Brad Holmes has a type. If you’ve spent any time at Ford Field lately, you know exactly what that looks like. It’s gritty. It’s violent. It’s usually a guy who was overlooked or called "too small" until he punched someone in the mouth (legally, of course) on a football field.
Detroit Lions first round draft picks used to be a punchline. We lived through the Matt Millen era where every first-round selection felt like a wide receiver we didn't need or a quarterback who was destined to see more dirt than end zones. Honestly, it was exhausting. But the vibe has shifted so hard it’s almost unrecognizable.
The Foundation of the Holmes Era
You can’t talk about the current roster without starting at the beginning of the turnaround. 2021. Penei Sewell.
Taking an offensive tackle at number seven might have seemed "safe" to some, but Sewell isn't a safe player. He’s a tone-setter. He’s the guy who will sprint 40 yards downfield to lead a block for a screen pass. Brad Holmes didn’t just draft a tackle; he drafted the soul of the offensive line.
Then you look at 2022. Aidan Hutchinson at number two was a layup—a local kid from Michigan who plays with a motor that simply does not quit. But it was the trade up for Jameson Williams at twelve that showed the front office’s teeth. They aren't afraid to take a swing on high-ceiling talent, even if they have to wait for an ACL to heal.
Breaking the "Positional Value" Myth
2023 was the year everyone lost their minds. Seriously.
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The "draft experts" on TV were screaming. "You don't take a running back at twelve! You don't take an off-ball linebacker at eighteen!"
- Jahmyr Gibbs (RB): Proved everyone wrong immediately.
- Jack Campbell (LB): Became the thumping heart of the defense.
Basically, Holmes told the entire league that he doesn't care about your spreadsheets. He cares about "game-changers." If a guy can score from anywhere on the field or erase a tight end in coverage, his position title is irrelevant.
The Secondary Rebuild and the Trenches
By 2024, the mission was clear: fix the secondary. Bringing in Terrion Arnold at twenty-four was a masterclass in patience. Arnold brought a swagger to Detroit that we haven't seen in the defensive backfield since maybe the Dre Bly days. He’s physical, he’s loud, and he fits the Dan Campbell mold perfectly.
But what about the most recent moves?
In the 2025 draft, the Lions went back to the interior. Tyleik Williams, the massive defensive tackle from Ohio State, was the pick at twenty-eight. People expected an edge rusher, but with Alim McNeill dealing with an ACL injury at the time, Holmes went for a "nimble" giant. Williams is 334 pounds but moves like a man a hundred pounds lighter. He’s a three-down player who can actually rush the passer, which is a nightmare for opposing centers.
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Lions First Round Picks (2021-2025)
- 2021: Penei Sewell (OT, Oregon) - Pick 7
- 2022: Aidan Hutchinson (DE, Michigan) - Pick 2
- 2022: Jameson Williams (WR, Alabama) - Pick 12
- 2023: Jahmyr Gibbs (RB, Alabama) - Pick 12
- 2023: Jack Campbell (LB, Iowa) - Pick 18
- 2024: Terrion Arnold (CB, Alabama) - Pick 24
- 2025: Tyleik Williams (DT, Ohio State) - Pick 28
Looking Ahead to the 2026 NFL Draft
We are currently sitting in January 2026, and the Lions are in a weird spot. For the first time in a long time, they’re picking in the middle of the pack at number seventeen.
The buzz right now is all about the offensive line and the secondary. Taylor Decker is weighing retirement, which is a massive deal. You don't just replace a guy like Decker overnight. Analysts like Dane Brugler are already pointing toward Caleb Lomu out of Utah as a potential successor. Others are looking at Spencer Fano.
There's also the "Terrell" factor. Avieon Terrell from Clemson—the younger brother of All-Pro A.J. Terrell—is a name that keeps popping up. He’s smaller, but he has three sacks and five forced fumbles this past season. He’s exactly the kind of high-production, high-energy player this coaching staff loves.
Honestly, it wouldn't surprise anyone if Holmes traded out of seventeen altogether. He loves his mid-round picks.
Why the Strategy Actually Works
The secret sauce isn't just the first round. It's how the Detroit Lions first round draft picks interact with the later rounds. Amon-Ra St. Brown was a fourth-rounder. Alim McNeill was a third-rounder.
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When you hit on your first-rounders—which Holmes has done at an almost historic rate—it takes the pressure off the rest of the draft. You aren't drafting for "hope." You're drafting for "depth."
There’s a nuance here that folks miss. The Lions don't draft for "need" in the traditional sense. They draft for "culture." If a guy doesn't love football, he isn't getting a phone call from the 313 area code.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're trying to track how the next few months will go for the Lions, stop looking at "Big Boards." They don't matter in Allen Park. Instead, look for these three things:
- RAS (Relative Athletic Score): Holmes loves elite athletes. If a guy is in the 90th percentile for his position, he's on the radar.
- Senior Bowl Participation: This staff puts a lot of weight on seeing guys compete in person against top talent.
- Position Versatility: Can a tackle play guard? Can a corner play safety? The Lions value players who can fill multiple holes on a roster.
Keep an eye on the Senior Bowl coming up in a few weeks. That’s where the real evaluation starts. Whether they go for a tackle like Lomu or a playmaker like Terrell, expect the pick to be someone who treats every snap like it’s their last. That’s just the Detroit way now.