After a disappointing 2025 season, the Detroit Lions have trimmed some offseason fat in an effort to get back to previous form. No rookie minicamp, no joint practices during the preseason, a schedule release video that stood out for its lack of pizzazz.
Head coach Dan Campbell spoke to the media before Day 3 of OTAs on Friday. His calling this stage of offseason work a "pajama party" is not new, but his general demeanor was different. The back to business approach is clear, and Campbell is the most out-front face of it.
As the Lions' front office tries to orchestrate contract extensions for three more members of their star-studded 2023 draft class in the coming months, the 2024 draft class is not in line to be a factor on that front a year from now.
No one in that draft class is in line to be among the highest paid players at their position, and it would take a dramatic shift in most cases to even line them up for a second contract in Detroit.
Dan Campbell avoid offering any insight on two potential draft busts
During that press conference, John Maakaron of Lions on SI asked Campbell what gives him confidence about how that the 2024 draft class is developing, with initial mention of the top two picks in that class--cornerbacks Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw Jr.
Campbell answered by touting the entire cornerback room, not just Arnold and Rakestraw. Maybe he misunderstood the intent of the question, right after a question about Arnold's off the field situation this offseason. But it's easy to think Maakaron wanted some insight, if Campbell had any to offer, about the entire 2024 draft class.
In the fourth round of the 2024 draft, the Lions made not one but two trades up in quick succession to get someone they coveted.
Those two picks, offensive tackle Giovanni Manu and running back Sione Vaki, have combined to play 96 offensive snaps over two seasons. Even if Manu hadn't been sidelined by a knee injury for a big chunk of last season, he was not in line to play much outside of the spot start he got before being injured. He was a project coming in out of the University of British Columbia, and today he is still that same project with a cloudy future on the Lions' roster.
Vaki has been a core special teamer for the Lions, and he may be in line for a relatively bigger offensive role as the RB3 this season. That there isn't more to say about him says it all.
READ MORE: Lions have to laugh as Vikings QBs read the same situation drastically different
Getting so little from two fourth-round picks two years in lands as not much of a concern overall. But when you tapped into 2025 draft capital to make each of the trades up for Manu and Vaki, including what would've been a top-100 overall pick in the move up for Manu, getting next to nil from them stands out more than it usually would.
And right now, there are no outward signs that's going to change at all this season.
Campbell had an invitation to say something (positive or otherwise) about Manu, Vaki, or any other member of the 2024 draft class, named or not named Arnold or Rakestraw, and he didn't take it. Even with an atypical press conference demeanor, "MC/DC" can't hide how he feels for very long.
In terms of a 2024 draft class that has not yet delivered, and two members who had notable future draft capital investments made to get them early on Day 3, Campbell's silence was sneakily deafening.
Add us as a preferred source on Google