Lions GM Brad Holmes Faces Criticism for NFL Draft Mistakes
Sport Bilder des Tages INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 01: Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes answers questions from the media during the NFL, American Football Herren, USA Scouting Combine on March 1, 2022, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, IN. Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire NFL: MAR 01 Scouting Combline Icon2203014132
Sport Bilder des Tages INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 01: Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes answers questions from the media during the NFL, American Football Herren, USA Scouting Combine on March 1, 2022, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, IN. Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire NFL: MAR 01 Scouting Combline Icon2203014132
Detroit Lions GM Brad Holmes is facing heat for his 2024 NFL Draft strategy. Former NFL All-Pro Braylon Edwards sharply criticized Holmes for a perceived lack of urgency. Edwards believes a key mistake cost the Lions a potential star cornerback.
On a recent episode of WoodwardSports, Former NFL All-Pro Braylon Edwards discussed how Holmes has been building the Lions roster all these years. During the segment, he expressed dissatisfaction with the outcome of the 2024 NFL Draft.
"I wish the 2024 draft would have been met with a little more sense of urgency coming off the NFC Championship appearance cause you did well in the offseason."
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 01: Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes answers questions from the media during the NFL, American Football Herren, USA Scouting Combine on March 1, 2022, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, IN. Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire NFL: MAR 01 Scouting Combline Icon2203014108
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 01: Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes answers questions from the media during the NFL, American Football Herren, USA Scouting Combine on March 1, 2022, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, IN. Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire NFL: MAR 01 Scouting Combline Icon2203014108
The Lions signed defensive stars like D. J. Reader, Amik Robertson, and Carlton Davis III, whom Edwards called "the best DB we've had here since Slay." The NFL All-Pro was impressed by all that. But he did not like how Bard Holmes did in the 2024 NFL draft. He said:
"Once you got to the draft, this was a question that somebody said that was sitting there years ago. When the draft was here, in 2024, the draft was downtown. It was, would you trade the pick or would you do some Brad Holmes stuff to package the pick to move up to go get a different player or get out of the round for more if you trade somebody, etc.?"
The host argued that the Lions did not trade it because it was a first-rounder. But Edwards also had a counter. "Because you wanted to draft somebody, with the drafts in your city. You can't have a draft in your city and not draft anybody," he said.
Edwards wanted Brad Holmes to draft Quinyon Mitchell from the University of Toledo, which is only about 1 hour drive from Detroit. The Philadelphia Eagles, who had the 22nd pick, ultimately drafted Mitchell. Edwards believes Brad Holmes could have traded up to secure Quinyon Mitchell.
And There's a Reason Edwards Says That
Fans know all about Holmes at the NFL Drafts. He's been known to trade up for his picks. Just last year, he went from No. 60 to No. 57 in Round 2 through a trade with the Broncos.
Similarly, back in 2024, getting the No. 24 pick came through a trade-up. The team sent their No. 29 and 73 picks to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a first-round pick and a 2025 seventh-round pick. Knowing Holmes, could we have seen a better deal come through and the team getting Quinyon Mitchell?
He certainly found success with the Eagles, going on to win the Super Bowl against the Chiefs. In their run to the playoffs, he made several interceptions to turn the tide for the Eagles.
Perhaps Brad Holmes has learnt his lesson this time, and uses it to bring in a solid O-line star or an edge rusher to the team at the 2026 NFL Draft.
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Written by
Reyansh Dubey
Edited by
Siddharth Shirwadkar