The Lions Were All In on Blake Miller From Day One
We already knew Brad Holmes tried to trade up with the Rams to get the 13th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Rams said no thanks and grabbed Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson instead. What we didn’t know until now? Holmes had a backup plan that he ultimately decided wasn’t worth it.
A new video from the Ravens war room shows Detroit was the mystery NFC team that had a done deal to trade up to the 14th pick. The Lions offered their 17th pick, their 118th pick, and a 2027 third-rounder to Baltimore. Both teams agreed. Then Detroit backed out.
Why? Because Holmes knew his guy would still be there at 17.
Holmes Called His Shot
Right after the Rams took Simpson, Holmes felt confident Blake Miller would fall to them. And he was right. The Lions stayed put, saved their draft capital, and got exactly who they wanted.
“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,” Holmes said after the first round. “But we definitely explored strongly about trading up. Right after LA took the quarterback, I felt pretty good that we might be able to just get Blake.”
That’s the kind of calculated patience that separates good general managers from great ones. Holmes wanted Miller badly enough to explore two separate trade scenarios, but he was smart enough to recognize when he didn’t need to overpay.
Miller Was Always the Plan
Some people thought the Lions were targeting Miami edge rusher Reuben Bain. They had the chance to get him—they were literally positioned right in front of the team that eventually drafted him. They walked away instead.
This isn’t a story about settling for Plan B. This is a story about a front office that identified their guy, did their homework, and executed perfectly. Miller was at the top of their board, and they got him without giving up additional assets they didn’t need to part with.
That’s just smart business from a general manager who continues to prove he knows what he’s doing. Holmes doesn’t make desperate moves or panic trades. He makes calculated decisions based on conviction and patience.
Is this the kind of draft maneuvering that finally gets this franchise over the hump, or are we reading too much into Holmes playing chess while everyone else plays checkers? Drop your take below.
