Brad Holmes' Draft Magic: Lions' Rise to Contenders

0:00It's April 23rd, NFL News Today starts now, AI-powered and game-ready. I'm Cory with the story. Brad Holmes took over as Detroit Lions General Manager back in January 2021, and he's flipped the script on a team that was straight, trash in the league. Before him, their drafts over five years netted just one all pro player who stuck around. Since then, four of his picks have racked up five first team all pro nods, wide out Amon Rossane Brown with two, Tackle Penae's Soule with three, safety. Kirby Joseph once and Linebacker Jack Campbell once. That draft magic keeps paying off, especially with the 2026 NFL draft kicking off now. Holmes nailed value picks like third round safety, Kirby Joseph, who led the league with nine picks in 2024 and second round Brian. French, a pro-buller, who turned the secondary from week to lockdown. Fans and writers of buzzing because Holmes earned NFL executive of the year for both 2023

1:04and 2024. His halls have built contenders with stars like Running Bag Jamir Gibbs smashing franchise records nearly 2,000 yards from scrimmage and 18 total scores in 2025 and tied in San LaPorta becoming Jared Goff's go-to guy early on. Big deeper and the crown jewel shine, fourth round steel Amon Rossane Brown, now over 6,200 yards and a fan icon despite early. Douts, right Tackle, Penae's Soule, graded top three at his spot, and Ed rusher Aiden Hutchinson, a defensive player of the year finalist with 14 and a half sacks last year after a brutal injury. Holmes built this roster smart, blending elite talent from high picks like Hutchinson and number two overall with late gyms setting the lines up for. Another playoff push while the rest of the league watches his next move.