Brad Holmes Sends Clear Message Ahead of NFL Draft
Brad Holmes revealed the Detroit Lions don’t feel pressured to draft an OT or EDGE, signaling a value-based approach in 2026.
If you’ve been following mock drafts lately, you’ve probably seen the same thing over and over for the Detroit Lions : offensive tackle or edge rusher. But according to Brad Holmes , that assumption might not be as locked in as people think. Speaking during his pre-draft press conference on Monday, Holmes made it clear: Detroit doesn’t feel forced to target either position when the 2026 NFL Draft begins.
Confidence in Recent Additions Part of that mindset comes from what the Lions did in free agency. Detroit added Larry Borom and D. J.
Wonnum , two players with legitimate starting experience in the NFL. Holmes pointed directly to their track record and recent performance as reasons for optimism. “I’ve said in the past, I thought Borom put out good tape this year,” Holmes said as quoted by Pride of Detroit.
“I don’t foresee that—I don’t have a crystal ball—but from what (the) last thing I saw on tape (was) I do think that he’s got starter-level ability and same as Wonnum. You’re talking about guys that have been starters in the NFL, but you just kinda look at where the trend is going, where the arrow is going. The last time, they’re still young, but we feel good about both of them.