The 4 teams left in the NFL playoffs aren't afraid to invest at less-coveted positions
The four remaining teams in the NFL playoffs may have a lesson to offer
In a season full of satisfying moments for Detroit Lions fans, an amusing one occurred in mid-December, when coach Dan Campbell had a chance to gloat a bit about the team's most recent draft.
The players in question were running back Jahmyr Gibbs and tight end Sam LaPorta, both of whom became key contributors after the Lions took them in the first and second rounds.
“I’m just going to bring it back to (general manager) Brad Holmes, it’s a hell of a job by him, once again,” Campbell said. "Took a lot of criticism for those two picks, but they look like they’re OK, so I’m glad we got them.”
The criticism the Lions received was less about the players' talent than their positions, particularly in the case of Gibbs, who went 12th overall. But perhaps there's a lesson to be learned from Detroit's approach — and from the other three teams remaining in the NFL playoffs. The Lions, Ravens, 49ers and Chiefs have all reached this point after making significant investments at positions that aren't always prioritized around the league.
