With their final two picks in the NFL Draft, the Lions took a pair of proven performers from Georgia: safety Dan Jackson and wide receiver Dominic Lovett.
Jackson, 24, spent six years at Georgia, working his way up from the scout team to a starter. He was third on the team in tackles last season, with two picks and two sacks. He's aggressive against the run and reliable in coverage.
"The three main things that I’ve always prided myself on are, I’m fast, I’m physical and I’m tough -- emphasis on that last one," Jackson said. "Can’t wait to be a part of the Lions culture that they’ve built."
Jackson doesn't have high-caliber athleticism, which limits his ceiling in the NFL. But he has the instincts and physicality to carve out a role with the Lions on special teams, and as a backup option to Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch.
"We’ve always had a liking for Dan Jackson," said Brad Holmes. "A heady safety. He’s gotten his hands on his football. And a lot of it is above the neck, but he’s faster than what a lot of people might think."
Lovett was a highly productive slot receiver at Georgia, catching 50-plus passes each of the last three seasons. He caught 59 for 607 yards and six touchdowns last year. His route-running is "smooth as churned butter," per NFL.com's Lance Zierlein.
"He's another one of those guys, I’ve been a fan of his for a long time. We all have," said Holmes. "One thing about him, yes, he has speed, he can do a lot of stuff from the slot, but he’ll be a really good special teams player, so we’re fired up to get him."
The Lions drafted three players from Georgia this year, including guard Tate Ratledge in the second round. Having spent a lot of time around Kerby Smart's program, Holmes said their practices are "unlike anything else that I’ve seen live" in college.
"Saban at Alabama was very similar, but the intensity, the physicality, the detail, the tempo, the energy, the whole thing. When you can go through that kind of regimen and you practice like that, you know that they’re ready," said Holmes.