If you’re hoping the Detroit Lions will draft based on need this year—especially on the edge—you might want to temper those expectations.
GM Brad Holmes made it loud and clear at his pre-draft press conference: this team isn’t chasing needs. It never has, and it doesn’t plan to start now. Holmes leaned into his philosophy once again, emphasizing that the Lions focus on taking the best player available—regardless of whether that player fills a hole on the current depth chart.
“I sometimes don’t understand the need thing,” Holmes said. “Every offseason, something’s going to change—an injury, a contract, something. You can’t draft scared. You can’t draft just to patch things up for one year.”
Holmes pointed to past examples like Jameson Williams and Ennis Rakestraw—both players the team knew wouldn’t provide immediate help, but were seen as long-term investments. And that’s exactly how Holmes sees the draft: building for the future, not plugging short-term gaps.
That includes the pass rush situation. Yes, Aidan Hutchinson dealt with an injury last year. Yes, fans and analysts alike are hoping Detroit grabs another edge rusher early. And yes, Holmes admits this year’s draft has plenty of “good players” at that position. But he pushed back hard on the idea that the Lions need to take one.
“We’ve got one of the elite edge rushers in the league,” Holmes said of Hutchinson. “There are only a handful of guys like him out there. And we’ve got depth—Levi Onwuzurike is coming on, Marcus Davenport is back, Josh Paschal can move around, and DJ Reader and Roy Lopez give us strength inside.”
Holmes also reminded everyone that just because you want a player at a specific position doesn’t mean you can force it. The right guy has to be there, and if he’s not, they won’t reach.
So while a shiny new edge rusher might be the flashy move fans are craving, don’t be shocked if Holmes and the front office zig when everyone expects a zag. They’re playing the long game—and it’s worked out pretty well so far.
