The Draft Class That Refuses to Cooperate
Three years. That’s supposedly how long it takes to properly judge an NFL draft class. Which means time is running out on Brad Holmes’ most frustrating selection of players in Detroit.
Look, we all know what Holmes accomplished in his first three years here. Eight Pro Bowlers or All-Pros. Ten players who already earned second contracts. The man was basically drafting with cheat codes.
And then came 2024.
The Struggling Sophomores
Terrion Arnold flashes in practice like he’s about to take over the league, then gameday arrives and the magic disappears. Ennis Rakestraw has managed just eight appearances while his body keeps breaking down. Giovanni Manu was supposed to develop into something useful and instead got buried so deep on the depth chart he needs a GPS to find daylight.
Sione Vaki shows up on special teams but can’t stay healthy. Mekhi Wingo has played 235 snaps in two years, which is basically invisible. Christian Mahogany looked promising as a rookie, then took a step backward in 2025 when he was supposed to be moving forward.
It’s been rough. Really rough.
Hope Springs Eternal (Because It Has To)
But here’s the thing about having two years left on rookie contracts. Anything can still happen.
Arnold is walking into 2026 as a presumed starter. Mahogany might be in a positional battle, but he’s likely entering the offseason program with the first team. If those two guys alone figure it out over the next couple years, suddenly this entire draft class looks different.
The problem? Some of these picks look like they’re running out of runway.
Manu is probably never starting now that Detroit has invested first-round capital at both tackle spots. Wingo couldn’t get on the field and now the defensive tackle room has more youth and competition. And nobody seems to know what Vaki’s role is supposed to be on offense.
The Verdict Isn’t Written Yet
Holmes has earned the benefit of the doubt here. When you’ve been that good at finding talent for three straight years, you get some patience when a class struggles out of the gate.
But damn if this group isn’t testing that patience.
Two more years to prove they belong. Two more years to show that Holmes’ hot streak wasn’t just luck. Two more years to turn from question marks into answers.
In Detroit, we know better than anyone that two years can feel like forever when you’re waiting for something good to happen.
Think this draft class can still turn it around or are we looking at Holmes’ first real miss? Let me know in the comments below.
