Brad Holmes and the Art of Draft Day Chaos
If there’s anything we’ve learned from five years of drafts under Brad Holmes, it’s to expect the unexpected. Hell, it’s practically his calling card at this point. Each year, Holmes makes a move or two that catches analysts and fans completely off guard.
When it works, Holmes gets celebrated as some draft genius. When it doesn’t, he gets labeled as an egocentric guy who “acts like the smartest guy in the room.” Never mind that he’s literally paid to be the smartest guy in the room.
The 2026 NFL Draft is Thursday night, and with Lions draft rumors at an all-time low, the unpredictability of what Detroit will do this weekend is astronomical. We’re flying blind here, people.
The Bold Prediction That Makes Too Much Sense
Here’s something that could absolutely happen: the Lions go without drafting an offensive tackle. At all.
Look, I personally believe that at 17 overall, the need should match up pretty well with the available talent. But there’s smoke that a run of offensive linemen could happen right around Detroit’s pick. Teams know they may need to jump the Lions to get the tackle they want, which could leave Detroit sitting there watching their preferred guy walk away.
Now, Holmes could get aggressive and trade up to ensure they get their guy. But he’s also said he won’t get desperate when it comes to filling a need. So I could see Holmes just sitting there, waiting for the board to come to him, and selecting the best player available.
That could be an edge defender, cornerback, or maybe even a safety. And yes, I know what you’re thinking – the Lions need tackle help.
Why This Actually Makes Sense
While the Lions would still probably be wise to consider adding some tackle depth beyond the first round, the chance of landing a starting talent drops off significantly. That makes other positions a more valuable selection for Pick 50 and beyond.
This is vintage Holmes behavior. Take the best player, trust your evaluation, and figure out the rest later. It’s worked before, and it’s driven us all crazy before too.
The unpredictability is both maddening and oddly comforting at this point. At least we know we’ll be surprised.
Think Holmes will shock us again or play it safe this time? Drop your bold predictions below and let’s see who’s brave enough to go on record.
