If he has said it once, he has said it 1,000 times. Brad Holmes approaches the draft without strict attachment to needs. What he's done in three drafts as Detroit Lions' general manager also worked very well, so why change?
Heading into the fourth draft with Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell leading the charge in Detroit, the "best player available" philosophy applies more than it ever has. The reigning NFC runner-ups have few holes. But looking toward the future, with some big contracts coming, keeping the pipeline of cheaper young talent full is very important.
The Lions have three of the first 75 picks in the 2024 draft right now. Barring any trade activity, they'll then have a long wait between the third round (pick No. 73) and the fifth round (pick No. 164). It's fair to assume that gap between picks will be filled, or at least there will be a strong attempt to fill it.
Wherever they are picking over the three days of draft proceedings in Detroit, here are three positions the Lions could double-dip on in the 2024 draft.
3 position groups the Lions could double dip on in the 2024 NFL Draft
3. Edge Rusher
It's not breaking news that the Lions pass rush was severely lacking for a big chunk of last season, particularly with a lot of production from Aidan Hutchinson and little else off the edge. A healthy James Houston will be helpful, and if free agent signing Marcus Davenport can stay on the field he should be helpful to the cause too.
But it's hard to fully count on either Houston and Davenport being healthy, consistent and/or impactful. If only to add someone who can be a part of the rotation, and maybe far more down the road, the Lions feel sure to come out of next week's draft with an edge rusher. If the board falls that way, coming away with two is not out of the question.
2. Offensive Line
In a broad sense, as it is for every team, offensive line depth is a concern for the Lions. Losing the starter at any spot would hurt, if only in a domino effect sense as someone may have to move from his starting spot to fill the void. The best example of that is Graham Glasgow surely moving from left guard to center if Frank Ragnow was out.
From a contract perspective, left tackle Taylor Decker is entering the final year of his contract. Right guard Kevin Zeitler was signed to a one-year deal in free agency, and Glasgow re-signed to a two-year deal. Injuries over the last few seasons will surely shorten Ragnow's career. Decker, Zeitler and Glasgow are in their 30's, and counting Ragnow all four are entering at least their seventh NFL season. Offensive line is undeniably a long-term need.
In his pre-draft press conference, via 97.1 The Ticket, Holmes reiterated an organizational belief that offensive line is "where the game is won" and that unit is the "core of our team," It will be, as Holmes added, hard for an incoming rookie to "crack one of those big boys up front."
Offensive lineman with positional versatility, like Zach Frazier, Jordan Morgan, Jackson Powers-Johnson, Graham Barton or Dylan McMahon, could particularly be on the Lions' draft radar. If the far-fetched "buzz" they could trade Decker winds up actually yielding a move, then finding his immediate successor protecting Jared Goff's blind side becomes a top draft priority.
Coming out of the 2024 draft with two offensive lineman, one for the interior and maybe one who could kick out to tackle down the road, is not out of the question for the Lions.
1. Cornerback
The Lions wasted little time to address their need at cornerback this offseason, acquiring Carlton Davis from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and signing Amik Robertson. Emmanuel Moseley and some other depth guys (Kindle Vildor, Khalil Dorsey) were re-signed.
Looking beyond next season, with an extension possible for Davis before too long. Robertson is on what amounts to a one-year deal. Moseley, Vildor and Dorsey
In the wake of the unfortunate situation with Cameron Sutton, which led to his immediate release, cornerback (outside corner specifically) has resurfaced as a prominent need for the Lions. The best options to fill the void left by Sutton seem to now mostly be in the draft, shy of some notable veterans who remain available as the draft gets closer. Fortunately, it's a deep draft class at the position this year.
Holmes' history as Lions' GM says taking a defensive back will be prominently on his radar on Day 2 of the draft. But taking a corner in the first round at pick 29 is a definite possibility, if/when someone who shouldn't fall does. An aggressive trade up to get one of the top cornerbacks in the class (Quinton Mitchell, Terrion Arnold, etc.) is possible as well.
A cornerback double-up for the Lions in this year's draft looks incredibly possible, however it looks (early and late, two on Day 2, etc.)