Brad Holmes has never been one to follow the common blueprint of addressing the positional need at hand. Instead he has followed his own philosophies of going out and getting those that interview well on visits and fit the mold of what he would like to see in a player. Next, we will explore what we can takeaway from the selections made by the Detroit Lions in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Interior Line emphasis

Utilized two picks to bolster the offense’s interior line with Guards hailing from the SEC. With the departure of Veteran Guard Kevin Zeitler and Graham Glasgow getting up there in age, the two new additions of Tate Ratledge and Miles Frazier should help bolster the depth on the Offensive Line. Both players played in Pro style offenses within the most competitive conference, making their adjustment to the NFL an easier task. On the Defensive side many felt that Detroit would address the edge rushing position early, Brad Holmes would decide to once again strengthen the interior. The Lions would select Tyleik Williams out of Ohio State. Williams is a run-clogging Defensive Tackle who was ranked by the 2025 NFL Draft Consensus Big Board as the second best 1 technique lineman. Williams has displayed the lateral quickness to be a 3 down lineman that is able to line up outside the Guard’s shoulder and rush the QB, despite weighing in at one of the heavier players in his position class. With many experts comparing him to current Lion’s player Alim McNeill there’s no surprise why Holmes was intrigued by him, especially with McNeill slated to be sidelined for much of the year.

Special Teams

Brad Holmes has emphasized on numerous occasions he takes a liking to versatile players who are willing and able to contribute on special teams. An individual on the fringe of making the team can secure a position if he is able to make a difference on kickoff and punt team. Daniel Jackson, Isaac Tesla, and Dominic Lovett are three players that have proven in college that they can be immediate contributors on special teams as they develop into rotational pieces at their respective positions.

High-level one-sheeter of the Detroit Lions 2025 NFL Draft Class: pic.twitter.com/wUdEmYm4L0

— Al Karsten (@FootballGuy_Al) April 28, 2025

Outside weapons

Brad Holmes also expressed interest in getting younger in the receiver unit. The Lions elected to trade up 32 spots with the Jacksonville Jaguars to snag  the Hudsonville, Michigan native Isaac TeSlaa. A big bodied, speedy receiver out of Arkansas. TeSlaa is a raw talent who could possibly be the predecessor to Jameson Williams, if the Lions decide to part ways after his five year tenure is complete. Tesla caught the eye of Holmes at the Senior Bowl mostly notably in his activity as a blocker. Tesla has the potential to lineup on the outside, and present mismatch opportunities standing at 6’4 and boasting a 40 inch vertical leap. TeSlaa averaged 19.5 yards per reception in 2024. The Lions would eventually utilize their last pick on Dominic Lovett a speedy slot receiver out of Georgia who despite his smaller frame showed a willingness to catch passes over the middle in traffic.

In the end, the common theme appears to be grit, versatile players who come from competitive conferences. Brad Holmes drafted 5 players from SEC schools (4 from Georgia) and 1 player from the Big Ten. Although their weren’t a lot of eye popping picks that would garner a high grade from Professionals, the true test will be how these new additions play out between the lines. The Lions didn’t look to address the edge rushing position until the 6th round of the draft with their selection of Ahmed Hassanein. If that pick can produce any level of support to their struggles they will have really hit the jackpot.