Brad Holmes kicked off the 2026 draft by picking Blake Miller at No. 17, a tackle out of Clemson who started 54 games and played a school-record 3,778 offensive snaps.
Later, he moved up from No. 50 to No. 44 to select Derrick Moore , an edge rusher who wrapped up his final season at Michigan with 10 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss.
Five of Detroit ’s seven picks went towards defence in what was clearly a draft focused on the trenches rather than big names or flashy highlights.
The Lions seem intent on getting back to what made them successful in the first place — controlling the line of scrimmage, protecting Jared Goff , and allowing their defence to play aggressively rather than reactively.
Miller’s appeal is clear. With 54 starts and 3,778 snaps at Clemson, he’s exactly the kind of proven player who fits what the Lions need right now. He’s shown he can handle the grind week after week, and that sort of reliability is hard to overlook.
The Lions needed immediate help in pass protection, and Miller fits that need without needing time to develop. Instead of taking a risk on a project tackle, they went with someone who already matches their style—reliable, experienced, and ready to step in from day one.
The decision to trade up for Moore was a clear sign of intent from Holmes. Moving from No. 50 and giving up No. 128 to get to 44 indicates that Moore wasn’t just a name on the board — he was someone Detroit felt they needed to secure.
When there’s a gap in the pass rush, and you have a player you believe fills it, holding onto a fourth-round pick becomes less important than getting your guy. Moore’s production at Michigan backs up the move, even if some question whether he was taken too early. For Holmes, this wasn’t about draft rankings; it was about finding the right piece for Detroit’s defence.
Detroit’s approach didn’t change as the draft went on. Across the remaining rounds, the Lions selected Jimmy Rolder , Keith Abney II, Kendrick Law , Skyler Gill-Howard, and Tyre West. Rolder brings youth to the linebacker group after topping Michigan with 73 tackles. Abney adds physicality and nickel depth to the secondary.
Holmes put an emphasis on “football player” qualities throughout this draft class, focusing more on character and fit than pure athletic testing numbers. The Lions clearly targeted players who could step in quickly rather than projects that might take a couple of years to develop.
The heavy focus on defence was a clear response to where Detroit fell short last season. Their pre-draft needs included edge rusher, linebacker, defensive tackle, safety, and cornerback – nearly every position was addressed by Holmes during this draft.
Calling this class “not flashy” is probably the fairest description. The Lions didn’t need to make a splash. They needed reliable fixes in key areas – the offensive line, pass rush, and overall defensive depth.
Miller strengthens the line. Moore boosts the edge opposite Hutchinson. And the rest of the defensive additions show a front office that understood exactly what needed fixing after 2025.
Holmes approached this draft like someone who had watched his team drift from its identity and decided the way back was through the trenches. It wasn’t about being clever; it was about being clear-headed and practical, which is what this roster needed.
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