The Lions Already Made Their Move
The Brad Holmes acquisition period is officially closed. Done. Finished. And yes, I know what you’re thinking because I see it in every Facebook group and Twitter thread: what about Jadeveon Clowney? What about Joey Bosa? Cameron Jordan? Von Miller? Hell, even Haason Reddick is still sitting out there like a discount rack at Meijer after Christmas.
Here’s the thing. It doesn’t make sense for Detroit to chase any of these names. Not because they wouldn’t help, but because Holmes already has a plan in place.
The Edge Room Looks Fine, Actually
Right now the Lions have nine edge rushers on the roster. Nine. That’s one more than they took into training camp last year, and nobody was panicking about depth then.
Your starters are Aidan Hutchinson and Derrick Moore. Your rotation includes D.J. Wonnum and Ahmed Hassanein. Behind them you’ve got Payton Turner, Tyler Lacy, and a handful of developmental pieces including Tyre West.
Is it elite top to bottom? No. But it’s functional, it’s young, and it fits what Dan Campbell wants to do. Remember, this is the same front office that found Josh Paschal in the second round and turned Marcus Davenport into a contributor before his injury. They know how to develop pass rushers.
The Lions have three open roster spots and they’re going to use them wisely. Tryouts during mandatory minicamp. UFL pickups. Cut candidates from other teams. That’s the Holmes way and it has worked pretty damn well so far.
The Real Problem Is Inside
Want to know where the Lions actually need help? Look at the interior of that defensive line. Alim McNeill and Tyleik Williams are solid. Levi Onwuzurike is still figuring it out. After that you’ve got Skyler Gill-Howard and a bunch of guys fighting for practice squad spots.
That doesn’t feel safe enough. Not for a team with playoff expectations. Detroit might not have a true nose tackle on the roster right now, and that matters when you’re facing teams that want to run the ball down your throat in December.
Even bringing back Benito Jones would make more sense than chasing an aging edge rusher with a big contract and bigger expectations.
Trust the Process
Look, I get it. Seeing big names on the market makes you want to make a move. It’s human nature, especially when you’ve been conditioned by decades of Lions teams that never seemed to have enough talent.
But this isn’t the Matt Millen era. Holmes doesn’t make panic moves in May just because a name becomes available. He builds with purpose, he values chemistry, and he trusts his evaluation process.
The edge rush will be fine. Moore was picked for a reason. Hutchinson is already a Pro Bowler. Wonnum has NFL experience and something to prove.
Sometimes the best move is the one you don’t make.
Are you buying Holmes’ approach to the edge rush or do you think we’re one injury away from trouble? Let me know in the comments below.
This is what I’ve been saying in the group chats. Holmes doesn’t panic and throw money at names just because they’re available. The edge room is young and hungry and that’s exactly what Campbell wants building. Let it breathe.
I hear you but I’m not totally convinced on the interior line situation yet. That’s where I get nervous. We’ve got solid starters but the depth behind McNeill and Williams makes me sweat a little. I’m willing to see how it plays out though, Holmes has earned that trust from me.
Man, the difference between now and the bad years is night and day. Back then the front office would make all these desperate moves that blew up in their face. What Holmes is doing, building methodically and not getting caught up in the noise, that’s how you actually win. I’m excited about where this is headed.