By Sunday 
How a long-forgotten conversation turned a controversial draft pick into a Detroit Lions masterstroke.
The Draft Day Shock
Let’s rewind to the 2023 NFL Draft. With the 12th overall pick, the Detroit Lions made jaws drop by selecting Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs. In an era when most GMs treat drafting a running back that high like touching a hot stove, Brad Holmes made it look like he didn’t even flinch.
Fans were split. Analysts were skeptical. Message boards lit up with “why not a corner?” and “RBs aren’t worth it!” takes. But Holmes had a reason—a really good one. And it dated back over twenty years.
The Marshall Faulk Moment
In 2003, Brad Holmes wasn’t yet running war rooms. He was a PR intern for the St. Louis Rams, soaking in the game however he could. During training camp, he landed an interview with future Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk, who had already redefined what it meant to be a modern NFL running back.
Faulk gave Holmes a gem of wisdom that stuck:
“You can’t have a short-yardage back and a third-down back and a scat back and a goal-line back. You’ve got to be able to do it all, man.”
Holmes never forgot it.
Flash-Forward: Gibbs on Tape
Two decades later, Holmes found himself watching Jahmyr Gibbs light it up on Alabama film—catching passes, slicing through defenses, showing breakaway speed, and more importantly… versatility.
“This guy’s a weapon and can just do it all,” Holmes said.
“That conversation I had with Marshall Faulk just started coming back to me.”
And just like that, the draft pick that seemed like a reach to others became a vision realized for Holmes.
Ahead of the Curve
NFL teams are chasing versatility more than ever. With salary caps tightening and roster depth constantly in flux, having a player who can wear multiple hats is no longer a luxury—it’s a requirement. Gibbs, with 1,400+ rushing yards and 20 total touchdowns in 2024, proved he was exactly what Faulk described two decades earlier.
Holmes ignored the noise and followed his own instincts:
“It’s hard to go against the grain… But I’ve always been told to scout with my own eyes.”
And it paid off.
The Big Picture
This wasn’t just a good pick—it was the kind of move that could define a GM’s legacy. Jahmyr Gibbs has already become a core part of a rising Detroit squad, pairing with David Montgomery to form a fearsome backfield.
But behind the stat lines and touchdowns is a reminder: sometimes the smartest decisions don’t come from analytics spreadsheets—they come from a conversation in the corner of a locker room two decades ago.
Keywords: Jahmyr Gibbs, Brad Holmes