The Lions Actually Drafted for Need and Nobody Knows What to Do About It
One of the more surprising developments from the Lions’ 2026 NFL Draft is that Brad Holmes actually knocked out some of their biggest immediate needs. Any time he gets the chance, Holmes reminds everyone that they don’t draft for need, they just want good football players. Chasing needs, he argues, is how you end up reaching for lesser talent just to fill a hole.
Yet draft weekend kicked off with the Lions addressing their three biggest needs in exact order: offensive tackle, defensive end, linebacker. Holmes can say whatever he wants about best player available, but when the best players available happen to fill your biggest holes? That’s not coincidence, that’s preparation.
But there’s only so much you can do in one draft weekend. The Lions only had two picks in the top-100, and expecting Holmes to find starting-level talent on Day 3 at every position of need would be unrealistic. Even for him.
So What’s Left on the Shopping List?
Sticking to short-term needs here, since the Lions probably aren’t adding anyone else who fills long-term holes. Positions like running back, tight end, and cornerback have questions next year, but they’re manageable for 2026.
The biggest remaining need? Nose tackle, and it’s not particularly close.
For a team that prioritizes stopping the run, it’s been pretty surprising to see their lack of moves at defensive tackle most of this offseason. They let Roy Lopez walk. DJ Reader appears about to sign elsewhere. In free agency, they failed to sign a single person to replace them. While they did spend a sixth and seventh-round pick on interior players, both are undersized pass rushers rather than run defenders.
Detroit will lean more on Alim McNeill and last year’s first-round pick Tyleik Williams to help bridge the gap, but they obviously need more depth at the position. It wouldn’t be surprising to see them add some veteran nose tackle who can just two-gap on early downs. They could reunite with Benito Jones. 12-year veteran DaQuan Jones is still available, as is former Bear Eddie Goldman.
Linebacker Depth Still Matters
Despite drafting Michigan linebacker Jimmy Rolder in the fourth round, linebacker remains a pretty significant need. The Lions only have six rostered linebackers (seven if you include reported UDFA signing Erick Hunter), and if they plan on playing three-linebacker sets, they should add competition for the final starting job opposite Jack Campbell and Derrick Barnes.
Holmes has built this roster methodically, piece by piece, addressing needs without panicking about them. That approach has worked. But nose tackle feels like the one spot where waiting might not be the best strategy.
Are we really going into another season hoping the defensive line can hold up, or is Holmes about to pull another rabbit out of his hat? Let me know what you think is the biggest remaining hole below.
