Detroit Lions GM Brad Holmes analyzes the 2026 free agent class in the first episode of their documentary series 'Inside the Den,' providing insights on new player signings and their potential impact on the team.
Key points
Brad Holmes breaks down the 2026 free agent class.
The documentary series is titled 'Inside the Den.'
Holmes provides insights on each new player signing.
Cade Mays is noted for his improvement at center.
Greg Dortch is highlighted for his punt return skills.
Detroit Lions
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 19: Cade Mays #64 of the Carolina Panthers during the game against the New York Jets on October 19. 2025 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 19: Cade Mays #64 of the Carolina Panthers during the game against the New York Jets on October 19. 2025 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
On Sunday night, the Detroit Lions dropped Episode 1 of their 2026 documentary series āInside the Den.ā Often lauded as the best work the Lions production team does all year, the āInside the Denā docuseries gives fans an *inside* look as to how the team operates, with insightful interviews and behind-the-scenes moments.
This year, their approach to covering free agency was novel. While this episode still has some talking heads interviews and footage of the new free agent signings arriving in Allen Park, the most valuable moments come from general manager Brad Holmes, who breaks down the film of each new addition from the desk in his office. Throughout the 36-minute episode, Holmes provides great insight into why they signed each player and what theyāll be bringing to the team.
You can watch the entire thing below, but here are some interesting quotes about each player he went over:
**C Cade Mays**
**Holmes:** āHis past couple years at center, heās really kept getting better and better at the position. Talk about the ability to pass protect, we have an excellent quarterback. If heās protected, heās deadly. So you take a look at (Mays) here, to be able to anchor, pick up the stunt in the game with ease. The instinctual part of the offensive line play, these are the things that donāt really show up in the highlights.ā
āBeing able to move laterally, stay in front. Thereās an element of angles, and then you see the finish right there.
**OT Larry Borom**
**Holmes:** āHe had probably his most consistent season of football playing at right tackle. Here, straining, creating a lane, staying on his feet. You see right here, again, staying engaged, running his feet. This guy can do a lot of different t hings. [ā¦] He just played good, consistent football. Heās got good feet. He can sit himself down. those are the little nuances you look for when it comes to offensive line play.
**G Ben Bartch**
**Holmes:** āAnother guy thatās athletic. You see him here turning out, staying on his feet, enough bend on his body to finish here. I think heās going to add legit competition. To be able to move at his size, we talk about space play: being able to identify and locate your target and make contact. And, again, you see the finish here. Thatās the type of stuff that weāre talking about.ā
**G/C Juice Scruggs**
āYouāve got a guy that we did a lot of work on in the draft process. So seeing him at guard and seeing how he can just r un off the football, kinda playing our styleāthe wide-zone, gap scheme. He can pull. You see him finishing right here. Thatās the type of identity that we want offensively. You see the guy starting at center too. The ability to snap and pull, make contact, finish. You see him here coming off just playing with the kind of intense style that we like.ā
**EDGE DJ Wonnum**
āHis ability to set edges, to set *physical* edges, and still be able to do some things as a rusher, I think that just made a lot of sense for us. Always liked how hard he plays, his intangible qualities as a football player. But you watch the tape, him being able to maintain the edge, have relentless effort to go and finish on the ball versus an athletic quarterback, you just really appreciate his motor. He has size, he has length.ā
**EDGE Payton Turner**
āWe like his length. Heās tall, heās big, heās got really long arms. You see him here coming off the edge, using those long arms, using his hands, and then being able to be relentless, not stopping and finishing on the football. So we were really happy to add him to the room.ā
**WR Greg Dortch**
āWe always thoughtāthe unfortunate caseāif we lose [Kalif Raymond] then weāre going to take a good, hard, long look at Greg Dortch. Just his ability to return punts and be able to play that role. You see him here, good fielding skills, the ability to make (players) miss, and then just kinda make some magic happen in the open field. You see him here working the slot, man-to-man, good release, good transition out of his break, hands catcher, and then being able to finish in the end zone. I donāt think heās going to be limited in anything he can do.ā
**LB Damone Clark**
āYou know that he can play inside linebacker. You see him here from (the) backside trying to scrape over the top, getting engaged, squaring up, and finishing on the football. A long guy, heās a good athlete. Again, you look at it from the sideline view, you have to know what youāre doing. His movement skills, and all that, and then he sees the ball out, and he can trigger the finish. I think heās going to be another good addition to our room, but also his ability to help out on special teams, as well.ā
**CB Roger McCreary**
āBeen more of a nickel, but he can also play outside. You see him here transition, pedalling, maintaining depth, and then making a play on the football. I think heās going to be a versatile guy. You see him here blitzing from the nickel spot and just coming with urgency, ability to finish on the quarterback. Roger is definitely one thatās been able to it all.ā
**DB Christian Izien**
āHe can do a lot of things at the nickel position. You can see him here, first to the flats, driving on the football, a good job being able to finish. And then you kinda see him here at safety, being able to line up back in the post and trigger and finish on the football. I think the toughness, the grit, the ability to finish and put his face in there. [ā¦] Heās going to fit right in here. Kind of best of both worlds when you can find a guy that has versatility on defense but also heās been a really good special teams player, as well.ā
**TE Tyler Conklin**
āJust kinda getting a balanced player that has been in the division. He can contribute in both phases, but you see him here lined up at fullback. To be able to line up, go ahead, release, hit the corner and then being able to catch the football and stay in boundsāreally like that part of his game. For him to be able to block back side on the edge, get his hands inside, have the feet, the bend, the lateral agility to stay in front of the defender. Just a balanced component of his game is really going to complement the rest of the room very, very well.ā
**RB Isiah Pacheco**
āHeās an angry runner. Heās got vision. He can cut. He can catch out of the backfield. His ability to break tackles, keep his balance and then still finish. You can just see the relentlessness of him as a football player. Regardless of how fast you are, how much burst you have, you have to know where youāre going first. [ā¦] You can see him right here being able to cut off this, press it, go, and then you see him just finish behind his pads.ā
Q&A
What insights did Brad Holmes provide about Cade Mays?
Brad Holmes highlighted Cade Mays' improvement at center, emphasizing his ability to pass protect and his instinctual play on the offensive line.
How did the Lions approach free agency in their 2026 documentary?
The Lions' documentary featured a novel approach by including detailed film breakdowns from GM Brad Holmes, alongside interviews and footage of new signings.
What are the strengths of EDGE DJ Wonnum according to Brad Holmes?
Holmes praised DJ Wonnum for his ability to set physical edges and his relentless effort as a rusher, noting his size and motor as key attributes.
What role is Greg Dortch expected to play for the Lions?
Greg Dortch is expected to contribute as a punt returner and slot receiver, showcasing skills in fielding and making plays in the open field.
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