The draft is done. The picks are in. And once again, Brad Holmes has us doing that thing where we dare to believe this could actually be different.
The Lions used seven picks to address needs across the roster, starting with Blake Miller, the right tackle from Clemson they grabbed at pick 17. Because if there’s one thing this franchise has learned the hard way, it’s that you can never have too much protection up front. Smart move, assuming Miller can actually block NFL pass rushers and not just look good doing it.
The Full Haul
Holmes didn’t stop there. He traded up in the second round to snag Derrick Moore, an edge rusher from Michigan with what they’re calling “high upside.” Translation: he’s raw but could be dangerous if developed properly. And yes, I know what you’re thinking – we’ve heard that song before.
The Day 3 picks tell the story of a team trying to build depth without getting cute. Jimmy Rolder, linebacker from Michigan at pick 118. Keith Abney, corner from Arizona State at pick 157. Kendrick Law, slot receiver from Kentucky at pick 168. Then they closed it out with a couple defensive linemen: Skyler Gill-Howard from Texas A&M at pick 205 and Tyre West from Tennessee at pick 222.
Seven Picks, Seven Questions
On paper, it looks solid. They hit the trenches early, added pass rush help, and sprinkled in some skill position depth. The kind of draft that makes sense when you squint at it just right.
But here’s the thing about drafts – they don’t play on paper. They play at Ford Field, in front of fans who have watched this organization turn sure-thing prospects into cautionary tales more times than we care to remember.
Still, there’s something different about this regime. Holmes has shown he can evaluate talent, and this class addresses real needs without reaching for flashy names. The betting markets seem to believe too, with the Lions sitting at +1800 for the Super Bowl and +150 favorites to win the NFC North.
Those are the kind of odds that would have seemed like fantasy just a few years ago. Now they feel almost reasonable, which might be the most dangerous feeling of all for a Lions fan.
So what’s the verdict on this 2026 draft class? Did Holmes nail it again, or are we setting ourselves up for another round of “what could have been” conversations come December? Drop your grade in the comments and tell us which pick has you most excited or most worried.
Okay I’m trying really hard not to get too excited but Holmes is building this the right way. Blake Miller in the first round tells me we’re serious about protecting our QB and that matters more than anything else. I like the vibe of this draft.
Look, it looks good on paper like the article says, but I’ve seen good draft classes disappear into thin air before. I’m not grading anything until these guys actually step on the field in real games. That’s when we find out if Brad really knows what he’s doing or not.
You know what I appreciate about this approach? They’re not trying to be cute or flashy. Back in my day we’d see way too many reach picks on name recognition instead of actual need. This feels like someone finally learned the lesson about building a team the boring way.
The fact that we’re even having conversations about winning the NFC North instead of just hoping to be competitive is wild to me. Derrick Moore getting that pass rush help is exactly what we needed. I think this class is gonna surprise people.