Brad Holmes, Lions not desperate to draft tackle or edge rusher in 2026 NFL Draft

The Lions feel really good about D.J. Wonnum and Larry Borom. So good that they’re not desperate to replace them or supplement them

Mike Payton — Detroit Lions Beat Writer
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Detroit Lions Executive Vice President & General Manager Brad Holmes speaks to the press about their season, how it ended and what’s next at the Detroit Lions headquarters and training facility in Allen Park, Mich., Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025. Kimberly P. Mitchell / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Ok, stick with me here, Detroit Lions fans. I know that you see that headline and you’re like, “What the hell are you doing, Brad?” But it’s not totally what it looks like.

On Monday, Lions GM Brad Holmes did his annual pre-draft presser, and he was asked about the two big positions everyone is talking about with the Lions, edge rusher and offensive tackle. He was asked if the Lions felt good about free agency signings D.J. Wonnum and Larry Borom possibly starting.

The Lions feel good about Borom or Wonnum starting and don’t feel they 100% have to supplement them

“I’ve said in the past, I thought Borom put out good tape this year. You don’t have a crystal ball, but from what last thing I saw on tape, I do think that he’s got starter level ability, and same as Wonnum,” Holmes said. “You’re talking about guys that have been starters in the NFL. But just kind of look at where the trend is going, where the arrows going the last time, they’re still young, but we feel good about both of them, so we don’t feel like it’s, you know, we have to supplement them.”

Now, what Holmes is saying here is not that the Lions aren’t going to draft an edge rusher or a tackle. It might look that way on the surface, but what’s really being said here is that the Lions are a best player available team. They do not draft based on need.

If the player they think is the best available comes their way, and he is at one of those positions, then it’s a double win. But they’re not going to draft a tackle just because he’s a tackle or an edge just because he’s an edge. They want the fit more than anything.

If that doesn’t happen. If the guy they love, who might happen to be an edge, doesn’t fall their way, they feel good about Wonnum in that starting spot. The same goes for tackle. The Lions are not going to reach just to get bodies in the room who have that position next to their name.

With all of that said, it would be the most shocking thing in world history if the Lions went into this draft and did not walk out with an edge rusher or a tackle. There are just too many of them that fit the Lions, who will be in their range at several different times. Maybe they don’t come into the first two rounds, but they’re coming. Like, seriously, they have to.

The 2026 NFL Draft is next week. We’ll see what happens.

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