Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes says he doesn’t draft for need.
“I think you can get in trouble chasing these sometimes and then you’re dependent on a rookie,” Holmes said prior to the 2025 NFL Draft and countless times before that.
Yet when you look at the Lions’ draft class this year, it covered many of the team’s long-term needs. Whether by coincidence or intention, the Lions got their interior defender of the future, a pair of guards to contend for open starting spots, their potential long-term X-receiver, they safety depth they needed, and, yes, even a developmental edge defender who could grow into a significant contributor.
If you take a look at the Lions’ current depth chart, it’s looking pretty darn good.
Today’s Question of the Day is:
What is the Lions’ biggest post-draft need?
My answer: Despite the addition of Dan Jackson in the seventh round, I still think this team could use more trusted depth behind their safeties. If Kerby Joseph or Brian Branch suffered an injury, the Lions would be forced to start either Morice Norris, Loren Strickland, Erick Hallett, or Jackson. Those players have a collective one defensive snap at the NFL level.
There is one other player to consider at the position, and that is veteran nickel cornerback Avonte Maddox. He has seen a fair share of time at safety, but struggled to find a long-term role there in Philly. The Lions’ actions in the draft tell me he’s likely to get some action at safety during the preseason, and Holmes even mentioned his potential at that position.
“We’re excited to get a guy like Maddox, a veteran that’s got versatility,” Holmes said at the owners meetings. “He can compete, obviously, he can play nickel, but he’s got some safety versatility as well that we’re excited about, and he can play on special teams as well.”
Still, it feels like the Lions would be best served to add another veteran to that room, and there are still some options available out there in free agency, including Marcus Williams (who has plenty of familiarity with Detroit’s defense from his Saints days), Justin Simmons, and Quandre Diggs (who is admittedly coming off a Lisfranc injury).
I know many are going to say edge defender, and there’s certainly plenty of room to grow in that room, but in my opinion, it’s not as pressing as safety. If Marcus Davenport does indeed go down with injury, the Lions do have some experienced bodies at that position, be it Josh Paschal, Al-Quadin Muhammad, or Levi Onwuzurike. I do think they should still add more competition to that room, but I just think safety is a little more pressing.
What do you think? Scroll down to the comment section and sound off!
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