After making a seventh and final selection in the 2026 NFL draft on Saturday night, Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes met with the local media.
Love this front office. I think a lot of fans have forgotten just how awful this organization truly was for decades. It’s amazing to watch a competent organization. I can sit back and truly enjoy the draft. You know they can find fringe players to fill out the roster for depth as well. They’ve had some bad luck the last few seasons and as frustrating as it was to watch, I’m still 100% on board with this front office and staff.
Fans worry too much when they have to let certain players go. That’s what happens to good teams. You have to trust in the front office that built the team to begin with. They can’t pay everyone. You can rest assured that Holmes has money saved and has a plan for the nucleus of the team.
At the conclusion of the season I knew this off-season would be difficult. Tough choices had to be made. All things considered, I’m very happy with what they accomplished. I really like the OC hire. The OL went from older and beat up to young and hungry, with a lot of depth. Love the veteran DB signings to help with depth. That position has killed us the last two years with all the injuries. I could go on and on.
Only two positions I believe they need more competition at for camp is RB and TE. I’m sure they’ll add a few more bodies next week.
I was more excited about the "football player" designation before Brad (shout out Birchy) explained that he apparently uses that note for the majority of the draft class.
There was a misunderstanding there, IMO. He said the majority of the players they like all fit the football player bucket, but sometimes they'll draft a guy at non-core positions if they have outsized talent
I have reservations about the late round guys making an impact but- that's why they're late round guys. It was kind of cool to see them go so hard back into the lions mentality. I see the vision for being a gunner - which makes me feel a bit better about all picks in the fifth round. So, we will see but a lot of these guys will be role players for sure.
4 phase special teams player? That is very useful in a 5th rounder, who maxes out at WR4. Small potatoes was a wish for taking Benny as a third UM player at a position of need, but I absolutely respect BH’s decision making over my homerism. Can’t wait to watch Derrick Moore and Jimmy Rolder, Justin called and preferred Blake Miller too. Durable players win games.
Love this front office. I think a lot of fans have forgotten just how awful this organization truly was for decades. It’s amazing to watch a competent organization. I can sit back and truly enjoy the draft. You know they can find fringe players to fill out the roster for depth as well. They’ve had some bad luck the last few seasons and as frustrating as it was to watch, I’m still 100% on board with this front office and staff.
Fans worry too much when they have to let certain players go. That’s what happens to good teams. You have to trust in the front office that built the team to begin with. They can’t pay everyone. You can rest assured that Holmes has money saved and has a plan for the nucleus of the team.
At the conclusion of the season I knew this off-season would be difficult. Tough choices had to be made. All things considered, I’m very happy with what they accomplished. I really like the OC hire. The OL went from older and beat up to young and hungry, with a lot of depth. Love the veteran DB signings to help with depth. That position has killed us the last two years with all the injuries. I could go on and on.
Only two positions I believe they need more competition at for camp is RB and TE. I’m sure they’ll add a few more bodies next week.
I was more excited about the "football player" designation before Brad (shout out Birchy) explained that he apparently uses that note for the majority of the draft class.
Did i misunderstand that explanation?
There was a misunderstanding there, IMO. He said the majority of the players they like all fit the football player bucket, but sometimes they'll draft a guy at non-core positions if they have outsized talent
I have reservations about the late round guys making an impact but- that's why they're late round guys. It was kind of cool to see them go so hard back into the lions mentality. I see the vision for being a gunner - which makes me feel a bit better about all picks in the fifth round. So, we will see but a lot of these guys will be role players for sure.
The last couple picks seem to be in the mold of Levi / Lacy / Paschal / Wingo which is apparently a DL role / body type they like.
4 phase special teams player? That is very useful in a 5th rounder, who maxes out at WR4. Small potatoes was a wish for taking Benny as a third UM player at a position of need, but I absolutely respect BH’s decision making over my homerism. Can’t wait to watch Derrick Moore and Jimmy Rolder, Justin called and preferred Blake Miller too. Durable players win games.