Brad Holmes: Jameson Williams Isn’t the Only Big Trade the Lions Have Tried to Make in the NFL Draft
When Brad Holmes took over as general manager of the Detroit Lions in 2021, there was a palpable sense of optimism surrounding the franchise. The Lions had endured decades of mediocrity, punctuated by occasional flashes of promise. Holmes, a former Rams executive, brought with him a wealth of experience from a winning culture in Los Angeles, and Lions fans were hopeful that his vision could turn the team around. But as Holmes enters his fourth year in Detroit, one thing has become abundantly clear: he is not afraid to make bold moves, especially when it comes to the NFL Draft.
The 2022 NFL Draft provided a glimpse into Holmes’ aggressive approach, particularly with the Lions’ trade-up to select wide receiver Jameson Williams. The move was one of the most high-profile draft-day trades in recent years and set the tone for how Holmes would approach building the team in the coming seasons. However, the Williams trade was just one of several bold moves the Lions have tried to make under Holmes’ leadership. In fact, the Lions’ attempts to trade up, or down, have been a consistent theme since he took the job. These moves reflect a desire to build a competitive roster while also taking calculated risks in the pursuit of long-term success.
One of the key aspects of Holmes’ strategy has been his ability to identify areas of need and target specific players who can make an immediate impact. The Lions have been in a rebuilding phase since the departure of former general manager Bob Quinn and head coach Matt Patricia, but with Holmes at the helm, the team has started to show signs of life. Still, Holmes has made it clear that he isn’t content to simply let the team develop at a steady pace; he wants to expedite the process and bring in key contributors as quickly as possible.
The 2022 draft was arguably Holmes’ most high-profile draft to date. After trading up to No. 12 to select Williams, the Lions had a chance to further bolster their roster with the selection of defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson at No. 2 overall. Hutchinson, the Michigan native, was a homegrown talent who brought both excitement and immediate production to the Lions’ defense. While Williams was recovering from an ACL injury, Hutchinson made an immediate impact, earning Pro Bowl honors in his rookie season and becoming the centerpiece of Detroit’s defense.
But the story of the 2022 draft didn’t end there. In addition to Williams and Hutchinson, Holmes made another bold move by trading up again in the second round to select safety Kerby Joseph. The Lions’ defense had been one of the worst in the NFL in 2021, and Joseph’s addition was a signal that Holmes was not willing to sit back and wait for his team to improve gradually. Holmes’ willingness to make these aggressive trades demonstrated his commitment to winning now, rather than relying on a traditional rebuilding approach.
Despite the success of the 2022 draft class, it became clear that the Lions’ roster still had holes that needed to be addressed, particularly on the offensive side of the ball. Holmes made the decision to move aggressively again in the 2023 NFL Draft, this time with a focus on improving the Lions’ offensive line and adding more weapons for quarterback Jared Goff. In what turned out to be a highly publicized draft, Holmes made another big trade by moving up in the first round to select offensive tackle Jalen Carter, a player who had been high on the Lions’ radar throughout the pre-draft process.
Carter’s selection at No. 6 overall was another example of Holmes’ willingness to take calculated risks. The Lions had already solidified their offensive line with the signing of Pro Bowl guard Jonah Jackson, but Holmes recognized that adding an elite talent like Carter could elevate the entire offense. Carter, a highly touted prospect from Georgia, was expected to be an immediate contributor, and the Lions’ commitment to him demonstrated their desire to give Goff all the protection he needed to lead the offense effectively.
However, the Lions’ attempts to trade up didn’t stop at the first round. In the second round of the 2023 draft, Holmes again made a bold move, this time to trade up and select tight end Michael Mayer from Notre Dame. Mayer was considered by many to be the top tight end in the draft, and the Lions saw an opportunity to add another weapon for Goff in the passing game. The tight end position had been a point of weakness for the Lions in recent years, and Mayer’s selection was a clear signal that Holmes was determined to provide Goff with as many options as possible in the passing attack.
While the Williams trade is the most well-known example of Holmes’ willingness to make big trades in the draft, it is by no means the only one. In fact, the Lions have made a series of moves aimed at improving their roster, and many of these trades have been made with an eye toward future success. Holmes has shown time and time again that he is willing to take calculated risks in order to secure the best possible players for the team, even if it means moving up in the draft or trading away future picks.
One of the most intriguing aspects of Holmes’ approach to the draft is his ability to identify players who might not be on the radar of other teams. While many general managers focus on the consensus top prospects, Holmes has demonstrated a knack for finding hidden gems who can contribute immediately. In the 2021 draft, for example, the Lions selected linebacker Derrick Barnes in the fourth round, a move that raised some eyebrows at the time. However, Barnes quickly emerged as a key contributor to the defense, showing that Holmes’ scouting team was able to find value in players who may have been overlooked by other teams.
In addition to his ability to find value in the draft, Holmes has also demonstrated a willingness to make moves that bolster the Lions’ roster through trade and free agency. The acquisition of wide receiver D.J. Chark in 2022 was a prime example of Holmes’ ability to bring in talent from outside the draft. Chark had struggled with injuries in recent years, but Holmes saw potential in the former Pro Bowler and was able to land him on a relatively low-risk contract. The move paid off, as Chark provided the Lions with a much-needed deep threat in the passing game.
The Lions’ approach to free agency under Holmes has been equally aggressive. In 2023, the team made waves by signing veteran cornerback Jalen Ramsey to a lucrative contract. Ramsey, one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL, had been a key piece of the Los Angeles Rams’ Super Bowl-winning defense, and his addition to the Lions’ secondary was seen as a major upgrade. Holmes’ willingness to bring in proven veterans like Ramsey demonstrated his commitment to making the Lions a competitive team as quickly as possible.
Holmes’ ability to make these bold moves is rooted in a deep understanding of the NFL Draft and roster construction. He has shown a remarkable ability to balance short-term needs with long-term potential, recognizing that the Lions’ ultimate goal is to build a sustainable contender. While some may view his willingness to trade away future picks as a sign of impatience, Holmes sees it as an opportunity to accelerate the rebuild and put a winning product on the field now.
As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, the Lions are once again in a position to make a splash. Holmes’ track record suggests that the team will not sit idly by during the draft, waiting for things to unfold. Instead, they will likely be active, looking to add impact players who can help the team contend for a playoff spot immediately. Whether it’s moving up in the draft to select a quarterback of the future, or making another trade to improve the roster, Brad Holmes has shown that he is not afraid to take big swings when it comes to shaping the Lions’ future.
In conclusion, while Jameson Williams may be the most high-profile trade the Lions have made under Brad Holmes, it is far from the only bold move he has attempted. From trading up to select Hutchinson and Joseph in 2022 to making a series of impactful moves in 2023, Holmes has demonstrated a commitment to building a competitive team through both the draft and free agency. His aggressive approach to roster building has been one of the defining characteristics of his tenure as general manager, and Lions fans can expect more of the same in the years to come. Whether or not these moves ultimately lead to a championship remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Brad Holmes is determined to make the Detroit Lions a force to be reckoned with in the NFL.
