After missing the playoffs in 2025, the Lions entered the offseason with two clear priorities: rebuilding a depleted offensive line and bolstering the overall depth of the defense. Free agency saw them sign a new starting center in Cade Mays, several depth linemen, and multiple veterans on the defensive side. The team entered the 2026 NFL Draft in need of a starting right tackle and an edge rusher to start opposite Aidan Hutchinson.
As opposed to past years, Brad Holmes drafted to fill his biggest needs this go around. While his stated approach is selecting the best player available, regardless of team need, it can’t be a coincidence that nearly every pick filled a position of weakness from the 2025 team. Here is my breakdown of each pick and where they fit on the 2026 Lions.
Round 1: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
The retirement of Taylor Decker left a glaring hole at offensive tackle, one that free agent signee Larry Borom was not going to fill long-term. Enter Blake Miller, the new starting right tackle. Miller started 54 games at Clemson, making him one of the most experienced players in the entire draft. He embodies the grit and toughness that Dan Campbell wants in his team. Out of the tackles drafted in the first round, Miller is arguably the most pro-ready of the bunch, making him a safer pick than Monroe Freeling, who went 19th overall to Carolina.
Miller drew some comparisons to Taylor Decker, and it is easy to see why. Decker never earned All-Pro honors, nor was he ever considered one of the elite tackles in the league. But he was a rock-solid starter for ten years for the Lions. If Blake Miller has a similar career, sign me up as a big fan. Brad Holmes did not overthink this pick. He drafted for need while getting a player that fits the Lions culture perfectly.
Round 2, #44: Derrick Moore, EDGE, Michigan
I predicted Moore as the Lions second-round pick in my mock draft last week, so I was not at all surprised when Brad Holmes traded up from pick #50 overall to pick #44, giving up the 4th rounder acquired in the David Montgomery trade, to select him. Having watched every snap Moore played at Michigan, it’s easy to see his fit in Detroit. He recorded ten sacks in 2025 and finished his four-year Michigan career with 21 overall.
He is a power rusher and an excellent tackler, but still has room to grow against the run. He isn’t a “bad” run-defender and is certainly better than anyone the Lions rolled out opposite Aidan Hutchinson last season, but improving against the run will be key to him earning the starting role. For years, fans have clamored to add pass rush help for Aidan Hutchinson. Derrick Moore does just that.
Round 4, #118: Jimmy Rolder, LB, Michigan
Linebacker was an underrated need for the Lions this offseason after losing Alex Anzalone in free agency. Jimmy Rolder really came into his own in 2025 at Michigan, proving to be an excellent run defender and tackler. I would define him as a classic Big Ten linebacker- tough, violent, and most effective against the run. He finished the 2025 season with 73 tackles, an interception, and seven tackles for loss.
Jack Campbell and Derrick Barnes are penciled in as starters at linebacker in 2026, with Malcolm Rodriguez as LB3. Rolder should battle Rodriguez for time in the rotation. To ever become a starter, Rolder has to improve in pass coverage. He allowed 29 receptions for 231 yards last season. I expect Rolder to see the field as a rookie, but not as a starter. Instead, he will rotate with Malcolm Rodriguez while playing on the special teams unit. As for 2027 and beyond, Rolder certainly could earn a starting job with continued improvement in pass coverage.
Round 5, #157: Keith Abney II, CB, Arizona State
The steal of the draft for the Lions, Abney was considered a consensus Day 2 pick leading up to the draft. Instead, he fell to the 5th round and into a Lions defense in need of depth at corner. Injuries have plagued the secondary for several years, most notably in the playoffs in 2024 and 2025. Abney played both outside and inside at Arizona State, but projects as a nickel at the pro level.
The Lions signed veteran Roger McCreary to start at nickel, a role where Abney could push for playing time as a rookie. Brad Holmes described Abney in his post-draft presser as “another instinctive guy that could find the football, he could trigger, he can tackle, he’s pretty sticky.” As a rookie, Abney projects as a backup piece, but certainly has the potential to develop into a starter down the road. This is a pick we could back on as a steal a few years from now.
Round 5, #168: Kendrick Law, WR, Kentucky
The Lions traded up 13 spots to draft Law, who does not have a path to playing time on offense this season behind Amon Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Isaac TeSlaa, and Greg Dortch. But that does not mean he won’t be an impactful player right away. After losing Kalfi Raymond, the Lions needed a new kick and punt returner. He is quick, explosive, and should handle return duties as a rookie.
As a long-term piece, Law could establish a role as a gadget player. At Alabama and Kentucky, he was utilized in the screen game, on jet sweeps, and other short plays to get the ball in his hands quickly to let him run after the catch. Of every pick in this draft, this is the only one that doesn’t address an obvious need, but that doesn’t mean Law won’t carve out a role.
Round 6, #205: Skyler Gill-Howard, DT, Texas Tech
Gill-Howard suffered a season-ending ankle injury in October, which knocked him down draft boards a bit. When healthy, he was impactful against both the run and pass across three college seasons, two at Northern Illinois and one at Texas Tech. His story is incredible. After walking-on at Division Two Upper Iowa, he barely saw the field, entered the transfer portal, and began working at FedEx and as a high school track coach while waiting for another shot in football. He walked on at Northern Illinois in 2023, became a captain in 2024, and transferred to Texas Tech in 2025, where he had a productive six games before getting injured. Talk about one heck of a journey! It’s going to be easy to root for him.
On the field, Gill-Howard is an intriguing athlete with a high ceiling. He should serve as a depth defensive tackle on what is currently a shallow position group for the Lions. With time and patience, he could become more than a depth piece, but it’s the type of upside swing you want to take late in the draft.
Round 7, #222: Tyre West, EDGE, Tennessee
Brad Holmes closed the draft with another defensive player in Tyre West, a versatile d-lineman who projects to move inside as a pro. Behind Alim McNeil, Tyleik Wiliams, and Levi Onwuzurike, the battle for the fourth defensive tackle spot is wide-open. Both West and Skyler Gill-Howard could factor into that battle. West will fight for a roster spot and depth role in camp.
Overall thoughts
When viewing the draft as a whole, it’s easy to see where each player fits into the current roster. Blake Miller is the obvious starter at right tackle, while Derrick Moore should play a lot from Week One onward. Offensive tackle and edge rusher were the two biggest needs, and Brad Holmes addressed them with the first two picks. Both players fit the profile the Lions want and were not overdrafted.
Rolder and Abney also fill immediate rotational needs at linebacker and corner while offering starter-caliber upside down the road. For fourth and fifth-round picks, that is the most you can ask for. I expect both players to make an impact as rookies, even if only as backups.
The Kendrick Law pick sticks out as the only one that doesn’t address a major need. Greg Dortch is a capable returner, but Law could earn that role. At worst, he will be a gunner on special teams. It is hard to get upset with any Day 3 pick considering how few of them end up being starters. If Law can become a weapon as a returner, that is a good use of a fifth round pick on a team that is contending for the Super Bowl. Gill-Howard and West are interesting dart throws late in the draft along a thin defensive line. Both are perfectly acceptable picks.
Overall, this was a very solid draft from Brad Holmes. Only time will tell if it ends up being a successful one, so come back in two years for a judgment. But, right now, it addresses significant needs and positions the Lions for a rebound season in 2026.
