What NFL Draft selection 29th round Brad Holmes of the Lions finds appealing.
The Detroit Lions, fresh off their most successful season in 32 years, find themselves in unfamiliar territory with their latest draft pick ever. This presents new challenges for roster building, especially for a team accustomed to top-10 picks in recent drafts. However, Brad Holmes, experienced in navigating the draft board during his tenure in Detroit, sees advantages in holding the 29th overall pick, such as increased flexibility to maneuver around the draft.
Holmes compared this situation to last year’s draft, where having multiple second-round picks allowed for strategic moves, like trading up for Brian Branch and later trading down to acquire assets before ultimately landing Hendon Hooker. He views the current position as exciting due to the potential for various scenarios to unfold, emphasizing the focus on finding the best football player rather than being in a top-10 spotlight.
Holmes has been active in trades since joining the Lions, notably acquiring Jared Goff and multiple draft picks in exchange for Matthew Stafford. He’s made shrewd moves, including trading back and forth to maximize value from draft picks. Notably, he turned the seventh overall pick in 2023 into multiple selections, leading to impactful rookie additions such as Jahmyr Gibbs and Sam LaPorta.
Despite having the 29th pick, Holmes may choose to stay put this year, considering the depth at positions of need like wide receiver and cornerback. He acknowledges the importance of the draft’s personal evaluation process, highlighting the value of face-to-face interviews despite the limitations at the combine.
Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell are attending the NFL Scouting Combine to assess top prospects firsthand, prioritizing personal interactions over drill performances, which often confirm existing data. While some teams opt out of the combine, Detroit sees value in these interviews, which provide insights beyond statistical measures.
