Defense Finally Getting the Attention It Deserves
The Lions defense went from seventh-best scoring unit to 22nd in 2025. That’s not a slide, that’s a crater. So when Detroit used five of their seven draft picks on the defensive side of the ball, it wasn’t some grand strategic revelation. It was acknowledging reality.
But here’s where it gets interesting. The specific players they targeted might tell us something about how the coaching staff plans to tweak this defense going forward.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
Detroit played more base defense than anyone in 2025. Three linebacker sets were their bread and butter. Yet right now, they’ve got eight linebackers on the roster compared to 16 defensive backs. Even accounting for recent signings and UDFA pickup Erick Hunter, that ratio suggests something.
Multiple guys in the secondary can play the slot. The math starts to make sense when you consider they might be planning to run more nickel packages in 2026.
Pass Rush Over Run Stuffing
Look at the defensive line additions. These aren’t run stuffers. They bring pass rush juice. And Detroit still hasn’t replaced DJ Reader or Roy Lopez with a true nose tackle. That feels intentional.
Maybe the Lions quietly admitted they got too obsessed with stopping the run while opposing quarterbacks picked them apart. Maybe they’re tilting the scales back toward getting after the passer.
Could They Go Full 3-4?
Here’s where things gets wild. No true nose tackle, but movable pieces on the interior line. Aidan Hutchinson, DJ Wonnum, and rookie Derrick Moore all comfortable playing stand-up edge. You’ve got the personnel for a 3-4 base that would only require two off-ball linebackers.
Is that too drastic? Maybe. But Brad Holmes has never been afraid to make bold moves when the situation demands it.
This Draft Felt Different
Something about this Holmes draft class felt different from his previous work. The focus was clear, the needs were obvious, and the execution was surgical. Five defensive picks wasn’t desperation. It was acknowledgment that this side of the ball needed serious help.
The questions remain: Can Jimmy Rolder play SAM instead of WILL? Is Derrick Moore more than a one-trick pony? Which UDFA has the best shot to make the roster? And why didn’t Jack Campbell get his fifth-year option picked up?
The coaching staff has promised tweaks to fit the talent. The draft suggests those tweaks might be bigger than expected. In a league where offense gets all the headlines, Detroit might be about to remind everyone that defense still wins championships.
Think this defensive overhaul is exactly what Detroit needs or are we reading too much into draft picks? Let me know what you’re seeing below.
I’m loving where Holmes is taking this. The fact that they’re being surgical about these picks instead of just throwing bodies at the problem tells me they actually have a plan. Those edge rushers they grabbed can line up anywhere and that flexibility is going to make life hell for opposing offenses next year.
I want to believe this is the shift we need but I’ve been burned before when the Lions get cute with scheme changes. Hopefully Campbell and the staff can actually implement this instead of it just looking good on paper. The talent is there but execution is what matters.
This reminds me of when teams actually had to rebuild their defense the right way instead of just hoping for quick fixes. Holmes isn’t trying to patch holes, he’s building something real. That’s the kind of patient approach this franchise needed after so many years of band aid solutions.