Detroit rebooted: Brad Holmes picks Blake Miller, trades up for Derrick Moore to spark a comeback

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Holmes shows urgency by trading up for Moore

The decision to trade up for Moore was a clear sign of intent from Holmes. Moving from No. 50 and giving up No. 128 to get to 44 indicates that Moore wasn’t just a name on the board — he was someone Detroit felt they needed to secure.

When there’s a gap in the pass rush, and you have a player you believe fills it, holding onto a fourth-round pick becomes less important than getting your guy. Moore’s production at Michigan backs up the move, even if some question whether he was taken too early. For Holmes, this wasn’t about draft rankings; it was about finding the right piece for Detroit’s defence.

Defensive focus was clear throughout the draft

Detroit’s approach didn’t change as the draft went on. Across the remaining rounds, the Lions selected Jimmy Rolder, Keith Abney II, Kendrick Law, Skyler Gill-Howard, and Tyre West. Rolder brings youth to the linebacker group after topping Michigan with 73 tackles. Abney adds physicality and nickel depth to the secondary.

Holmes put an emphasis on “football player” qualities throughout this draft class, focusing more on character and fit than pure athletic testing numbers. The Lions clearly targeted players who could step in quickly rather than projects that might take a couple of years to develop.

The heavy focus on defence was a clear response to where Detroit fell short last season. Their pre-draft needs included edge rusher, linebacker, defensive tackle, safety, and cornerback – nearly every position was addressed by Holmes during this draft.

The draft will be judged on whether Detroit can get back to its best

Calling this class “not flashy” is probably the fairest description. The Lions didn’t need to make a splash. They needed reliable fixes in key areas – the offensive line, pass rush, and overall defensive depth.

Miller strengthens the line. Moore boosts the edge opposite Hutchinson. And the rest of the defensive additions show a front office that understood exactly what needed fixing after 2025.

Holmes approached this draft like someone who had watched his team drift from its identity and decided the way back was through the trenches. It wasn’t about being clever; it was about being clear-headed and practical, which is what this roster needed.

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