As the Detroit Lions get closer and closer to the 2025 NFL Draft, there is a lot at stake with their 28th overall selection on Thursday night.
Brad Holmes spoke in his presser last Thursday about the difference between drafting the best player on the board and drafting based on need. Holmes feels that drafting based on need doesn't make sense because your needs change every season.
With his comments, Lions fans fully expect Holmes to draft the best player available over their needs, but is there a way to check both boxes?
Derrick Harmon may be a "need" in the short term and in the long term
In the latest CBS Sports mock draft from Garrett Podell, they have the Lions selecting Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon with the 28th overall pick. Podell views Harmon as a great complementary piece to Lions' star Aidan Hutchinson.
"One of the best at pressuring the quarterback from the defensive tackle spot at the FBS level," said Podell when evaluating Harmon. "That will play alongside Aidan Hutchinson."
When I think of great pass-rushing interior defensive linemen, my head immediately goes to Lions star defensive tackle Alim McNeill, who was having a stellar 2024 season before tearing his ACL late in the year.
McNeill was on a tear in the pass-rushing department leading up to his unfortunate injury. McNeill had accumulated 45 pressures, 38 hurries, and four sacks from the defensive tackle position, making him one of the best in that category in the league. According to what scouts are saying about Harmon, he may be a very similar player.
"Off the tape, he reminds me of a young Cam Heyward, but bigger," said an anonymous NFL executive to NFL.com.
Harmon had the best year of his career, transferring to Oregon from Michigan State for his senior season. He accumulated 45 tackles, five sacks, and two forced fumbles in his 2024 campaign.
The Lions' defense under Aaron Glenn loved to pass rush with their linebackers, and I expect former linebacker coach and new defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard to do the same. While not the most athletic guy, Harmon is known to take up space inside and help his linebackers in blitz situations.
"Capable as a block collector to keep his linebacker clean," said NFL analyst Lance Zierlein about the Oregon DT. "Exceptional blend of size, length, and strength makes him tough to move."
Derrick Harmon seems like a great potential fit for the Lions late in the first round, but how does he fit into the "BPA vs need" conversation? Personally, I think he checks both of those boxes.
At this moment, with Alim McNeill not scheduled to come back until November or December, the Lions need another great interior pass rusher to pair with D.J. Reader. Brad Holmes said in his presser last week, the current needs will not always be the future needs. In this scenario, they may be, as Reader is in the last year of his deal, and a pass-rushing DT will once again be a need for Detroit next season.
This way, you can take a guy like Harmon at 28th in the draft, and while you may not need a defensive tackle over an edge rusher or cornerback at the moment, you fill the hole left from the McNeill injury, and you plan ahead for next year when you will need a defensive tackle.
Harmon may be the perfect pick to blend Brad Holmes' view of "need" and "best player available".