Brad Holmes Projected to Cut $4M Player who failed to protect Jared Goff
OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 03: Oakland Raiders Defensive End Maxx Crosby 98 rushes across the line during the NFL, American Football Herren, USA game between the Detroit Lions and Oakland Raiders on November 3, 2019 at RingCentral Coliseum in Oakland, CA. Photo by Bob Kupbens/Icon Sportswire NFL: NOV 03 Lions at Raiders PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxDENxONLY Icon19110333
OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 03: Oakland Raiders Defensive End Maxx Crosby 98 rushes across the line during the NFL, American Football Herren, USA game between the Detroit Lions and Oakland Raiders on November 3, 2019 at RingCentral Coliseum in Oakland, CA. Photo by Bob Kupbens/Icon Sportswire NFL: NOV 03 Lions at Raiders PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxDENxONLY Icon19110333
The Detroit Lions may be forced into a tough decision before the draft. A $4 million offensive tackle linked to protecting Jared Goff is now on thin ice.
Andrew Hughes of Detroit Jock City reported that ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, GM Brad Holmes may release offensive tackle Giovanni Manu.
The Detroit Lions drafted Manu with the 126th pick in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Manu became the first player from the University of British Columbia to be selected in the NFL Draft.
According to Spotrac, Manu landed a rookie four-year contract at $4 million. With a $725,600 signing bonus, he would be released as a free agent by 2028, if the Lions do not extend his contract.
Giovanni Manu is primarily known for his highly athletic ability and his exceptional body frame, measuring 6 ft 8 in, weighing 350 pounds. However, he was not much of a help for the Lions in the previous season.
Image Credits: Zach Bolinger/Imago
Image Credits: Zach Bolinger/Imago
In 2025, he appeared in four games for the Detroit Lions, out of which he started in just one.
According to Pro Football Focus, he just played for 69 offensive snaps and generated two total pressures in the pass protection. He earned a PFF grade of 43.5.
According to CBS Sports, Manu suffered from a knee injury while playing against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 5.
The knee injury kept him sidelined for over two months, with the team designating him to return to practice on December 18, 2025. However, he was not cleared to play that season.
Manu was grading out poorly in pass protection last season. However, he may have survived the free agency blitz based on his training camp performance.
But if Holmes finds a better developmental prospect, he may start Larry Borom over Manu and leave his future with the Lions in jeopardy.
Brad Holmes Explores Alternative Roster Options for the Lions
If GM Brad Holmes looks to move on from Giovanni Manu, the 2026 NFL Draft offers immediate alternatives.
One name that fits the Lions’ profile is Blake Miller out of Clemson.
According to Pride of Detroit, Miller has played 808 offensive snaps in the last season while posting a PFF grade of 76.8.
He is known for balance and control in pass protection, rarely getting out of position. That matters in Detroit’s system, where keeping Jared Goff clean is the priority. Miller would be a “plug-and-play” option for the Lions.
Another option is OT Kadyn Proctor from the Alabama Crimson Tide. According to CBS Sports, Proctor is pointed out as one of the top tackle prospects in this class.
Proctor logged a heavy 878 offensive snaps in the SEC and graded as 85.4 PFF, showing power at the point of attack.
His strength stands out in the run game, but he’s also shown improvement in pass sets against top-tier competition.
Either way, both offer something Manu hasn’t consistently provided in the past two seasons. As for Holmes, that’s the direction this decision leans.
Read more at the Detroit Lions Community!
Written by
Kunwar Yashaswee Chhaunker
Edited by
Rishab Nandi