Another Seventh-Round Flyer or the Next Hidden Gem?
Brad Holmes wrapped up his draft by taking another swing at the defensive line, selecting Tennessee EDGE Tyre West with the 222nd overall pick. And yes, I know what you’re thinking. Another defensive lineman? In the seventh round? After we already grabbed an EDGE earlier?
Here’s the thing though. This isn’t just throwing darts at a board.
What We’re Getting
West is projected to slide inside to defensive tackle in the NFL, which immediately makes things interesting in Allen Park. If the Lions see him strictly as a DT, he’s walking into a crowded room fighting for that fourth spot. But if he can actually play both inside and outside like they’re hoping, we might be looking at Levi Onwuzurike’s eventual replacement for 2027.
The kid put in work at Tennessee, playing in 48 games over four years with five starts. His best season was 2025, finishing with 65 tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, two forced fumbles, and a pass deflection. Those aren’t earth-shattering numbers, but for a guy who barely started? Not terrible.
The Good and The Concerning
West’s versatility is exactly what this coaching staff loves. Players who can confuse offenses by lining up in different spots? That’s Dan Campbell football right there. His pass-rushing ability is what stands out most, with PFF crediting him with 61 career pressures and a 71.2 pass rush grade.
But here’s where it gets dicey. The guy has a missed tackle percentage of 22.9 percent in his career. Sure, his worst tackling years were back in 2022 and 2023, but that’s still a glaring weakness that’ll get you cut in the NFL. Add in his lack of starting experience, and you’ve got an uphill battle just to make the roster.
The Reality Check
Look, this is a fine way to close out a draft. Holmes got more bodies for the defensive line and took a shot at finding depth that could turn into something more. West’s ability to potentially play two positions gives him a better chance than most seventh-rounders.
The defense needed help, especially with generating consistent pressure. We’ve got solid run defenders, but when you’re struggling to get after the quarterback, you keep swinging until something connects.
Grade: C+
Is this just another seventh-round lottery ticket or did Holmes find another diamond in the rough? Sound off in the comments below.
I like the versatility angle here. Holmes and Campbell have shown they know how to get value in these late rounds, and a guy who can play both inside and outside gives them options even if he doesn’t pan out as a starter. The tackling concerns are real but that’s fixable with better angles and film study in an NFL program.
22.9% missed tackle rate is pretty rough honestly. I get that it was worse earlier in his college career, but that’s still something that jumps out when you’re trying to make an NFL roster as a late round pick. Hope I’m wrong but this feels like the kind of lottery ticket that doesn’t hit.
You know what I like about what Holmes and Campbell are doing? They’re not giving up on these depth picks like some of the old regimes used to do. Back in the day we’d just grab bodies and hope, but now there’s actually a plan for development and position flexibility. West might end up being nothing, but at least someone’s got a plan for him.
C+ seems right to me. It’s not a bad move, just one where you’re hoping lightning strikes twice. If he can actually stick and develop into something useful for us down the line that’s huge, but yeah the missed tackles and lack of starting reps make it a real reach even for round 7.