It's draft week in the NFL and that means 32 teams around the league are going to add exciting, young talent to their rosters they hope can have a direct impact on winning.
Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes is about to partake in his fifth draft running the Lions' front office. If the fifth is anything like the first four, the Lions are about to bring in a lot of promising young talent.
Holmes has always trusted his draft board and selected the best available player and isn't afraid of moving up to get a player or back to gain assets. Teams want to come out of the draft with multiple players who add overall talent to the roster, but if they also fill some needs, the team can take a big leap forward.
Holmes has been one of the best drafters over the last four cycles acquiring what's now the young core of this roster in tackle Penei Sewell (first round), defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (first), running back Jahmyr Gibbs (first), linebacker Jack Campbell (first), wide receiver Jameson Williams (first), cornerback Terrion Arnold (first), tight end Sam LaPorta (second), safety Brian Branch (second), safety Kerby Joseph (third), defensive lineman Alim McNeill (third) and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (fourth).
With seven picks total this year, Holmes will be on the lookout for more impact players. This is the most complete roster Holmes has had entering the draft, but adding young talent and depth is still the goal.
Here's a look at where Detroit could still use some depth on the roster:
1. EDGE RUSHER
It just so happens this is one of the best defensive line classes to come through an NFL Draft in a decade or so and it's a particularly strong group of edge rushers. That means even if Detroit goes a different route with the 28th pick in the first round, there are going to be edge rushers taken well into Day 2 of the draft who are expected to come in and have an immediate impact.
Detroit gets Hutchinson back after he missed most of last season with a broken leg. He's a top 5 edge rusher in the NFL. On the other side, the team re-signed Marcus Davenport and hopes he can stay healthy and be an impact player after missing all but two games last year due to injury. Al-Quadin Muhammad showed some promise last year, and Levi Onwuzurike and Josh Paschal can play the edge too, but both are more effective inside.
Detroit was among the league leaders in quarterback hurries last season, but their 37 sacks ranked 23rd. It would be nice to come out of this draft with another edge rusher they can put opposite Hutchinson who can give them some juice and productivity coming off the edge.
2. SAFETY
Detroit has arguably the best safety duo in the NFL in Joseph and Branch, but they don't have a ton of playing experience on the roster behind those two.
The Lions signed veteran cornerback Avonte Maddox this offseason and Holmes said he has the versatility to play nickel and safety, which Holmes was excited about.
Adding a young safety to improve the depth and learn behind two of the best in the business could certainly be an option for the Lions coming out of the draft.
3. INTERIOR OFFENSIVE LINE
The Detroit Lions had one of the best offensive lines in football last year but lost starting right guard Kevin Zeitler in free agency.
With Detroit currently selecting at the end of the first round (No. 28), there could be terrific value in selecting one of the best interior offensive linemen in the class late on the first night.
Veteran Graham Glasgow is back but coming off a bit of a down season by his standards. Christian Mahogany made some spot starts as a rookie and looked good doing so. Is he ready for a bigger role? Lions head coach Dan Campbell said this offseason Giovanni Manu could play some guard this offseason too. How will that work out?
Holmes is staying in contact with some veterans on the free-agent market and could still sign one, but adding a promising rookie to the mix could very much be an option.
View photos of the top edge rusher prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Oregon defensive end Jordan Burch (1) dodges California offensive lineman Barrett Miller (62) during the first half of an NCAA football game against California, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Eugene, Ore. Oregon won 63-19.(AP Photo/Amanda Loman)
Oregon defensive lineman Jordan Burch runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter (11) during the Fiesta Bowl College Football Playoff game against Boise State, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter (11) sacks Southern California quarterback Miller Moss (7) during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Oct.12, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Boston College defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku (6) defends against SMU during the first half of an NCAA college football game in University Park, Texas, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Boston College defensive lineman Donovan Ezeiruaku participates in a drill during the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine on Thursday, February 27, 2025 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Louisville defensive lineman Ashton Gillotte (9) pursues Boston College wide receiver Lewis Bond (11) during the first half of an NCAA football game on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, in Chestnut Hill, Mass. (AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper)
Louisville defensive lineman Ashton Gillotte runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
National team defensive lineman Mike Green of Marshall (15) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Marshall defensive lineman Mike Green lifts weights at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, Feb. 28, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Arkansas defensive lineman Landon Jackson (40) runs a play against Mississippi during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Arkansas defensive lineman Landon Jackson participates in a drill during the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine on Thursday, February 27, 2025 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
LSU defensive end Sai'vion Jones (35) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Alabama in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
LSU defensive end Sai'vion Jones runs through drills during the school's NFL football pro day in Baton Rouge, La., Wednesday, March 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Tennessee defensive lineman James Pearce Jr. (27) lines up for a play during an NCAA football game against Arkansas on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Fayetteville, Ark. Arkansas won 19-14. (AP Photo/Mike Buscher)
Tennessee defensive lineman James Pearce Jr. runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
South Carolina edge Kyle Kennard (5) plays against Vanderbilt during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
South Carolina defensive lineman Kyle Kennard runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Ohio State defensive end Jack Sawyer (33) rushes during the Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal game against Texas, Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)
Ohio State defensive lineman Jack Sawyer runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Texas A&M's Nic Scourton (11) celebrates a defensive stop during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Auburn, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
Texas A&M defensive lineman Nic Scourton runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Texas edge defender Barryn Sorrell (88) rushes Georgia quarterback Carson Beck during the first half an NCAA football game, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Thomas)
Texas defensive lineman Barryn Sorrell runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Texas A&M's Shemar Stewart (4) defends during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Auburn, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
Texas A&M defensive lineman Shemar Stewart runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Michigan defensive end Josaiah Stewart (5) in action during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Minnesota Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Michigan defensive end Josaiah Stewart (0) celebrates after sacking Fresno State quarterback Mikey Keene, bottom, in the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)
Ohio State defensive end JT Tuimoloau celebrates after tackling Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love during first half of the College Football Playoff national championship game Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Ohio State defensive end JT Tuimoloau runs a drill during the school's NFL football pro day, Wednesday, March 26, 2025, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Mississippi defensive end Princely Umanmielen (1) rushes against Duke, during the second half of the Gator Bowl NCAA college football game in Jacksonville, Fla., Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)
Mississippi defensive lineman Princely Umanmielen runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker (11) follows a play against Florida during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker (11) sets up for a play against Alabama during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
National team defensive lineman David Walker of Central Arkansas (33) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Central Arkansas defensive lineman David Walker runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Georgia defensive lineman Mykel Williams (13) sets up for a play against Florida during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Georgia's Mykel Williams runs a drill during the school's NFL Pro Day, Wednesday, March, 12, 2025, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)
4. DEFENSIVE TACKLE
Holmes feels pretty good about the depth he's built along the defensive line, especially inside at defensive tackle.
Detroit returns starters Alim McNeill and DJ Reader, but McNeill might not be ready for the start of the season after tearing his ACL in December. The team re-signed Onwuzurike and Pat O'Connor, retained Paschal and Mekhi Wingo, and signed veteran Roy Lopez in free agency.
That doesn't mean Holmes won't look to add some more young talent via a very strong interior defensive line group in this year's NFL Draft. There are a number of players along the interior of Detroit's defensive front who are signed only through the 2025 season, including Reader, Onwuzurike, Paschal and O'Connor.
5. WIDE RECEIVER
The Lions return their top four wide receivers from last season. Why did this make the cut? Hear me out.
Veteran Tim Patrick is on a one-year deal and Kalif Raymond is on the final year of the two-year extension he signed in 2024. What is the long-term future of Williams? Holmes said the plan is to pick up the fifth-year option on Williams' rookie contract for the 2026 season before May's deadline. But what is his future after that? Can the Lions afford to re-sign him with St. Brown already making top receiver money? Holmes has drafted so well over the last four seasons that some tough decisions and some big bills are coming due. It will be hard for Detroit to re-sign all of their young talent.
It's not a bad idea to start looking ahead and having a plan B at the receiver position just in case. This is a good group with a lot of speed and adding a youngster to the room to start molding could make sense.
