The draft is done and the undrafted free agent frenzy has mostly wrapped up, but Brad Holmes isn’t finished building this roster. The Lions are sitting at 85 players right now and need to get to 90 before training camp opens. That means more moves are coming.
And honestly, that’s fine by me. Holmes has earned the right to squeeze every bit of value out of the market, and there are still some interesting names floating around out there. Here are four guys who could make sense in Allen Park.
LB Germaine Pratt
Jimmy Rolder was a solid fourth-round pick, and yeah, I think he can win that Will linebacker spot. But right now he’s basically competing against Malcolm Rodriguez, and that’s not exactly murderer’s row.
Pratt would give the Lions a veteran option with actual starting experience at Will linebacker. Even if he only holds down the job for half the season while Rolder gets ready, it’s worth the investment. Competition makes everyone better.
LB Jahlani Tavai
Well, well, well. Look who’s still available. The former Lions second-round pick who didn’t work out in Detroit but then went to the Patriots and started there for years.
A Tavai reunion would be peak Lions, wouldn’t it? He’d compete for that same Will linebacker spot, potentially starting while Rolder develops. At minimum, he’d provide solid competition during training camp. And yes, I know what you’re thinking, but this isn’t the same franchise that drafted him. Holmes knows how to evaluate talent that other people have developed.
Edge A.J. Epenesa
Here’s where it gets interesting. Epenesa actually signed with Cleveland during free agency, then failed his physical and the deal fell through. That’s obviously concerning, but it’s also an opportunity.
The Lions have Derrick Moore as their starter and D.J. Wonnum in the rotation, but depth never hurt anybody. The play here is simple: bring Epenesa in for a physical and see if he can pass it. If he can, suddenly the defensive line gets even deeper. If he can’t, you’re out nothing but a medical exam.
Edge Patrick Payton
Payton is actually an undrafted free agent from this past weekend’s draft, and I’m honestly surprised he hasn’t been scooped up yet. This is one of those guys who has all the tools but hasn’t put it together yet.
If he ever does figure it out, he could be a useful piece. At worst, you’re inviting him to training camp to see what he can do. That’s the kind of low-risk, high-reward move that makes sense when you’re filling out the back of the roster.
Think Holmes should take a flyer on any of these guys, or are you ready to roll with what we’ve got? Drop your take below.
I’m all in on the Tavai reunion move honestly. Yeah it didn’t work out before but Holmes clearly has a different eye for talent and building depth. Getting a vet in there to push Rolder while he develops just makes sense and shows we’re not cutting corners.
I get what you’re saying about the depth moves but I gotta see it work first before I get too hyped about any of these guys. Epenesa failing a physical in Cleveland is a red flag I can’t just ignore, even if the upside is there.
You know what I like about this approach? Holmes isn’t panicking and just throwing bodies at the wall like we used to do. He’s being surgical about it and looking for value. That’s the kind of patient, smart building I haven’t seen from our FO in a long time and it feels different.