Detroit Lions Mailbag: Where are the edge rushers and when will the Lions sign them?
Answering Lions fan’s burning questions
The first week of free agency is over for the Detroit Lions, and eveyone is clearly as happy as can be and is not concerned about anything at all. The sky is where it’s supposed to be. Let’s answer some questions. We’ll try not to make them all about edge rushers, even though the overwhelming amount of them were about that.
Will Brad Holmes and the Lions get an edge rusher in the draft?
Here’s the thing. For the first time during the Brad Holmes era, I can guarantee that the Lions will get some edge rushers very soon. They have to. They only have three on the roster right now, and one of them has never played in the NFL, and the other has barely played. Then there’s Hutchinson.
At this point, I still expect them to add one before the draft. But in the draft, I expect them to definitely add at least one. Maybe two. I can see it potentially being the Lions’ 17th pick as well.
Will Holmes make a huge trade-up to get back into the first round?
What do you think of this scenario: DET takes and edge like Faulk at 17, and signs Can Jordan to start and mentor for a year. And then the lions trade 50, 118, and a 27 3rd to get into the first round and take a tackle? I feel this is best case scenario
— whatsymondssays.bsky.social (@whatsymondssays.bsky.social) March 16, 2026 at 7:59 PM
That would be quite a move for sure. I wouldn’t rule out a Holmes trade-up. He’s done that a lot more than trade down. But if the Lions hope to get back into the first round, they’d probably have to give up a first-round pick to do so. Which would mean they’d have to move their 2027 first-round pick.
If the Lions were to move up, they would have to make sure the juice is worth the squeeze, and we’re talking about knowing a player who can contribute immediatley being there. I just have a hard time seeing Holmes give up that future first. But you never know.
What about a trade down?
In my opinion, trading down is the way to go for the Lions. Get a pick in the 20’s as you mentioned and then close that gap between the 50th pick and the 118th pick. It’s what I would do if I were Brad Holmes. I also like Blake Miller in the 20s as well. He’s a tackle who’s played at the highest level in college and has been a starter since his freshman year. Makes you feel more comfortable that he can start right away.
In terms of developing a quarterback, this is the time to start thinking about it with all the quarterback-centric minds you have on this coaching staff. Robertson is definitely an option, as is Cole Payton and Taylen Green, among some other names.
What roles do you think Christian Izien and Roger McCreary will play in Detroit?
Let’s start with McCreary. I expect him to be the day one starter in the slot. He was really good at that in Tennessee. I do still wonder if the Lions look to draft another guy there or if Ennis Rakestraw will continue his role there. But McCreary is a good player for that role.
Iziein can play anywhere and will probably get utilized all over, but I expect him to play mostly safety. If there were a role he fits in the most, it’s the Avonte Maddox role from last year. He played everywhere, but spent most of his time at safety.
What’s going on with Jackson Meeks?
At this point, I don’t know. There were some thoughts that maybe he could make the switch to tight end, but the Lions didn’t really experiment with that beyond one game last year. Beyond that, he’s going to be a bit buried on the depth chart. Isaac TeSlaa is going to have a bigger role, and Dominic Lovett probably will too. I don’t know where that leaves Meeks unless he has an undeniable training camp and preseason.