2026 NFL Draft Thread

[Mr.TaterSalad]

23 minutes ago, gehringer_2 said:

then again, after seeing him go to 2 probowls and get a SB ring maybe they'd be less inclined to make the same decision again.....🤷‍♂️

No, they have a type of player they like when it comes to character and culture and they aren't compromising on that for any one player, no matter how talented they may be. It's the same reason they passed on guys like James Pearce Jr. and Mike Green in last year's draft. 

Edited 17 hours ago by Mr.TaterSalad

[Motown Bombers]

7 hours ago, Mr.TaterSalad said:

They clearly passed on Jalen Carter because of a car accident he was involved in. It was a concern for them then with Carter.

They passed on Carter because of his poor workout and being out of shape. Even Eagles fans note he takes plays off. 

[Stanley70]

Here is a list of the prospects the Lions have met with. Could be one or both of our day 1 and 2 picks are on this list. 

Top 30 Visits (In-Person at Allen Park)

Tyre West (DL, Tennessee)

Caleb Banks (DL, Florida)

Demarcus Lacey (RB/WR, Marshall)

Jimmy Rolder (LB, Michigan) — Local visit

Jay Hunt (DT, Cincinnati)

Malcolm Dewalt IV (DB, Akron)

Formal Combine Interviews

Kadyn Proctor (OT, Alabama)

Anthony Hill Jr. (LB, Texas)

Nicholas Singleton (RB, Penn State)

Mansoor Delane (CB, LSU)

T.J. Parker (EDGE, Clemson)

Akheem Mesidor (EDGE, Miami)

Max Iheanachor (OT, Arizona State)

Jaishawn Barham (LB, Michigan)

Enrique Cruz Jr. (OL, Kansas)

Emmanuel Pregnon (OL, Oregon)

Jalen Farmer (IOL, Kentucky)

Bud Clark (S, TCU)

Jadon Canady (CB, Oregon)

Taurean York (LB, Texas A&M)

Darrell Jackson Jr. (DT, Florida State)

Zion Young (EDGE, Missouri)

Tyreke Sapp (EDGE, Florida)

Marlin Klein (TE, Michigan)

Joe Royer (TE, Cincinnati)

Tanner Koziol (TE, Houston)

Cole Payton (QB, North Dakota State)

[Mr.TaterSalad]

Every year since the Brad Holmes era began, most of the players they've drafted in the first round were also 1 of the 30 they had in for a player visit. Same gores for their second round picks as well. The only exceptions in the first round were Jamo and Gibbs, they did not reportedly meet with either of them. Thanks to a poster on Pride of Detroit for this information.

2022–2025:

2025: Top 30 - Williams, Ratledge, TeSlaa

2024: Top 30 - Arnold, Rakestraw

2023: Top 30 - LaPorta, Branch, Hooker, Martin / Campbell - Combine / Gibbs- none

2022: Top 30 - Hutchinson, Kerby / Paschal - Combine / Jamo - none

[RedRamage]

On 4/10/2026 at 12:40 PM, 4hzglory said:

AT 350 he's super athletic - almost Sewell like. -they ran a screen for him also.  At 400 not so much.  If they take him, I have to believe they are confident he is motivated enough to stay there.  As an outsider, I'd be more confident in Blake Miller, but they have a lot more info than me.

This is the big thing for me... now obviously it's possible that Holmes and Campbell are talking themselves into a pick based on need and/or impressive athletic ability. But given how important the "right fit" has always been in terms of attitude and drive and motivation, I find it harder to think that they would get sucked into a player who doesn't have the mental make up that they're looking for.

If they draft Proctor I'd assume that he's got the mental make up to do the job for them until proven otherwise. This is NOT a "Brad and do no wrong" thing... this is more that attitude seems to important to the Lions that I don't see them taking a guy who got great potential but poor attitude.

[RedRamage]

On 4/10/2026 at 1:28 PM, 1984Echoes said:

PS: I want NO part of Proctor. ZERO. ZILCH. ZIPPO. NONE. NUNCA. NYET.

This isn't very clear to me... Are you saying there's a possibility you'd want Proctor?

[sagnam]

Brad Holmes on Rueben Bain report: “We’ve known that for a while”

[MichiganCardinal]

14 hours ago, Mr.TaterSalad said:

They clearly passed on Jalen Carter because of a car accident he was involved in. It was a concern for them then with Carter.

Jalen Carter was street racing drunk drivers at over 100mph, then declined to render aid, and was arrested. In addition to the work ethic and locker room concerns (that have proven true).

Bain effectively rear ended someone on a freeway, causing their death, and was cited. These are not in the same ballpark of facts.

[Mr.TaterSalad]

 

“I’ve said in the past, I thought Borom put out good tape this year. I don’t foresee that—I don’t have a crystal ball—but from what (the) last thing I saw on tape (was) 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 you just kinda look at where the trend is going, where the arrow is going. The last time, they’re still young, but we feel good about both of them. So we don’t feel like we have to supplement them.” - Brad Holmes from today's press conference.

[Mr.TaterSalad]

The more I hear from Brad, the less likely I think it is they take a OT in the first round and just draft whoever their BPA is on their board.

[1984Echoes]

4 hours ago, RedRamage said:

This isn't very clear to me... Are you saying there's a possibility you'd want Proctor?

NIL.

[Motown Bombers]

Why would Holmes publicly state his players are not very good and they are going to draft their replacements? 

[MichiganCardinal]

28 minutes ago, Mr.TaterSalad said:

The more I hear from Brad, the less likely I think it is they take a OT in the first round and just draft whoever their BPA is on their board.

That’s the goal of his statements. It does him no good to say “yeah we’ve got a big hole at edge and RT right now so you best believe, that’s what we are looking to fill at #17.”

Then when they draft Freeling, it’s “he was just the best player on our board!”

Campbell doesn’t believe in coach-speak but Holmes definitely engages in GM-speak.

[Stanley70]

At this point is the O-line even better than last year? Decker is/was better than Borom. Mays is a better pass blocker than Glasgow but they were both below average run blockers. And they have Mohagany and Fraizer again battling it out for LG. 

They may take the BPA with the pick at 17 but what they have brought in on the line so far is not enough if they want improvement.

[Motown Bombers]

6 minutes ago, Stanley70 said:

At this point is the O-line even better than last year? Decker is/was better than Borom. Mays is a better pass blocker than Glasgow but they were both below average run blockers. And they have Mohagany and Fraizer again battling it out for LG. 

They may take the BPA with the pick at 17 but what they have brought in on the line so far is not enough if they want improvement.

Decker was not better than Borom last year. They also have quality depth on the inside now with Scruggs, Frazier and Bartch. 

[Stanley70]

Borom had a 60.7 PFF grade and Decker had a 67.9 grade last year. I know PFF isn't always accurate. But let's see what Decker gets in free agency compared to what Borom received.

[Mr.TaterSalad]

24 minutes ago, Motown Bombers said:

Why would Holmes publicly state his players are not very good and they are going to draft their replacements? 

We sign lots of players each and every offseason. Yet, Brad often doesn't comment on that players positional value or where they will be slotted on the depth chart. Both Holmes and Campbell have specifically singled out Borom as a starter and have now mentioned it multiple times since signing him.

I don't recall them talking about any other guys they've signed this offseason, sans maybe Wonnum, specifically as being a starter. They have alluded to this multiple times with Borom though. They don't have to say he will or won't be a starter, but they have. Either Holmes or Campbell could just as easily say "Yeah look, we really like Larry a lot. We feel he's a talented player and will a big contributor to this team." But they specifically go out of there way to allude to the fact that he very well might be their starting RT.

Edited 3 hours ago by Mr.TaterSalad

[Motown Bombers]

Just now, Mr.TaterSalad said:

We sign lots of players each and every offseason. Yet, Brad often doesn't comment on that players positional value or where they will be slotted on the depth chart. Both Holmes and Campbell have specifically singled out Borom as a starter and have not mentioned it multiple times since signing him. I don't recall them talking about any other guys they've signed this offseason, sans maybe Wonnum, specifically as being a starter. They have alluded to this multiple times with Borom though. They don't have to say he will or won't be a starter, but they have. Either Holmes or Campbell could just as easily say "Yeah look, we really like Larry a lot. We feel he's a talented player and will a big contributor to this team." But they specifically go out of there way to allude to the fact that he very well might be their starting RT.

They said starter level ability. They never said he was a starter. The Lions always speak that way of everyone. They are next man up. They only signed Borom to a one year deal. Obviously they don’t view him as the future tackle. 

[Mr.TaterSalad]

4 minutes ago, Motown Bombers said:

They said starter level ability. They never said he was a starter. The Lions always speak that way of everyone. They are next man up. They only signed Borom to a one year deal. Obviously they don’t view him as the future tackle. 

Campbell specifically said about Borom: “If we don't think he could start, we wouldn't do it (sign him)”. Now maybe that's just Campbell saying he has the ability to start. But the word ability wasn't used there. He specifically said start, which implies to me of him being a starter. We're getting into the semantical weeds and getting to a depends on what the meaning of the word is, is type of debate. Really a go nowhere debate.

So let me ask you this question. Do you personally think the Lions are drafting a starting RT in either the first or second round of this years draft or do you think Larry Borom, come game one of the regular season, will be the starting RT?

[Motown Bombers]

3 minutes ago, Mr.TaterSalad said:

Campbell specifically said about Borom: “If we don't think he could start, we wouldn't do it (sign him)”. Now maybe that's just Campbell saying he has the ability to start. But the word ability wasn't used there. He specifically said start, which implies to me of him being a starter. We're getting into the semantical weeds and getting to a depends on what the meaning of the word is, is type of debate. Really a go nowhere debate.

So let me ask you this question. Do you personally think the Lions are drafting a starting RT in either the first or second round of this years draft or do you think Larry Borom, come game one of the regular season, will be the starting RT?

You’re giving me heartburn. 

[Mr.TaterSalad]

Just now, Motown Bombers said:

You’re giving me heartburn. 

Go take a Pepcid AC then and come back to the message board, where the purpose of a message board is to debate and discuss things.

 

[Motown Bombers]

I mean, it’s literally in your post. Holmes said starter level ability. Why would he say he’s not capable of starting? 

[MichiganCardinal]

[Mr.TaterSalad]

20 minutes ago, Motown Bombers said:

I mean, it’s literally in your post. Holmes said starter level ability. Why would he say he’s not capable of starting? 

I understand it's in my post. And in Campbell's quote it wasn't used. Since we're having a discussion about the draft, do you feel Borom will be their starting RT or do you think they are drafting one in rounds one or two?

[sagnam]

38 minutes ago, Mr.TaterSalad said:

I understand it's in my post. And in Campbell's quote it wasn't used. Since we're having a discussion about the draft, do you feel Borom will be their starting RT or do you think they are drafting one in rounds one or two?

I believe all Brad is saying that he believes Borom can be effective starting games. Why sign depth players if you didn’t think they can provide replacement value?

 

I do believe that Brad will draft an OT in the first unless his favorites are gone, similar to CB in 2023, assuming a similar panic trade up during the position run like 2024 fails to materialize.