The Detroit Lions addressed their two biggest roster holes immediately during the NFL draft. On Day 1, the Lions selected Clemson Blake Miller to replace Penei Sewell on the right side of the offensive line, and on Day 2, the Lions finally selected an edge rusher within the first two rounds of the draft for the first time since 2022.
Michigan's Derrick Moore had the honor of breaking that draftless streak.
Of course, the Lions didn't exactly give up trying to find sneakily great picks in the draft despite Day 1 and 2 being so successful and straight to the point. Michigan's Jimmy Rolder, Arizona State's Keith Abney II, Moore, and Miller can all compete in earnest for the Lions' 53-man roster.
That puts five specific Lions on notice.
5 Lions who got a clear message from teams' draft picks
Ennis Rakestraw Jr.
Rakestraw, the Lions' 2024 second-rounder, has yet to make an impact on the roster. Injuries have kept him off the field, and with the teams' selection of Abney in the 5th round, he suddenly has some competition at nickelback.
Roger McCreary feels like the starter as of now at that position, but Abney is a versatile back with the traits to make you feel that he can develop into an outside corner. His size is a concern, of course. Rakestraw is going to have some serious competition between McCreary, Christian Izien, and now Abney.
Malcolm Rodriguez
While Derrick Barnes had a down year in 2025, he's signed with the Lions through 2028. Rodriguez, who suffered an ACL tear back in 2024 with the Lions, is back with the team on just a one-year deal. This is a prove-it season for him, and now, he's got competition added to the linebacker room by way of Jimmy Rolder.
The Michigan product is a strong tackler and great against the run, and he could replace Alex Anzalone in that role within the Lions' defense if Detroit doesn't fully trust Rodriguez to take over at that position. He should be doubly-motivated in camp thanks to this pick.
READ MORE: Lions fans won't take long to love 'unselfish, well-rounded' Derrick Moore
D.J. Wonnum
Wonnum was brought over to the Lions in free agency, and he was subsequently shamed for having simply signed with the team while happening to be the only pass rusher the team signed. He played a significant amount of snaps for the Carolina Panthers last season, which shows his ability to stay on the field and to stay healthy.
Of course, that's not really enough to add next to Aidan Hutchinson. Derrick Moore is going to be serious competition for Wonnum, and it's likely that Wonnum will begin the year taking more snaps in relief of Hutchinson while the Lions phase Moore into the NFL. Moore might be the smallest risk to any current Lions player.
Larry Borom
Brought in during free agency, the Detroit-native Borom was the Lions' initial solution to losing Taylor Decker. Borom is a swing tackle, but the Lions specifically planned on shifting Borom over to the right side of the line to allow for Penei Sewell to land on the left side. But, with the Miller pick, it's clear that Borom's time is ticking as the placeholder starter at right tackle on Detroit's depth chart.
Miller is a first-rounder that the Lions are going to want to get up to NFL speed as quickly as possible, especially as a means of seeing if he can take over the job full-time. Borom, however, is a decent insurance policy in case Miller needs more time to adjust.
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