When it comes to building a competitive football team, the approach a general manager takes in the NFL Draft is crucial. For Brad Holmes, the general manager of the Detroit Lions, one of the key principles guiding his draft philosophy is clear: he doesn’t draft for need.
This philosophy might seem counterintuitive, especially in a league where roster gaps are often glaring, and the temptation to draft for immediate needs can be overwhelming. However, Holmes’ approach stems from a deep understanding of the draft process and the long-term vision he has for the Lions.
In this article, we’ll explore why Holmes refuses to draft solely for need, how this philosophy influences his decisions, and how it has shaped the Detroit Lions’ team-building strategy under his leadership.
Drafting for need is often seen as a quick fix. Teams with glaring weaknesses in certain positions, such as quarterback or cornerback, might be tempted to pick the best available player at that position, even if they aren’t the best overall prospect. While this approach can fill a hole on the roster, it can also lead to missteps that have long-term consequences.
Brad Holmes has publicly stated that he doesn’t prioritize filling immediate needs when making draft selections. Instead, he focuses on selecting players who bring the most value to the team in terms of talent, upside, and fit within the team’s overall system.
This philosophy is grounded in the belief that talent is king in the NFL. The most successful teams, in Holmes’ view, aren’t those that simply fill holes on their roster but those that accumulate as much talent as possible and let that talent define the success of the team.
- Avoiding Short-Term Thinking
The NFL is a league that constantly changes, with player contracts, injuries, and free agency all playing significant roles in determining a team’s roster from year to year. By drafting the best player available rather than addressing a single position of need, Holmes is ensuring that the Lions build for the long term, not just the immediate future.
In a draft, a team may be in desperate need of a cornerback, but if the top-ranked prospect available is a wide receiver, it might make more sense to draft the receiver, even if the team already has good depth at the position. By doing so, the Lions would add a talented asset to the roster and be in a stronger position to trade, improve the offense, or have a better overall roster than their competition.
Additionally, the unpredictability of injuries means that a team can never be certain of what its needs will be in a few years. By taking the best player available, Holmes is preparing his team to be adaptable, with strength in every area of the roster, regardless of the changing needs.
- Maximizing Value
By taking the best player available on the board, Holmes is ensuring that the Lions are getting the most value out of every draft pick. This can be especially important in a sport like football, where a single standout player can dramatically impact the course of a season or a team’s fortunes.
It also helps avoid the mistakes of drafting a player who fits a team’s immediate needs but may not have the same long-term value. For example, if a team drafts a player purely because they have a gap at a certain position, but that player turns out to be a bust or doesn’t develop as expected, it can set the team back for years.
On the other hand, by drafting the best talent available—regardless of need—Holmes gives the team the flexibility to move pieces around, trade players for assets, or allow young talent to develop while maintaining a strong roster.
- Building Depth Across the Roster
Holmes’ philosophy also creates competition and depth throughout the roster. In today’s NFL, injuries are inevitable, and having depth at every position is one of the keys to building a sustainable contender. Drafting for talent rather than need ensures that even if a player gets injured or leaves for another team, there’s a deep bench of high-caliber players ready to step up.
This depth doesn’t just apply to key positions like quarterback or wide receiver; it permeates the entire roster. A deep roster built on talent provides greater flexibility in game planning and roster management, allowing the team to have contingency plans in place should injuries or unexpected issues arise.
Brad Holmes took over as general manager of the Detroit Lions in 2021, and his draft decisions thus far have reflected his “best player available” mindset.
In his first draft, the Lions selected Penei Sewell, an offensive tackle from Oregon, with the seventh overall pick. While the Lions certainly had needs at positions such as wide receiver and cornerback, Sewell was widely considered one of the best overall prospects in the draft, regardless of position. At the time, the Lions had recently acquired former first-round pick Taylor Decker at left tackle, but Holmes selected Sewell because of his elite talent and his potential to anchor the offensive line for years to come.
This decision demonstrated Holmes’ commitment to talent, as Sewell was considered one of the top players in the draft class, regardless of where the team had depth. The pick was an investment in the team’s future, solidifying an important position on the roster and providing long-term stability. Sewell’s selection has already proven to be a cornerstone pick for the Lions, with the young lineman showing immense promise in his first few seasons.
Holmes followed a similar approach in 2022 when the Lions selected Aidan Hutchinson with the second overall pick. While edge rusher was a position of need for the Lions, Hutchinson was also widely regarded as one of the best talents in the draft, regardless of position. The decision to draft Hutchinson, a Michigan native and fan favorite, was both a strategic and emotional win for the franchise, as it bolstered the Lions’ defense and provided a future star at a premium position.
These early draft picks under Holmes demonstrate his adherence to his draft philosophy: talent above all else. He is willing to trust his evaluations of players’ potential and take the best available option, regardless of how it may impact the team’s current roster makeup.
Brad Holmes’ overall approach to team building emphasizes balance. While he does not draft for need, that doesn’t mean he ignores the team’s needs entirely. Instead, Holmes focuses on assembling a roster filled with high-quality players at every position, which provides flexibility and ensures the team is prepared for any situation.
By building a roster based on talent, the Lions have become more competitive, with a strong foundation that can absorb changes in player personnel. Whether it’s the offensive line, defensive line, or skill positions, Holmes has prioritized adding talent in all areas, setting the team up for sustained success.
Holmes’ philosophy also gives the Lions flexibility in free agency and trade discussions. With a deep roster, the Lions are not pressured to overpay for players in free agency or rush into trades to fill gaps. This flexibility allows the team to operate from a position of strength in the broader NFL landscape, ensuring they aren’t constrained by short-term roster needs.
Brad Holmes’ approach to the NFL Draft—focusing on the best player available rather than drafting for need—has been central to his philosophy as general manager of the Detroit Lions. This strategy ensures that the Lions are building a roster based on long-term success, flexibility, and depth, rather than attempting to fill short-term gaps.
By consistently selecting the most talented players available, regardless of position, Holmes is creating a well-rounded and competitive team capable of contending for years to come. While this strategy may not always lead to immediate roster fixes, it has laid the groundwork for sustained success in Detroit, positioning the Lions to be a formidable force in the NFL for the future.
