Draft night in Detroit is merely two days away. Here is what you can expect from Brad Holmes and the Detroit Lions come Thursday.
Built Ford Tough
It all begins in the trenches. As the 2024 season looms, the Lions are poised to feature a Top 3 Offensive Line (per PFF) for the third consecutive year. Penei Sewell, Aidan Hutchinson, Sam LaPorta, and Amon-Ra St. Brown headline a plethora of talent acquired by Brad Holmes in preceding NFL drafts. One certainty remains: Holmes and Dan Campbell have consistently identified a particular “profile” that has yielded success more often than not.
Trading Up for the “Right” Player
In previous drafts, Brad Holmes has demonstrated the willingness to maneuver up the draft board. Famously achieving this in consecutive drafts with the acquisitions of Jameson Williams (2022 NFL Draft) and Jahmyr Gibbs (2023 NFL Draft). I anticipate that the expected move will not occur on Day 1 but rather in Round 2.
Contenders Regardless of Draft Outcome
There is no doubting the Lions head into the 2024 season with a Top 5 roster. Along with being among the favorites to reach the Super Bowl. I believe most of us would be comfortable putting Detroit ahead of San Francisco if the team were able to add a stand-out, outside Cornerback and Edge Rusher.
Season expectations for Detroit heading into the draft? Retain the NFC North and return to the NFC Championship game. Post-draft? History tells us Brad Holmes will improve this roster. I’m excited for draft night, and what the future holds for the Detroit Lions.
