Lions' Draft: Tackles & Rushers Top Holmes' List

0:00On April 1st, the Detroit Lions are gearing up for the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, kicking off April 23rd through 25th. They head in with 9 picks after some trades, including first round pick 17, second round pick 50, two fourth rounders at picks 1, 18 and 128, and picks in the fifth, sixth and seventh rounds. No third rounders this time since they dealt them last year for Isaac Tesla, free agency helped, but holes remain, especially at left tackle after cutting Taylor Decker. Their eye and guys like Blake Miller from Clemson or Kaden Proctor from Alabama at pick 17. Ed rusher needs youth too, with names like Akim Mesidor from Miami floating around early, or Gabe Jockis later. Cornerback depth and safety backups are on the radar amid injuries to Kirby Joseph and Brian Branch. Lions GM Brad Holmes has nailed first rounders lately. Penae Sule at pick 7 in 2021, Aiden Hutchinson at 2 in 2022.

1:03Jammer Gibbs at 12 in 2023. Those studs got massive extensions, like Hutchinson's 180 million deal. Recent picks like Terry and Arnold and Tyler Williams are still proving it, but the pattern shows early picks hit big. Holmes' words magic beyond round 1, too. Aemon Rossane Brown from the fourth, plus Derek Barnes and Malcolm Rodriguez thriving mid-round. They need a few starters from this class to keep contending. With the draft weeks away, expect Holmes to target tackles and pass rushers first, building on that draft track record to push for another deep. Playoff run. This has been NFL News Today, powered by AI. I'm Corey with the story.