Detroit Lions sticking with Best Player Available method in NFL draft
Some of the Detroit Lions' most pressing needs match up with strengths this year, making it easier for Brad Holmes to stick with his plan.
Brad Holmes built the Detroit Lions by going Best Player Available in his first few drafts as general manager and that’s not about to change now that his team has the top-line talent to be Super Bowl contenders. Holmes said in his annual pre-draft news conference Monday, April 13, that he’ll still prioritize long-term potential over filling immediate needs in next week’s draft. The Lions have the 17 th pick in the first round, and nine selections overall.
THE BIG PICTURE: Brad Holmes says Detroit Lions don't have to force picks at OT, DE “The reason why we always go the best player available approach is because there is only one draft and the roster’s going to change every single year,” Holmes said. “Every single year, it’s going to be new needs, it’s going to be, contracts are going to expire and things are going to happen. So what may not seem as an immediate, ‘I need this right now for this year,’ that might not be the case for the next year.
So, that’s what’s been our approach on that. ” Holmes inherited one of the worst rosters in the NFL in 2021 and stocked it with stars in his first three drafts by casting a wide net by position. He made layups at the top of his first two drafts with offensive tackle Penei Sewell and defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, eschewed positional value to take running back Jahmyr Gibbs and linebacker Jack Campbell in the 2023 first round and hit big on several Day 2 and 3 selections.
Drafting wasn’t easy then, but the Lions had few cornerstone players at the time who would block a rookie’s playing time and development. Now, the Lions have Pro Bowl players at every level on offense and defense – Campbell, Gibbs, Hutchinson, Sewell, Brian Branch, Jared Goff, , Sam LaPorta and Amon-Ra St. Brown – and more pointed areas in need of an upgrade.