If you think about it, the Lions have always been an ‘F them picks’ team with Brad Holmes as their GM
The Lions have always been the team to move Heaven and Earth to go get their guy
On Monday, Detroit Lions GM Brad Holmes was asked if he would go full “F them picks” to go for a player who could move the needle and help them win a Super Bowl. His answer was very certain.
“Absolutely. Yeah, if it’s the right guy.” Holmes said. “You guys know me. I feel like you guys get mad at me sometimes like I do it too much sometimes. If we have that kind of conviction for a player, absolutely. We’re going to go and get him.”
The part to really focus on here is the ” I feel like you guys get mad at me sometimes like I do it too much sometimes” part. Lions fans may look at that and say, “What are you talking about? You’ve never traded a pick for a big-time player.” But that’s not really true.
The Lions have always been saying F them picks
In 2021, the Lions moved up 41 spots from 154 to 113 to get Derrick Barnes. They had to give up that 154th pick and a future fourth-round pick to do it. They didn’t mind.
In 2022, the Lions moved up from 32 to 12 to get Jameson Williams. They had to give up that 32nd pick as well as the first pick in the second round and the first pick in the third round. That is not nothing at all. That is a lot to give up for one player.
In 2023, they gave up the 122nd pick, 139th pick, and the 168th pick to move up for Brodric Martin. The pick didn’t wind up working out. But again, it’s clear proof that the Lions will say “F them picks” if they feel a conviction about a player.
In 2024, they gave up the 28th pick and their third-round pick to move up to the 24th pick for Terrion Arnold. Then later they gave up a future third-round pick to move up for Gioavnni Manu, and then moved a future fourth-round pick and more to move up for Sione Vaki.
In 2025, there was a trade-up for Isaac TeSlaa that included giving up two 2026 third-round picks. The reason the Lions don’t have a third-round pick this year.
The Lions may not have been going about saying “F them picks” in the way that some Lions fans really want them to. A way that’s probably not feasible due to their financial constraints. But they’ve definitely shown that they’re willing to do it and do it a lot. If the Lions like a guy, they will go get him.
That’s why even though I don’t think a trade-up in the first round is really necessary, I can’t rule out the possibility that the Lions would do it. Maybe they do walk out with David Bailey, Francis Mauigoa, Ruben Bain, Mansoor Dalane, or Spencer Fano. I guess we’ll have to wait and see.
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