Since taking over in 2021, Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes has helped change the trajectory of the franchise. Under his leadership the Lions have added a massive infusion of talent that has resulted in one of the best rosters in the NFL. With the 2026 NFL draft almost here, SideLion Report is counting down the top five biggest steals he’s had since becoming Lions GM.
Note: Only picks outside of the first two rounds will be eligible. So why the likes of Aidan Hutchinson, Penei Sewell, Brian Branch, Sam LaPorta and others were undeniable hits, the purpose of this list is to look back at the times when the Lions had to dig deep for a gem.
5. Malcolm Rodriguez (LB)
Rodriguez is the lowest-drafted player on this list, having been the 188th overall pick in the sixth round back in 2022 out of Oklahoma State. And while he hasn’t blossomed into a perennial starter the same way the four names ahead of him have, he’s been an undeniable hit for a sixth-rounder.
Rodriguez has appeared in 50 games across four seasons and made 25 starts. He has logged 163 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, five quarterback hits, two forced fumbles and three sacks.
His 2024 season was cut short due to a torn ACL and Rodriguzez was thus limited in his 2025 return. But “Rodrigo” has been a solid, productive fan favorite for Detroit when on the field, and could be in his first full starting gig since his 2022 rookie year after Alex Anzalone left in free agency.
4. Derrick Barnes (LB)
Barnes is perhaps best known for his late-game interception of Baker Mayfield in the 2023 divisional round to send the Lions to the NFC championship game. But he’s been more than just that play for Detroit.
Barnes was a member of Holmes’ inaugural draft class in 2021— a group that will be well-represented in the top five. He was drafted 113th overall in the fourth round out of Purdue.
After biding his time as a promising reserve and special teamer, Barnes took over the full-time starting role as Detroit’s strong side linebacker in 2023, and demonstrated a versatile skillset with strong pass coverage, run defense and pass rush abilities.
His 2024 season was cut short due to injury after just three games, but Barnes returned in 2025 to start all 17 games. In five years, he’s logged 283 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 13 quarterback hits, seven forced fumbles, an interception (with another in the playoffs, of course) and a safety.
Barnes is one season into a three-year, $25.5 million extension keeping him under contract through 2027.
3. Alim McNeill (DT)
Alim McNeill had a down year in 2025 in his return from a torn ACL suffered late 2024, but when healthy he has been one of the most dynamic interior rushers in the NFL. McNeill was a third-round pick out of NC State in 2021 at No. 72 overall. He was a full-time starter for Detroit by his second season and has been ever since.
McNeill’s most productive season so far has been 2023, where he recorded 32 tackles, five sacks and six tackles for loss along with a forced fumble. In his career, he has posted 151 tackles, 30 quarterback hits, 12.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and four passes defended.
McNeill’s power, explosiveness and fluidity formed a great complement to Aidan Hutchinson on the outside, and the Lions rewarded him with a four-year, $97 million extension during the 2024 season. If he can get back to his pre-ACL tear form in 2026, McNeill could transform Detroit’s defense.
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2. Kerby Joseph (S)
Getting into All-Pro territory here. Joseph was yet another member of the 2021 class, drafted 97th overall out of Illinois in the third round. In no time he became one of the NFL’s most prolific ballhawks. He’s already snagged 20 interceptions in his four-year career so far, the only safety in NFL history to do that aside from Ed Reed.
Joseph led the league in interceptions in 2024 with nine en route to a first-team All-Pro nod. A knee injury limited him to just six games in 2025, in which time he still managed to nab three more picks.
But there’s concern that said knee injury may never properly heal, and Joseph may not be the same player again. If there’s truth to that, it’s a terrible turn for Joseph and the Lions, who agreed to a 4-year, $86 million extension before 2025.
Regardless of whether or not he can get back to form, Joseph was a home run for Holmes. Here’s hoping he can be his All-Pro self again.
1. Amon-Ra St. Brown (WR)
Surprised?
We’re officially in “best players in franchise history” territory when it comes to St. Brown, who has rapidly ascended to become one of the NFL’s premier wideouts since he was the 112th overall pick in the 4th round of 2021.
St. Brown is arguably the league’s best slot receiver. His tightrope route running, reliable hands and understated quickness make him a special player– not to mention the telepathic connection he seems to have with quarterback Jared Goff.
St. Brown has been a model of consistency in his five-year career. He has recorded at least 100 catches and 1,110 yards every year since his sophomore season, after catching 90 balls for 912 yards and five scores as a rookie. He’s already third all-time in Lions history in receptions, fourth in receiving yards and third in touchdowns.
If you’re scaling impact relative to where they were drafted, there’s really no debate who the best draft pick of the Holmes era has been so far. He got a legitimate franchise superstar wide receiver in the fourth round, and a player who helped transform the culture of the organization. Easy choice for the top steal of Brad Holmes’ Lions career through 2025.
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