2026 Detroit Lions Offseason Thread

[Nate7474]

2 minutes ago, RedRamage said:

WHAT? No... NFL GMs never lie! You clearly don't know what you're talking about.

I know, I know big shocker. I was absolutely floored when I found that out. With that said I absolutely believe they will draft a OT in one of the first 2 rounds. Other positions I could see in the 1st are LB, DE  and believe it or not TE if they love the guy from Oregon and Laporta has long term concerns. The new OC loves TE options and well we have one as a headcoach. 

[1984Echoes]

I'm just going to WAG that in the 1st two rounds of this year's NFL draft...

The Lions will draft a... LT, and a DE.

Not necessarily in that order.

[Mr.TaterSalad]

48 minutes ago, buddha said:

They draft for need all the time.  they talk **** about bpa and turn around and draft corner and dt, both were positions of need.

they will draft a left tackle unless they sign another free agent.  and then they still might.  if they do, its bye bye manu.

Again, they draft for need when it aligns with BPA. They traded up to get Terrion Arnold, so clearly they saw him as both filling a need and getting the BPA on their board. Last year was the closest I think they've come in the first round to leaning more towards the need category. If it were a 1-10 scale, with 1 being closer to drafting for needs and 10 being closer to drafting for BPA, I'd say Brad is typically at a 7 or 8 on that scale.

[Mr.TaterSalad]

1 hour ago, RedRamage said:

I won't be astonished. Holmes does NOT reach based on position. Now, if it's like the OT on the board they have rated 2 and the LB on the board they have rated, the sure... but if they see someone they better even if it's not a position of need, they'll take that over the OT.

Exactly this. Holmes will draft for need in the first round, but it has to align with being the best player available on his board and that player having a first round grade. I'd like them to draft a tackle in the first round, but won't be shocked if they don't. If the right player at that position doesn't fall to them and guys at the tackle position that are available don't have a first round grade or they have other players, at other positions, graded higher than the tackle/s that are available at pick #17, I think they are going another direction.

[Motown Bombers]

Like this move

 

[Motown Bombers]

 

[Mr.TaterSalad]

For the record, I want them to draft a tackle and think if the right player at the tackle position falls to them at #17, they will draft one. But they aren't going to reach for a tackle that they have a second round grade on at #17. If all the guys at tackle that they have a first round grade on are gone by the time they pick, and there are other players at other positions they have graded out higher, they're picking a different position.

If Player A is a tackle and they have a second round grade on him and have him slotted somewhere between #33 and #40 on their board, and Player B is is let's say DE for the sake of argument and they have a first round grade on him and he's somewhere between #15-#25 on their board, I think they draft Player B. They take talent  culture fit over need when possible.

Edited 4 hours ago by Mr.TaterSalad

[ewsieg]

4 hours ago, Motown Bombers said:

Montgomery was a luxury. When he signed, Jamaal Williams was a free agent and we had Swift. Swift struggled with injuries and hadn’t proven to be a number one yet. Gibbs is the number one and one of the three best backs in the league. This isn’t a 1A/1B situation anymore. This is clearly RB2. 

I mean by the end of last year, Montgomery was clearly RB2.  Pacheco a solid backup pick.  I was assuming we'd get our backup in the 4th / 5th round so this is an upgrade over that line of thinking, at least for the next year.

[NYLion]

5 hours ago, Mr.TaterSalad said:

Love the Pacheco signing. This is a really solid #2 RB to replace Montgomery.

I'm not so crazy about it. I loved him like 3 years ago then he had a serious injury and hasn't been the same since. I think this is a significant downgrade if we're getting the Pacheco of the last two seasons.

[Motown Bombers]

Pacheco had only two fewer broken tackles than Montgomery in fewer carries. I think he’s fine as an RB2

[NYLion]

2 hours ago, Jason_R said:

I would be astonished if they don't use their first on an OT who they expect to lock down the position for another ten years. 

Holmes is unpredictable. I wouldn't be overly shocked if he took Jeremiah Love for instance if he dropped to 17. He's never cared about need or position and he'll go into the season with these tackles if he doesn't see a tackle he likes in the draft.

[number20]

Cheap one year rental ("up to" $5.5M). I know the Lions have two starting corners, but would you have signed him if you were Holmes?

 

[MichiganCardinal]

I don’t think it’s about drafting for need. Of course you draft for need. They’re not taking a QB, WR, or RB at #17, because they don’t need one.

It’s about not forcing your hand. At #17, what if the best defensive player on the board is inexplicably there, because six teams in the top 16 took an offensive tackle. It’s bad business to resign yourself to taking the 7th best tackle because you didn’t prepare for the possibility in free agency.

[number20]

Wow, Ravens backing out of the Maxx Crosby deal

 

[Motown Bombers]

I'm guessing a failed physical. 

[Sports_Freak]

 

[Hongbit]

Yep.  The injury had to be more than advertised.  

[Motown Bombers]

 

[Motown Bombers]

I'm glad for once the rug pulled out from under a different fan base who thought they were getting a Pro Bowl player. 

[Mr.TaterSalad]

Maxx Crosby is injured and maybe more so than expected. Paging Brad Holmes, Brad Holmes to the service desk. Buying low on injured players who are talented is Brad's MO. Go get em Brad haha.

[Mr.TaterSalad]

13 minutes ago, Hongbit said:

Yep.  The injury had to be more than advertised.  

Is he not a quintessential Brad Holmes player now?

A talented player with an injury history. Check!

Said injury history reduces the players market value. Check!

Guy who eats, sleeps, and breathes football. Check!

Guy who is a lockerroom leader. Check!

 

[Motown Bombers]

There is no buy low on Crosby. His contract is massive. The Lions wouldn't even trade a 7th round pick for him. 

[sagnam]

28 minutes ago, MichiganCardinal said:

I don’t think it’s about drafting for need. Of course you draft for need. They’re not taking a QB, WR, or RB at #17, because they don’t need one.

It’s about not forcing your hand. At #17, what if the best defensive player on the board is inexplicably there, because six teams in the top 16 took an offensive tackle. It’s bad business to resign yourself to taking the 7th best tackle because you didn’t prepare for the possibility in free agency.

Then you trade down. Someone wants that defensive player.

 

And it was bad business not to move up and get a tackle if you put all your eggs in the draft basket.

Edited 2 hours ago by sagnam

[sagnam]

Stay away from Crosby. Far far away. That was the dumbest trade. Old, hurt, and expensive. Pass.

[Mr.TaterSalad]

In all seriousness, as much as it would be game changing for this defense to have a talent like Maxx Crosby on this team and paired opposite of Hutch, it's not happening. Even with Crosby being hurt and that likely reducing his market value and with Holmes' MO to buy lower on injured players who are talented, this still isn't realistic. Either the injury is too serious to gamble on and give up draft capital or the asking price in a trade for him will still be too rich for our blood. And to the point that I know will be brought up "they can't afford him given their current cap situation", they could if they restructured all the necessary contracts.

Anyways, four dollars a pound.