Brad Holmes Says He’s Happy With Borom and Wonnum. Sure, Brad. Sure.
Brad Holmes held his pre-draft press conference on Monday, and like every NFL general manager this time of year, his primary job was simple: say absolutely nothing while pretending to say something. Mission accomplished, mostly.
For about 15 minutes at Allen Park, Holmes danced around questions with the grace of someone who has done this before. He kept his cards close, his answers vague, and his intentions buried deeper than Jimmy Hoffa. Standard operating procedure for a GM who doesn’t want to tip his hand a week before the draft.
But then came the money quote. The one that has Lions fans either nodding in agreement or laughing out loud, depending on how much faith you have in free agency Band-Aids.
The Quote That Started It All
When asked about the team’s confidence in newly signed offensive tackle Larry Borom and pass rusher Larry Wonnum, Holmes didn’t just express faith. He went full sales pitch.
“I thought Borom put out good tape last year. I don’t foresee that–I don’t have a crystal ball, but from the last thing I saw on tape, he’s got starter-level ability, and same as Wonnum. You’re talking about guys that have been starters in the NFL, but just kind of look at where the trend is going, where the arrow’s going. They’re still young. We feel good about both of them, so we don’t feel like we have to supplement them.”
That last part is the kicker. “We don’t feel like we have to supplement them.” Translation: we’re good at right tackle and defensive end, folks. Nothing to see here.
The question is simple: Do you believe him?
Why This Smells Like GM Speak 101
Let me be clear about something. I don’t believe Holmes for a second, and neither should you.
Look, this isn’t about Holmes being dishonest in some malicious way. This is about him being a competent general manager who understands the game within the game. You think he’s going to sit there and tell the media he has zero confidence in two players he just signed? You think he’s going to announce to the world exactly which positions he’s desperate to upgrade?
Come on. We’re talking about Brad Holmes here, not some rookie GM stumbling through his first press conference.
The man has shown us who he is over the past few years. He’s methodical. He’s strategic. And yes, he’s willing to trade up when he sees something he wants. Remember when he moved up for Jameson Williams? How about when he snagged Brian Branch in the second round? This is not a GM who settles for “good enough” when he can get better.
The Reality Check Nobody Wants to Hear
Here’s what we know about Borom and Wonnum without the rose-colored glasses. Borom has been a backup for most of his NFL career. Wonnum has shown flashes but hasn’t exactly been setting the league on fire. Are they capable NFL players? Sure. Are they the long-term answers at two of the most important positions on the field? That’s a much harder sell.
And yes, I know what you’re thinking. Maybe Holmes really does believe these guys can handle the job. Maybe he’s seen something in their tape that makes him confident they’re starter-quality players who can help this team make another playoff run.
But consider the alternative scenario. Holmes knows he needs upgrades at these spots. He’s done his homework on the draft prospects. He’s probably already mapped out trade scenarios to move up if his guy is sitting there. The last thing he wants to do is telegraph that desperation to every other GM in the league.
The Question That Backed Him Into a Corner
The reporter who asked the question didn’t exactly give Holmes an easy out. The question was direct: “What’s your confidence level in Borom and Wonnum if those guys can be every-down starter types? Or do you think you have to supplement them in the draft?”
What was Holmes supposed to say? “Well, actually, I think both guys are pretty mediocre and we’re definitely looking to replace them as soon as possible”? That’s not how this works.
When you’re an NFL general manager, you support your players in public. Period. Even if privately you’re already planning their replacement. Especially when those players haven’t even put on a Lions uniform yet.
The Holmes Track Record Says Otherwise
Look at Holmes’ draft history. This is a guy who doesn’t reach for need, but he also doesn’t ignore obvious holes in the roster. He’s been pretty good at identifying talent and going after it when the opportunity presents itself.
The Lions have real needs at right tackle and defensive end. Not wants. Needs. The kind that can derail a season if they’re not addressed properly. Holmes knows this better than anyone.
Does that mean he’ll reach for a tackle or pass rusher in the first round? No. Holmes has shown he’ll stick to his board and take the best player available. But you can bet he’s hoping that best player available happens to play one of those two positions.
Reading Between the Lines
Here’s what I think is really happening. Holmes has done his homework on the draft. He knows which players he wants and roughly where they’ll be available. He’s probably already worked out trade scenarios with other teams. The man who moved up to get his quarterback and his receivers isn’t suddenly going to go conservative when it comes to protecting that quarterback or getting after opposing ones.
The Borom and Wonnum signings weren’t about finding the answer. They were about creating depth and competition. Having serviceable options so you don’t have to panic-pick someone in the draft.
But make no mistake, if the right tackle or pass rusher is sitting there when Detroit is on the clock, Holmes isn’t passing because he’s satisfied with what he has. That’s not how you build a Super Bowl contender.
So no, I don’t believe Holmes when he says he doesn’t feel like he has to supplement those positions. I think he’s doing exactly what a smart GM should do: keeping his cards close while supporting the players already on his roster.
Do you buy what Holmes is selling about Borom and Wonnum, or is this just classic pre-draft misdirection? Drop your take below and tell us if you think Brad is being straight with us or playing chess while everyone else is playing checkers.
