The Lions Draft That Almost Got Away Clean
Look, this is the kind of problem you want to have. When your biggest draft complaint is nitpicking a seventh-round flyer or questioning whether a fourth-rounder has enough upside, you know Brad Holmes just had another damn good weekend.
But since we’re masochists who lived through the Matt Millen era, let’s go ahead and find fault with perfection. Our staff took a hard look at the Lions’ 2026 draft class and came up with their least favorite picks. Spoiler alert: these complaints are weaker than a Packers fan’s handshake.
The “Problems” We Found
Tyre West drew one vote for the simple reason that his role might be limited and there were other defensive tackles available. That’s it. That’s the complaint. A pick might not start immediately. Revolutionary stuff.
Jimmy Rolder got hit twice, with one staffer noting that linebacker was a need before the draft and still feels like a need after. Fair enough. The other criticism centered on projection required to see him develop into a starting weakside linebacker. Again, we’re talking about a fourth-round pick here, not a top-ten disaster.
Kendrick Law caught heat for being a receiver when the position wasn’t expected to be addressed. The argument? The Lions don’t have any tight ends under contract in 2027, so the need at that position is more dire, and Greg Dortch was already signed to handle punt returns. Valid concerns, though complaining about depth at skill positions feels very un-Lions-like for those of us who remember fielding Ryan Broyles and Kris Durham.
The spiciest take came on Derrick Moore, the second-round edge rusher. The complaint wasn’t about Moore himself but the cost of trading up to get him. Moving picks 50 and 128 to jump to 44 felt steep when other promising edge prospects like Zion Young and Gabe Jacas were still available. Plus, the board had plenty of other defensive talent that could have helped without the premium.
When Your Worst Problem Is Good Problems
Here’s the thing about this entire exercise: it feels almost insulting to Holmes’ track record. This is the same GM who turned Jameson Williams, Aidan Hutchinson, and Jack Campbell into cornerstones. The same guy who found Sam LaPorta in the second round and Jahmyr Gibbs in the first.
Are some of these picks projection plays? Sure. Will they all pan out? Probably not. But when your “worst” pick is a fourth-round linebacker who’ll contribute on special teams immediately, you’re doing something right.
The Moore trade-up is the only critique with real teeth. Giving up draft capital always carries risk, especially when quality players remain on the board. But Holmes has earned the benefit of the doubt on these moves, and if Moore develops into the pass rusher Detroit needs opposite Hutchinson, nobody will remember the cost.
So there you have it. The Lions’ “worst” picks from a draft that looks pretty damn solid from every angle. Which means we’re probably due for some cosmic balance in the form of a devastating injury or Aaron Rodgers playing until he’s 50.
Think Holmes whiffed on any of these picks, or are we just looking for problems where none exist? Drop your hot takes below.
