Blake Miller and Defense: Lions Attack Their Biggest Needs
The Lions wrapped up their draft knowing exactly what they came to do. Fix the offensive line. Add pass rush. Stop pretending depth doesn’t matter.
Brad Holmes started with the obvious move, taking Blake Miller at 17. Was it a reach? Maybe. Did they care? Hell no. When you need a tackle and there’s a tackle sitting there, you take him before someone else does.
The real story happened on Day 2. The Lions finally did what we’ve been screaming about for years and drafted a damn pass rusher. Michigan’s Derrick Moore cost them a fourth-round pick to trade up from 50 to 44, and it was worth every bit of draft capital.
Defense Gets the Bodies It Desperately Needed
Day 3 was all about adding depth where it matters most. Jimmy Rolder at linebacker. Keith Abney II at corner. Holmes even found time to grab receiver Kendrick Law after trading up again, because apparently he decided draft capital was meant to be spent.
The theme was clear as day: beef up the trenches on both sides. Add bodies to a defense that got pushed around too much. Give Dan Campbell more options when the injuries inevitably hit.
Skyler Gill-Howard and Tyre West rounded out the class, more defensive line depth that might actually matter come December. You know, when this team usually falls apart.
How the Division Stacks Up
The defending division champion Bears had a weird draft. Safety Dillon Thieneman was smart after losing both Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker in free agency. Center Logan Jones made sense with Drew Dalman retiring. But another tight end when they already have Cole Kmet and Colston Loveland? That’s the kind of overthinking that keeps you in second place.
Green Bay didn’t pick until Day 2 after trading their 2026 first for Micah Parsons, who’s coming off an ACL tear. They grabbed cornerback Brandon Cisse and defensive tackle Chris McClellan, both potential starters. Then they traded up for kicker Trey Smack. Because nothing says “championship contender” like reaching for special teams in the draft.
Minnesota went full chaos mode. Started with defensive tackle Caleb Banks, who broke his foot and was re-injured at the 2026 NFL Combine. Then they traded away pass rusher Jonathan Greenard to the Philadelphia Eagles for two third-round picks and immediately drafted linebacker Jake Golday. Nine picks total, which means they either found a bunch of contributors or a bunch of practice squad guys. No middle ground with the Vikings.
The Verdict
The Lions earned the best consensus draft grades in the division despite picking 16th overall. They addressed their two biggest needs early, then used the rest of their picks to add depth that might actually see the field.
This wasn’t about getting cute or outsmarting the room. Holmes saw holes and filled them. Campbell needed bodies and got them. Sometimes the best draft strategy is the most obvious one.
The offensive line should be younger and more stable. The pass rush should actually exist. The defense should have enough depth to survive the inevitable injuries. That’s what a successful draft looks like when you’re trying to climb back up in the division.
Think Holmes nailed another draft or are we setting ourselves up for disappointment again? Drop your take below.
