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No one inside the Detroit Lions’ organization is surprised by Brian Branch’s ascension

On Thursday, the Detroit Lions will open the season against the Kansas City Chiefs on the biggest spotlight there is for Week 1 of the season. The Lions will undoubtedly feature four rookies prominently in that game: first-round picks Jahmyr Gibbs and Jack Campbell, as well as second-round picks Sam LaPorta and Brian Branch.

For the first three, their immediate contributions were expected from the minute they were drafted. Gibbs and Campbell were high talents whose skillsets translate nicely to the next level, while LaPorta filled a big T.J. Hockenson-sized hole at tight end.