Did Brad Holmes and the Lions get it right in the draft? Valenti approves of their seven-player haul, headlined by defensive tackle Tyleik Williams and mauling offensive linemen Tate Ratledge and Miles Frazier: "It’s simple: they drafted big people. They solidified both fronts."
"I know that they didn't get the edge many of you clamored for, I just don’t have anger anymore because ultimately it’s not my job on the line. Brad Holmes is either going to be right and have the receipts and bring us a Super Bowl and it all worked, or they’re going to get aced out again and people are going to start asking questions of why this guy refuses to make legitimate investments in edge rushers. Those are really the only two outcomes."
For Valenti, "Williams was one of a couple of names" he viewed as fits for the Lions at No. 28, and he says they got good value in Ratledge in the second round and Frazier in the fifth. While they're "not sexy picks," they're "brand names. When you hack it at LSU and you hack it at Georgia -- hey, if that’s confirmation bias by me, fine -- I like guys who have played on the big stage."
Valenti does have questions about trading two future third-rounders for wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa at No. 70, "and you’re like, did I need to do that for a receiver?"
"But, let me just remind you of one thing before people start to slander. Work with me now. These are the same people who found Cooper Kupp and Amon-Ra St. Brown, and I want to give them credit for something else. Found Josh Reynolds off the scrapheap, found Tim Patrick who had basically been dead for two years. The point I’m making is, you don’t find a lot of 6’4, 220-pound receivers who run a a 4.43 40 with elite RAS. So look, overall, I’m not bent out of shape."
As for Boise State edge rusher Ahmed Hassanein, the first ever NFL Draft pick from Egypt, "I’m a loser — I’ve watched him a number of times because Cash the Ticket loves Boise State football," says Valenti. "The kid didn’t even play high school football, didn’t even understand what football was. All this guy has done is work his way into being a high-level college football player. The kid plays with his hair on fire. I don’t know if he’ll make the team. I don’t know if he’ll turn into the next superstar or a cut. But I love the kid. The story’s awesome. And his ability, the way he plays, what am I going to say? I like their draft. I don’t love it. But I liked it."