How do good teams approach the draft?
When it comes to the NFL draft, good teams tend to prioritize their biggest future needs early on. Fans are eager to see the biggest remaining questions on the roster right now addressed early. When looking at the Lions’ situation, it’s easy to get gridlocked into the idea that they must draft an offensive tackle and an edge in some combination with their first two picks. That isn’t necessarily how Brad Holmes does things, though. In fact, Holmes’ history suggests maybe he won’t do that.
A quick refresh on the Lions’ recent draft history under Holmes:
In 2023, Holmes selected Jahmyr Gibbs with the 12th overall pick. This was despite the Lions having signed David Montgomery to a top-12 average annual value (AAY) free agent contract and the presence of incumbent DeAndre Swift, who was coming off a career year (in terms of efficiency). Gibbs was a special player, so they did it anyway.
Six picks later, they selected linebacker Jack Campbell despite having handed Alex Anzalone a heavy contract extension and also having standout Malcolm Rodriguez and up-and-comer Derrick Barnes on the roster.
In 2024, Holmes selected CB Terrion Arnold in the first round after a trade-up. This was after a free agency period in which the Lions traded for Carlton Davis (who was playing on an expiring deal) and signed Amik Robertson to a starter-level contract, while also having experienced backups Kindle Vildor and Emmanuel Moseley on the roster. Also, it’s important to note that Brian Branch was the team’s starting nickel in 2023. Holmes then doubled down at CB by drafting Ennis Rakestraw in the 2nd round.
In 2025, I don’t think anyone expected the Lions to draft an interior defensive lineman as high as they did. They selected Tyliek Williams 28th overall with DJ Reader, Alim McNeil, Levi Onwuzurike, and Roy Lopez on the roster. Again, addressing a future need more than an immediate one.
Now, before we move on, I am not saying offensive tackle and edge rusher aren’t also future needs (they are). But there are other future needs as well, and it is my conviction that we need to recalibrate our mindset to consider the best player available. This is how Brad Holmes will likely be thinking about it. Who knows, maybe his board will lineup with the needs at OT and EDGE, but that is certainly not a guarantee.
Let me make a case for another position group in the first two rounds.
*Before we dive in, remember that all data cited in this section is provided exclusively by Fantasy Points Data Suite.
Has CB been glossed over as a potentially big need of the future?
It’s easy to look at the Lions’ current depth chart and feel really good about the depth at defensive back. Even if Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch miss time at safety, the Lions did a nice job adding to the room with a plethora of potential starters/role players. They mixed in veterans with tons of experience (Chuck Clark and Avonte Maddox) while also adding a young up-and-comer in Christian Izien. It’s easy to feel pretty good there.
Conversely, you look at cornerback and see a likely upgrade in the nickel with Roger McCreary, along with a potentially healthy Rakestraw for competition’s sake. At outside CB, they return the three players who played the most snaps last year: Arnold, D.J. Reed, and Rock Ya-Sin. They also have Khalil Dorsey still in the fold, who is primarily a team’s guy, but has impressed me with his growth on D.
So what’s the problem?
Well… Terrion Arnold has had some major off-field red flags this offseason, along with injury issues in each of his first two seasons. Also, being completely honest, he hasn’t been very good. There has been very spotty ball production, and he has given up an enormous 51 1st downs and seven touchdowns in his first 22 starts.
Furthermore, Rock Ya-Sin is back, but just on a 1-year deal. I would classify him as quality depth, but not a long-term starter.
Lastly, D.J. Reed has a very interesting wrinkle in his contract that doesn’t necessarily tie him to Detroit beyond this coming season. That wrinkle comes in the form of an enormous $13.645 million option bonus, which is set to be exercised by April 1, 2027. If the Lions stick with Reed and the bonus is exercised, he will count for $8.131 M against the cap in 2027, but would carry just over $17 million in dead cap in 2028 when his contract voids. If the Lions decide to move on and release Reed during the 2027 offseason, they would take on $9.141 M in dead cap next year, but would not carry any dead cap into 2028.
The reality is that if D.J. Reed returns to form (we saw glimpses of it toward the end of 2025), this probably isn’t a conversation. However, if Reed struggles with his health again and/or struggles to perform, the Lions are potentially looking at a situation in which they could have zero answers on the roster at CB long term.
Ergo, could the Lions take a CB with either of their 1st two picks? We have seen Brad strongly react to better situations than this. My contention is it’s absolutely on the table if the right guy is there.
The potential names:
If the Lions are indeed thinking CB, here are my 5 favorite players who align philosophically.
Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee – The Lions play a ton of press-man, and that is where McCoy has thrived the most. He is also widely considered the most physically gifted CB in the draft. McCoy has elite intangibles and insane ball-production while giving up under a 50% catch rate on targets into his coverage. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention a torn ACL in his recent history that could provide an injury “discount.” Joking aside, Brad Holmes has made it a point to exploit those market inefficiencies. This would cost the Lions the 17th overall pick, if McCoy is even available.
Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU – The draft community seems pretty split on where Delane should go. There is a large swath of analysts who believe he is a top-5 player in the class (I align closely with them), while some think McCoy is the top dog. Regardless, the Lions need to be prepared if he is in their range. Delane is the most complete CB in the draft. He is scheme-agnostic and can survive in press-man or off-zone. His ball skills and instincts are a sight to behold. He isn’t the premier athlete McCoy is, but he has enough juice to mark up with the league’s top vertical threats. This would also cost the Lions the 17th overall pick, but the likelihood he is there is very small.
Chris Johnson, CB, SDST – Johnson is another relatively scheme-agnostic CB with impressive footspeed and mirror technique. He has an innate ability to shrink space at the catch point, and as a result, his ball production, albeit at a smaller school, is otherworldly. He actually reminds me of a longer, more athletic version of D.J. Reed. Coming from a small school, he needs to add some mass/strength to his frame, as right now he can get bullied a bit by bigger, more physical WRs. This would be a 2nd round target for the Lions.
De’Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana – Ponds is a smaller, freaky athlete at CB who punches above his weight class with his physicality and feistiness. This is Amik Robertson on Captain America’s super soldier serum. At just 5-foot-8, some teams will be skittish to play him on the outside, but I firmly believe he has the athleticism, tenacity, and footwork to erase top WRs. He will inevitably give up some jump balls, but the sticky coverage and ball skills are the main attraction. The Lions might be in no man’s land with him, as I expect him to go between their first pick at No. 17 and their second at No. 50. However, there is a non-zero chance he gets passed over due to his size.
Keionte Scott, NB, Miami – Scott is a primary nickel corner with positional versatility (could play outside CB or even safety) due to his elite athletic traits. There might not be a player in this draft class who screams “LION” more than Scott. This man will defend the run with his life. He plays with the physicality of a linebacker and is even willing to be a “take-on” player to free up teammates in pursuit. The overall coverage skills, specifically his ability to stay sticky in phase on vertical routes, are a work in progress, but his impact near the LOS is undeniable. Scott would also likely need to be a second-round target for the Lions.
You can find my formal write-ups on all these players and more in my 2026 NFL Prospect Guide.
Conclusion:
Ultimately, while offensive tackle and edge rusher will dominate the conversation heading into the draft, Brad Holmes has shown time and again that he drafts for the roster he’ll need in 2027 and beyond, not just the one staring back at him in 2026. Cornerback may not feel like an urgent need today, but the combination of Terrion Arnold’s inconsistency and injury history, Rock Ya-Sin’s short-term deal, and the very real possibility that D.J. Reed’s future in Detroit hinges on a massive 2027 option bonus creates a longer-term vulnerability few are talking about.
If a premium talent like Jermod McCoy or Mansoor Delane is available at pick No. 17, or one of the high-upside second-round options falls to them, don’t be surprised if Holmes pulls the trigger. Good teams don’t chase the loudest needs; they invest in the smartest ones. In Detroit, that has been Brad Holmes’ way, and it’s exactly why the Lions are in a position to keep building a sustained winner.
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