INDIANAPOLIS – The Lions contingent of front office, coaching and scouting departments are in Indianapolis this week for the annual NFL Scouting Combine.
Lions general manager Brad Holmes spoke to the media Tuesday to kick off the week. Here are all the key questions from his media session.
When it comes to roster building this offseason, what is the priority for Holmes and the Lions?
Last offseason, Holmes had to focus on rebuilding a depleted secondary with the additions of Carlton Davis III (trade), Terrion Arnold (draft), Amik Robertson (free agency) and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (draft).
It was important in 2022 and 2023 to get some explosive offensive weapons with the additions of Jameson Williams, Jahmyr Gibbs and Sam LaPorta.
Don't be surprised this offseason if Holmes really looks to bolster the trenches on both sides of the ball.
"The trenches are always going to be a priority for us," Holmes said. "I just think that's where the game is won. Dan (Campbell) and I are aligned on that. You can just never really have enough of those guys."
How aggressive does Holmes plan to be in the high-end free agent or trade market this offseason?
The Lions are at a junction with their roster where they have identified a number of core young players they want to keep around long-term, and that could come at the expense of being serious players in the high-end free agent or trade market.
"You just can't have everybody," Holmes said.
There are a lot of really good players Holmes has drafted over the last four years. The team has already taken care of wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, tackle Penei Sewell and defensive lineman Alim McNeill with extensions. Holmes said they've already started planning an extension for defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson. Then there's players like Williams and safety Kerby Joseph coming due soon and a year from now safety Brian Branch, LaPorta and Gibbs will be available for extensions.
"That stuff starts adding up and you have to make some tough decisions. We've already started a lot of that work already in terms of the preparation, planning and forecasting," Holmes said. "Because whatever you do this year is going to impact financially the next year after as well."
Holmes has always preferred the method of draft, develop and re-sign their own. It seems like there will be a limit to how much he is willing to spend this offseason with contract extensions coming due on the cap next year and future extensions he'd like to do with his own players in the near future.
"You want to keep the known good players," Holmes said. "You don't want to compromise them to overspend on unknowns."
Holmes said what happened to the roster from an injury standpoint this season really reaffirmed the importance of adding depth all over the roster more than maybe trying to get a marquee free agent. He said depth is a huge and critical piece to his philosophy of roster building.
How does Holmes view this year's defensive line group in the NFL Draft?
A lot of draft analysts leading up to this week's Combine have raved about this year's defensive line draft class, both on the edge and the interior. Some consider it the most talented and deep defensive line class the draft has ever seen.
Does Holmes agree?
"I've always been close to the vest about talking about strengths and weaknesses in the draft because it's very subjective," he said. "But this one here, me and Ray Agnew were looking at the totality of just, yeah, it's a lot deeper than what we can remember at least in the past couple years and that's both inside and out, for sure."
The Lions could certainly be in the market to add talent and depth along the defensive line this offseason.
How excited is Holmes for the addition of new running backs coach Tashard Choice?
Holmes said Choice is a name that's held a lot of weight in the college ranks for a long time and he's ecstatic the Lions were able to get him on their coaching roster.
"He coached Jahmyr at Georgia Tech, which is huge, but he's one of those ones that I never would have thought we'd be able to get him and was just so glad we were able to land him," Holmes said.
Holmes said Choice and all the new coaching hires from offensive coordinator John Morton to defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard and right down the list are good fits and great teachers.
"I just give Dan so much credit in terms of the patience that he displayed throughout the process," Holmes said. "When you lose two great coordinators like we did and other position coaches as well. To be able to add and replenish like we were able to, I thought that's just an incredible job by Dan."
View photos of Detroit Lions players at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Florida linebacker Alex Anzalone runs a drill during the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday, March 5, 2017 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Florida linebacker Alex Anzalone runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 5, 2017. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Alabama defensive back Terrion Arnold runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 1, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Alabama defensive back Brian Branch runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Alabama defensive back Brian Branch runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
University of Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater looks on at the 2014 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, on February 23, 2014. (AP Photo/Johnny Vy)
Iowa linebacker Jack Campbell runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, March 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Charleston defensive lineman John Cominsky runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 3, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
UTSA defensive lineman Marcus Davenport runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 4, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Auburn defensive back Carlton Davis runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Monday, March 5, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Ohio State offensive lineman Taylor Decker during a drill at the NFL football scouting combine Friday, Feb. 26, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Rice kicker Jack Fox runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 1, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Michigan offensive lineman Graham Glasgow runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Friday, Feb. 26, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
California quarterback Jared Goff runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
California quarterback Jared Goff performs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker speaks during a news conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Michigan defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson runs during a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 5, 2022, in Indianapolis. Hutchinson is expected to be taken in the NFL Draft. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
Michigan defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (31) participates in a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 5, 2022 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Illinois defensive back Kerby Joseph runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 6, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Illinois defensive back Kerby Joseph (54) participates in a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 6, 2022. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
Iowa tight end Sam Laporta runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Iowa tight end Sam Laporta runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Boston College offensive lineman Christian Mahogany runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 3, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Iowa State running back David Montgomery runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 1, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Iowa State running back David Montgomery runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 1, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Miami defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad competes in the vertical jump at the 2017 NFL football scouting combine Sunday, March 5, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Arkansas offensive lineman Frank Ragnow watches during the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 2, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Missouri defensive back Ennis Rakestraw Jr. runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 1, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Tennessee linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 5, 2017. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Louisiana Tech defensive back Amik Robertson watches the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2020. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Penn State wide receiver Allen Robinson makes a catch during a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Oklahoma State linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez (28) participates in the broad jump at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
Arkansas offensive lineman Dan Skipper runs the 40 yard dash during the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Friday, March 3, 2017 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Arkansas offensive lineman Dan Skipper runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2017. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Kentucky defensive lineman Za'Darius Smith runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Utah defensive back Sione Vaki runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 1, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Georgia Southern defensive back Kindle Vildor runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
LSU defensive lineman Mekhi Wingo runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Wisconsin offensive lineman Kevin Zeitler runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
How did Holmes like the development of first-round draft pick Terrion Arnold through the course of his rookie season?
"He just has to keep continuing to work on his fundamentals from a technique standpoint," Holmes said. "He's wired right. He has the right attitude. Again, he took some lumps early, had some aggressive penalties early in the year, but like I said at the end of the season, the waters kind of calmed halfway through.
"He's a very coachable player. He cares. He's passionate. He's prideful. He's going to do the necessary things. He wants to be a great player, so I have no doubt he's going to continue to develop. Got a lot of excitement for Terrion."
Will the Lions have the resources to bring in a big-time edge rusher opposite Hutchinson in free agency?
It's hard to find high-quality pass rushers and even harder to keep them because it's such a priority position for all 32 teams around the league.
Holmes was asked point blank at the end of his session if they can add a high-priced pass rusher this offseason to pair opposite Hutchinson.
"Probably not," he said.
