Apparently, rumors surface from the Detroit camp that the Lions are looking for a trade-up in the 2026 NFL draft. CBS’s Jonathan Jones and ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler also confirmed this. But what did Lions general manager Brad Holmes have to say on the matter?

"No did not get called, which I wasn't really surprised. Really, I got a couple of calls a couple of days ago, but I just didn't think that they were just normal, kind of feeling things out. No, we got one call to possibly move that, but that was it in terms of time," said Holmes.

Holmes was clear to state that the solitary call he received was mostly exploratory and nothing concrete to begin with. Although there was one call that he suggested indicated a possible move, even that did not eventually materialize into a serious negotiation.

So far, Holmes has been quite an active trader, making 16 moves in his first five drafts as Detroit Lions general manager. With three trades in the first round he has 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.

The reports, thus, may have been overblown. But exploring the trade market has always been the prerogative of the GM. Any GM would look to make sure that they have viable options before taking the draft plunge, more so when the draft window was shortened from the usual 10-minute window to eight minutes.

Although a trade-up isn't out of the equation, Holmes has shown that he is not averse to making a trade-up to get the player he wants. Over the last two drafts Brad Holmes has made a total of 7 trades that included Tate Ratledge, Isaac TeSlaa among others along with trading up in the first round twice in five years.

While the mystery around the trade-ups has now been cleared, there's no hiding how delighted Holmes is with his no 17 pick, Blake Miller.

Holmes Praises First Round Pick Blake Miller

Brad Holmes had some kind words reserved for his draft pick Blake Miller. Miller was picked with the core idea of commandering the right tackle segment, as Taylor Decker's release has left a void in that department.

"He just checks a lot of boxes. Really high-floor player. I actually was really intrigued. Obviously, he's big, he's tough, he's smart. He's a finisher. He has unbelievable football character, work ethic."

"Everything from a culture standpoint, he fits that. That's the easy part, but his ability is the stuff that, I mean, he's athletic. He's a good athlete, and it's hard to find guys that can move like that, that are finishers, which that's what he is," said Holmes, giving full marks to his fresh recruit.

Indeed, Miller ticks all the boxes. He is the personification of size, toughness, intelligence, and leadership. It's tough to go wrong with a player who has previously played 54 consecutive games and logged a record 3778 snaps.

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Written by

Sourav Ganguly

Edited by

Suyashdeep Sason