Breaking Down All 7 of Detroit’s 2026 Draft Picks
The Lions wrapped their 2026 draft class and now we get to do what we do best: overthink every single pick until September gets here. Brad Holmes added seven new faces to the Allen Park roster, and if you’re looking for the short version, it feels like another solid Holmes draft with the usual mix of home runs and head scratchers that somehow always works out.
The consensus darlings this time around are Blake Miller, Derrick Moore, and Keith Abney. Smart picks that address real needs without reaching. Holmes doing Holmes things.
But Jimmy Rolder and Kendrick Law? That’s where things get interesting, and by interesting I mean the kind of picks that make you trust the process while quietly wondering what the hell Brad saw that the rest of us missed. Which, let’s be honest, is exactly how we felt about some of his previous home runs before they became home runs.
The final two selections are a pair of defensive tackles with intriguing traits and even better backstories. Classic late-round fliers that either contribute on special teams or disappear into camp cuts. The beauty of having depth is you can take these swings without losing sleep.
What stands out about this entire class is how it reflects some strategic shifts in Holmes’ approach. He’s building this roster with a specific vision, and after watching him work for several years now, you start to see the patterns. The man has earned the benefit of the doubt, even when the picks don’t immediately make sense.
This isn’t the kind of draft that’s going to dominate headlines or win internet grades. It’s the kind of draft that quietly adds pieces to a championship puzzle. Holmes isn’t swinging for the fences anymore because he doesn’t need to. He’s building depth and finding value while other teams reach for names.
The Lions roster is starting to take shape, and most of these additions feel like they have a legitimate path to contributing. Whether that’s Year One impact or developmental pieces for down the road, this feels like another Holmes draft where the true value reveals itself over time.
Think Holmes nailed another draft or are we just drinking the Honolulu Blue Kool-Aid? Drop your take below.
Holmes has earned the right to make picks that don’t immediately jump out at you. The fact that he’s not panicking and just adding smart depth pieces tells me he’s got a real plan here. I’m trusting the process because it’s actually been working for once.
Look, I get the optimism about Miller and Moore, those feel solid. But I’m gonna need to see what Rolder and Law actually do on the field before I’m convinced those weren’t just reaches. Holmes has been better than most, but that doesn’t mean every pick hits.
After everything this franchise has been through, watching Holmes just methodically build like this is refreshing. No circus, no drama, just picking guys who fit the system. This is what competent management looks like and I never thought I’d see it here.