after handing over the Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams last winter for Goff and three drafts. Stafford led the Rams to victory in the Super Cup over the Cincinnati Bengals, in which quarterback is the new star Joe Barrow.
In recent months, veteran defenders Russell Wilson, Dashon Watson, Matt Ryan and Carson Wentz have changed teams, and the Denver Broncos (for Wilson) and the Cleveland Browns (for Watson) have exchanged several draft pickings in the first round.
The Lions, coming out in the 3-13-1 season, may be in the quarterback market with one of their two first-round picks, № 2 and 32, though Campbell said the team is looking for a “starter on day 1” at the top of the draft.
“It’s really what you’re trying to acquire, a guy you can feel can come, and he’ll be able to create a solid production for you,” Campbell said. “I mean, that’s the idea. We need to feel like this guy is coming, it may take a while, but you’d like to believe by the time you move on to your first game that this player is starting for you and will be able to produce And then you can grow a little bit here every year. “
Campbell said he came out of the Senior Bowl with auspicious impressions of top defenders Malik Willis and Sam Howell, who were part of the American team coached by the Lions.
Willis, one of the most athletic and strong quarterbacks in the draft, is a potential pick in the top 10, while Howell is projected to go late in Round 1 or early day 2. Pete Kenny Pickett, Matt Corral of Pete, Matt Coral and Ole Miss Desmond Reeder of Cincinnati could also advance to the first round.
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“We got a better exposure than anyone else who wasn’t right next to them, so I feel like we’re pretty good at both of them – and I like them both,” Campbell said. “Look, Malik, he’s explosive now. This guy is an explosive athlete and he will learn to play as a defender, but he is explosive. ”
Asked why the Lions would consider quarterback number 2 if they wanted a starting choice on the first day, Campbell replied: “Look, if you really love a guy, right? If you really love a guy and you know people are going to be on it, and the only way to get this guy is to pick them where they are, it’s worth thinking about, especially if you think you can develop these guys. ”
The attacking headquarters of “Lions” has a small track record in the development of young defenders, but a rich history of the game in this position.
First Year Coordinator Ben Johnson, 35, was a quarterback in North Carolina, defender coach Mark Brunel, 51, played 18 seasons in the NFL, and receptionist coach Antwain Randall El was a college defender.
Lions general manager Brad Holmes said last week that he believes Goff will also be open to beginner mentoring.
Campbell said he sees value in having a mobile subscriber who has “pocket mobility” who can not only play with his feet but also move into the field while moving.
He praised Goff for his game last season and said, “I’m glad we got him this year,” but declined to answer questions about his vision of the future in the position and the danger of waiting too long to find a long-term solution. .
“I think it’s more, man, like, now, what’s better for us now?” Said Campbell. “Now Brad needs to look at it a little further than I do, but right now, what gives us the best chance? And man, if – let’s build this list, in general.
“Now, the right guy is sitting on the right choice in that position, then let’s do it. But we like Goff and I like where he is. He finished strong. Keep adding figures and then, dude, every time it will is it next year? is it this year? is it two years later? and the right guy is sitting there, then you figure out how to get that guy. you figure out the way if it’s the right guy. “
Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.