Is the 2026 NFL Draft the most important draft of Brad Holmes’ career?

However, a few years into the 2024 and 2025 draft classes, some of the optimism surrounding Holmes has evaporated. The Lions have found starters like Terrion Arnold or Tate Ratledge, but these classes have thus far lacked the immediate impact that Holmes’ earlier drafts had. The 2024 draft was full of risks—trading up for Arnold, doubling up at cornerback with Ennis Rakestraw, drafting projects like Giovanni Manu and Sione Vaki. The 2025 draft almost felt like a pivot—even when you include the trade up for Isaac TeSlaa, class as a whole felt modest and safe.

I think that the 2026 NFL Draft is the second-most important draft of Holmes’ career because, for arguably the first time, his critics have legitimate ammunition. The Lions’ failure to advance deep into the playoffs in 2024 and failure to make the playoffs in 2025 are partially caused by those draft classes. He has made some gambles that, entering 2026, have yet to pay off. Worse yet, Detroit no longer possesses the hoard of draft capital that Holmes had in his early tenure.

This is the year where Holmes needs to demonstrate his mastery of the NFL draft. He has limited resources—just two top-100 selections entering draft week—and the team has arguably more holes than available draft picks. If his 2026 draft class is successful, that could be enough rekindle Super Bowl aspirations. If his 2026 draft class is unsuccessful, that would give him a streak of three lackluster draft classes in a row—how long would the good will from his early successes last?

How Holmes tackles the 2026 NFL Draft will be telling for the future of the Lions. I do not necessarily buy into the idea of competitive windows, but there is no question that the Lions are in a good position talent-wise and salary-wise. That can only last so long, and part of what makes a good team good is balancing expensive talent with low-cost and impactful young players. As it stands, the Lions are having to re-sign their draft picks from 2021 through 2023, but many of their 2024 and 2025 players have yet to cement their role on the team.

The 2026 NFL Draft will be a pivotal moment for the Detroit Lions under Brad Holmes, but we will likely not know the full extent until many years down the road—hopefully a road that involves a Lombardi Trophy.