NFC North Draft Report Card: Did Holmes Just Outplay Everyone Again?
The draft is over, the grades are in, and somehow the Lions walked away with the best consensus scores in the NFC North despite picking late in the first round. That sound you hear is Brad Holmes quietly building another solid foundation while everyone else gets cute with their picks.
Let’s be honest about where we stand. The Lions are hoping to rebound from falling to last place in the division in 2025. The Bears are defending division champs under Ben Johnson, the Packers added Micah Parsons before his ACL injury, and the Vikings brought in Kyler Murray at quarterback.
But here’s the thing about Holmes. The man doesn’t panic, and he sure as hell doesn’t draft for headlines.
Lions: Building the Right Way
Blake Miller in the first round was the move. Yeah, it felt like a reach in the moment, but with how the board fell, Holmes grabbed his guy before someone else did. That’s what you do when you need to complete your starting offensive line. Miller steps in immediately and anchors the line.
Trading up for Derrick Moore was exactly what Lions fans have been screaming for. Finally, a pass rusher in the second round. Holmes gave up a fourth rounder (128) to move from 50 to 44, and honestly, good. Sometimes you pay the price to get your guy rather than hoping he falls to you.
The Day 3 picks show the methodical approach we’ve come to expect. Jimmy Rolder at linebacker, Keith Abney II at corner, Kendrick Law at receiver after trading up again. Holmes addressed the trenches early, then filled out the roster with players who could actually contribute.
Seven picks focused heavily on defense, which was the obvious need. Better pass rush should help the secondary. A younger, more athletic offensive line should get us back to the 2023 and 2024 offensive efficiency.
Bears: Overthinking Things
Chicago started strong with safety Dillon Thieneman, who should start immediately after they lost both safeties Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker in free agency. Center Logan Jones made sense too after Drew Dalman’s sudden retirement.
But then they got weird. Another tight end when they already have Cole Kmet and Colston Loveland? Sam Roush might be talented, but that’s a luxury pick when you have actual holes to fill. At least Zavion Thomas at receiver addressed losing DJ Moore.
The Day 3 picks felt like they were just collecting bodies. Not bad players necessarily, but nothing that jumped off the page as difference makers.
Packers: Making Do Without a First
Green Bay traded away their 2026 first rounder for Parsons, so they started on Day 2. Brandon Cisse at corner and Chris McClellan at defensive tackle could both start, which is solid value in those spots.
The rest was decent depth building. Dani Dennis-Sutton has upside, Jager Burton brings versatility, Domani Jackson could develop into a starter. But trading up for kicker Trey Smack? Come on, Green Bay. We’ve seen how that movie ends.
Vikings: Quantity Over Quality
Nine picks, the most in the division, but not much that screams impact player. Caleb Banks at defensive tackle fills a need after losing Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, but he’s coming off a broken foot suffered after three games in 2025 and was re-injured at the 2026 NFL Combine.
Trading away Jonathan Greenard to the Philadelphia Eagles for two third rounders, then using one of those picks on Jake Golday? The rest felt like they were just trying to fill roster spots with bodies.
Taking safety Jakobe Thomas in the third round seemed late for a glaring need. With nine picks, they should find some contributors, but I don’t see any game changers in this class.
The Verdict
Holmes earned the best draft grades in the division despite the Lions finishing 16th in the NFL according to consensus rankings, and honestly, that tracks. While everyone else was making questionable picks or reaching for needs, he systematically addressed the offensive line and pass rush, then filled out the roster with players who actually fit what they do.
The Bears had a questionable draft, getting cute when they should have been getting better. The Packers did fine without a first rounder. The Vikings collected a lot of picks but not much impact.
Look, the Lions are hoping to rebound from last place. But watching Holmes work another draft, you get the feeling he’s building toward something again. The man just doesn’t miss when it comes to identifying talent and building a roster the right way.
Did Holmes just quietly win another offseason while everyone else made noise? Drop your take below and tell us which NFC North team really improved the most.
