Brad Holmes Bounces Back
Well, that’s a wrap on another draft weekend in Allen Park. The Lions made their picks, Brad Holmes did his thing, and now we get to play the fun game of pretending we know how this will all shake out. After what felt like a head-scratching 2025 draft where the team seemed to ignore glaring needs, this one felt different. More focused. More like the Holmes we thought we knew.
Let’s break down what went down.
Round 1: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
The Lions went out and got their guy at right tackle with Miller. This pick makes complete sense. He started 54 consecutive games at Clemson and is just a football guy to the core. A Dan Campbell guy all the way.
Miller is a strong pass blocker who allowed 14 pressures and two sacks in 2025. He can help keep Jared Goff clean, which, let’s be honest, should be priority number one around here. The only real knock is that he needs to improve at run blocking. It’s not horrible, but it needs work.
Grade: A-
Round 2: Derrick Moore, Edge, Michigan
This one always made sense. Moore brings the ability to set the edge and get home to the quarterback. He serves both the Lions and their fans because everyone gets what they want here. Need? Check. Talent? Check. Local connection that makes everyone feel good? Double check.
Grade: A
Round 4: Jimmy Rolder, LB, Michigan
Here’s where things get interesting. Rolder fits what the Lions want to do, but there was a better linebacker available in Pittsburgh’s Kyle Louis. Detroit chose not to go that route. There are some concerns with Rolder’s lack of starting experience and a bit of an injury history that make this feel like a reach.
Grade: C+
Round 4: Keith Abney II, CB, Arizona State
This might be the steal of the entire draft. Abney was supposed to be a second-round pick and fell all the way to pick 157. Nobody expected him to drop this far, and the Lions capitalized. Abney can come in and start in that slot corner spot in 2026 and be a high-level player for them.
Grade: A
Round 5: Kendrick Law, WR, Kentucky
The Lions are thinking about the future here. Law can be their next Kalif Raymond, a gadget player who brings value on special teams. The big question is whether they needed it right now with Greg Dortch and Dominic Lovett already on the roster. Training camp will give us that answer, but until then, it feels like a bit of a reach.
Grade: C
Round 6: Skyler Gill-Howard, DT, Texas Tech
A flyer on a pass-rushing defensive tackle with some versatility. He has experience playing linebacker and as an edge rusher. He’s coming off a season-ending ankle injury that required surgery, so there’s some risk. But sixth-round risk isn’t bad risk.
Grade: B-
Round 7: Tyre West, Edge, Tennessee
One more edge rusher to close things out. West has versatility along the defensive line and could be a solid rotational guy. The question is whether he becomes anything more than that.
Grade: C+
Final Verdict
This draft felt like a return to form for Holmes after what felt like a weird 2025 draft where the Lions almost completely ignored need outside of a couple picks. This time around, they were able to merge best player available with actual needs and walked out with multiple starters and some guys who could turn into dependable rotation players.
Hard to say anything bad about this one. The Lions got better, addressed needs, and found some value in unexpected places. After years of draft disasters that still haunt our dreams, that’s about all we can ask for.
Overall Grade: A-
So what do you think? Is Holmes back to his old magic or are we just setting ourselves up for disappointment again? Drop your take below.
