Detroit Lions Mailbag: The Lions are likely done with developmental picks for a while
You might not have to worry about this problem anymore with the Detroit Lions’ NFL Draft strategy.
The Detroit Lions’ season is basically over, and I already did a mock draft this week, so let’s answer some questions to save our collective mental health.
Could there be a coaching change at the positional level?
We already know that the Lions will be looking for another tight ends coach since Tyler Roehl took the OC job at Iowa State. Some other changes could be coming since offensive line coach Hank Fraley could be getting more OC interviews this offseason.
The Lions might look to make a change with defensive line coach Kacy Rodgers after a not-so-good season. Someone might try to poach assistant linebackers coach Shaun Dion Hamilton.
Everything will depend on what Dan Campbell wants to do with his coordinators. If he decides to make sweeping changes, that could include many changes across the board. We’ll see what happens in two weeks.
Are the Lions done with the developmental draft picks?
Are the Lions done doing the developmental pick thing? It has not worked out
— jimmyjackfunk.bsky.social (@jimmyjackfunk.bsky.social) December 23, 2025 at 12:32 PM
Actually, they might be. And that’s all based on things Lions GM Brad Holmes said multiple times this summer.
”What’s gotten really hard—and it’s really been visible this year—is that in the past, especially in our first couple years, we had a lot of just young, developmental players that we really liked and we had a lot of room for,” Holmes said. “And as the guys have made these leaps and bounds and the talent has gotten better, it’s hard to always find room for those young, developmental guys.”
Holmes said a variation of this comment multiple times in the offseason. When I asked him about it in his pre-season press conference, this was the answer he gave me:
“That’s something that we talked about. It’s not that we won’t go for that anymore, I think everyone is case-by-case, so it’s not just, ‘Oh, every developmental prospect is in a vacuum.’ But it’s just, I think where we’re at as a roster right now, you’re just more cognizant of it. I think there’s times and windows to strike here and there, but you’re just more aware of it as opposed to when we first started. We just had a lot more room for those guys and had a lot more time. So, I would never say that we would not take a developmental player, but it’s just got to be the right situation.”
So all that is to say that the Lions are probably never going to 100% stop looking for developmental picks, but the fact is that they don’t have room for those guys anymore.
As Holmes said, they have to think more about the time they have. So it would certainly appear that the Lions will go into April’s draft looking to be intentional with their picks, with a focus on guys who can help right now.
What can the Lions do to fix QB2?
Kyle Allen is a strong backup, and I would be shocked if he’s not brought back. That said, I’ve been writing about how this is the year to draft your future quarterback since September, and the Lions have certainly been to all the schools that have the guys you might want.
So if you’re asking me about the plan, I believe it’s that they draft their QB2 in April and develop him for a few years. Some guys I have my eyes on are Oklahoma’s John Mateer, Miami’s Carson Beck, and LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier. Any one of those guys could be something with some time.
What should the Lions do with Alim McNeill?
There’s certainly a cost-cutting measure with McNeill if the Lions don’t want to keep going with him and can find a trade partner. They could also look at this practically and give him plenty of time to fully heal up and get ready to come back 100% for training camp in July.
That could make a large difference. I’m on both sides of the fence here. I see a world where Tyleik Williams steps into his role, and you save $24 million in 2026. But I can also see that coming off a torn ACL is not easy, and maybe you need a little more time.
Why is David Mongomery not playing?
This Montgomery stuff is overblown. The Lions’ offense is usually much more dynamic with Jahmyr Gibbs, so it makes more sense to do that. On top of that, we’re not talking about much of a change between what he did this year and last year. It’s something like 45 fewer carries.
The big thing, though, is that the Lions have not gotten out to leads as much as they have in the past couple of years, and that’s changed the way that they play. That includes getting Montgomery out there to help run the clock down with a big lead.
Now, they have to pass the ball more to try to get back in or stay in a game. That’s affecting Montgomery’s snaps in a big way.
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