Blake Miller Was Worth Trading Up For, But Brad Holmes Played It Smart
The offensive tackle run started early and it started fast. Through eight picks, not a single tackle came off the board. Then boom. Spencer Fano to Cleveland at nine. Francis Mauigoa to the Giants at ten. Kadyn Proctor to Miami at twelve.
And somewhere in Allen Park, Brad Holmes was getting antsy.
The Lions had their guy circled, and his name was Blake Miller. The Clemson tackle they eventually nabbed at seventeen was apparently worth trading up for, and Holmes admits they explored it hard.
“We did, yeah,” Holmes said about trade up talks. “We talked to teams up—way up—and we just talked about it and tried to see if we can be at peace with what the capital is that you’d have to expend. But we definitely explored strongly about trading up.”
The Rams Made Holmes’ Decision Easy
Sometimes the football gods smile on Detroit. Not often, mind you, but sometimes. When the Rams shocked everyone by taking quarterback Ty Simpson at thirteen, Holmes knew Miller was falling into their lap.
“Right after LA took the quarterback, I felt pretty good that we might be able to just get Blake,” Holmes said.
You have to love the honesty there. Holmes had been sweating it, knowing full well that everyone and their mother knew Detroit needed tackle help. He felt like they had “this big tackle target on our backs,” which, let’s be real, they absolutely did.
Playing Chess While Everyone Else Played Checkers
The smart money was on teams trying to jump Detroit. Hell, there were rumors all week about clubs calling around to trade ahead of the Lions. Holmes knew it too.
“So if a team behind us was in the tackle market then they might want to jump us as well,” Holmes explained. “So, we definitely explored a trade up, but right about Pick fourteen I felt pretty good that we would be able to keep our assets and still land Blake.”
Patience paid off. The Lions got their tackle and kept their draft capital. They still have their second-rounder at fiftieth overall, plus seven Day Three picks to work with.
For a franchise that has historically overthought these moments, this feels refreshingly calm. Holmes wanted Miller, explored his options, then trusted the board to fall his way. And it did.
Was Holmes right to play it patient, or should the Lions have just sent the picks and guaranteed their guy? Let me know in the comments.
This is exactly what I wanna see from our front office. Holmes stayed patient, didn’t panic, and it worked out perfectly. Getting Miller without giving up a ton of assets is a huge W in my book.
I mean yeah it worked this time but come on, we were sweating bullets hoping teams didn’t jump us. What if the Rams don’t take that QB and someone else grabs Miller? Then we’re kicking ourselves for not just going up and securing our guy.
You know this used to be the kind of thing that would drive me absolutely nuts with this team, sitting back and hoping instead of making a move. But honestly I’m glad to see Holmes showing some restraint and letting things fall into place instead of overpaying for a guy.