Lions GM Brad Holmes says frustration over last season fueled an intense draft process

ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) — The sting of missing the playoffs didn't just linger in Detroit. It sharpened the edge inside the Lions’ draft room.

General manager Brad Holmes acknowledged Saturday that this year’s preparation carried a little bit more fire, fueled by the frustration of falling short and a heightened sense of urgency that defined every decision. Holmes described an offseason where reminders of that disappointment were everywhere — he even wrote it on his office wall — as he and his staff approached the draft with renewed intensity. “I take every draft serious,” Holmes said.

“But when you miss the playoffs, that might be the kick in the rear that you need. “The urgency needed to be pushed up on everything. ” When asked what was the most important thing the Lions accomplished during the draft, Holmes responded, “just finding gritty football players.

I’m not saying that we forgot about our identity, but just making sure that that was at the top of mind. ” Holmes said the Lions were surprised by the players they were able to select. “It actually even exceeded my expectations in terms of the players that we were able to get and just maximize the resource that we had on day three,” Holmes said.