Brad Holmes, the Detroit Lions GM, has made 16 draft day trades in five years, including three first-round trades. He has targeted various players and included future draft picks in several deals.
Key points
Brad Holmes has made 16 draft day trades as GM.
He has made three first-round trades.
Holmes targeted multiple players in his trades.
Future draft picks were included in four trades.
He never included a first- or second-round pick.
Detroit LionsDerrick BarnesJameson WilliamsBrian Branch
Brad Holmes has been an active trader on draft day, making 16 moves in his first five drafts as Detroit Lions general manager.
Holmes has made three trades in the first round – two to go up and get a player, one to move down – and targeted LB Derrick Barnes, WR Jameson Williams, DB Brian Branch, DT Brodric Martin, CB Terrion Arnold, OL Gio Manu, RB Sione Vaki, DL Mekhi Wingo, OL Tate Ratledge, WR Isaac TeSlaa and OL Miles Frazier in his deals.
Holmes has included future draft picks (but never a first- or second-rounder) in four of those trades and received future picks back three times.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half of the pre-season game against the Houston Texans at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half of the pre-season game against the Houston Texans at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025.
Here's a list of every draft-day trade Holmes has made since 2021 and the value of the picks he's dealt and received (when possible) according to the trade value chart on DraftTek.com.
Draft day trades in 2025 (3)
Round 2— trade up: The Lions traded up three spots, from No. 60 to No. 57, to take Georgia guard Tate Ratledge. The Lions gave the Denver Broncos No. 60 and a fourth-round choice (No. 130 overall) in the deal, and also acquired a seventh-round pick (No. 230) they used on safety Dan Jackson. The Lions gave up 342 points in the deal and received 331 in return.
Q&A
How many draft day trades has Brad Holmes made as GM of the Detroit Lions?
Brad Holmes has made 16 draft day trades in his first five drafts as the Detroit Lions GM.
What players has Brad Holmes targeted in his draft day trades?
Holmes has targeted players such as LB Derrick Barnes, WR Jameson Williams, and DB Brian Branch in his trades.
Did Brad Holmes include future draft picks in his trades?
Yes, Holmes included future draft picks in four of his trades, but never a first- or second-rounder.
What types of trades has Brad Holmes made in the first round?
Holmes has made two trades to move up for a player and one trade to move down in the first round.
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Round 3 — trade up:: The Lions traded up 32 spots from No. 102 (the last pick in the third round) to No. 70 to take Arkansas receiver Isaac TeSlaa. They gave the Jacksonville Jaguars two third-round picks in 2026 — the Lions had an extra third-round compensatory pick for losing Aaron Glenn to the New York Jets — and received two sixth-round picks in return, No. 182 in 2025 and No. 205 this year.
Round 5 — trade up: The Lions traded up 11 spots from No. 182 in the sixth round to No. 171 in the fifth round to take offensive lineman Miles Frazier. Along with No. 182, they gave the New England Patriots a 2025 seventh-round pick (No. 228). They gave up 19.2 points in the deal and received 23 in return.
Draft day trades in 2024 (4)
Round 1 — trade up: The Lions sent Picks No. 29 and 73 to the Dallas Cowboys for No. 24 and a 2025 seventh-round pick. The Lions took CB Terrion Arnold at No. 24. The Lions gave up 866 points in the trade and received 741 back.
Terrion Arnold, a cornerback from the University of Alabama shows off his Detroit Lions jersey with Metro Detroit area athletes after he was picked in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft at the NFL draft theater in Detroit on Thursday, April 25, 2024.
Terrion Arnold, a cornerback from the University of Alabama shows off his Detroit Lions jersey with Metro Detroit area athletes after he was picked in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft at the NFL draft theater in Detroit on Thursday, April 25, 2024.
Round 4 — trade up: The Lions sent a 2025 third-round choice to the New York Jets for No. 126. The Lions took OT Gio Manu at No. 126.
Round 4 — trade up: The Lions sent Nos. 164 and 201 and a 2025 fourth-round choice to the Philadelphia Eagles for Nos. 132 and 210. The Lions took RB Sione Vaki at No. 132.
Round 6 -— trade up: The Lions sent Nos. 205 and 249 to the Houston Texans for No. 189. The Lions took DT Mekhi Wingo at No. 189. The Lions gave up 10 points in the trade and received 15.4 points back.
Draft day trades in 2023 (6)
Round 1 — trade down: The Lions sent Nos. 6 and 81 to the Arizona Cardinals for Nos. 12, 34, 168. The Cardinals took OT Paris Johnson Jr. at No. 6, while the Lions landed RB Jahmyr Gibbs at No. 12 and TE Sam LaPorta at No. 34. The Lions gave up 1,785 points in the trade and received 1,783 back.
Round 2 — trade up: The Lions sent Nos. 48 and 159 to the Green Bay Packers for No. 45. The Lions took DB Brian Branch at No. 45. The Lions gave up 446.6 points in the trade and received 450 points back.
Round 2 — trade down: The Lions sent Nos. 55 and 194 to the Kansas City Chiefs for Nos. 63, 122 and 249. The Chiefs took WR Rashee Rice at No. 55. The Lions gave up 363.4 points and received 327 points back.
Round 2 —trade down: The Lions sent Nos. 63 and 183 to the Denver Broncos for Nos. 68 and 139. The Broncos took WR Marvin Mims Jr. at No. 63. The Lions gave up 292.6 points in the deal and received 286.5 points back.
Round 1 — trade up: The Lions sent Nos. 32, 34 and 66 to the Minnesota Vikings for Nos. 12 and 46. The Lions took WR Jameson Williams at No. 12. The Lions gave up 1,410 points in the deal and received 1,640 points back.
Round 6 — trade down: The Lions sent No. 181 to the Philadelphia Eagles for Nos. 188 and 237. The Eagles took DE Kyron Johnson at No. 181. The Lions gave up 17.4 points in the deal and received 15.6 points back.
Draft day trades in 2021 (1)
Round 4 — trade up: The Lions sent No. 153 and a 2022 fourth-round pick to the Cleveland Browns for Nos. 130 and 257. The Lions took LB Derrick Barnes at No. 130.
