The Detroit Lions are contenders again, largely because of Brad Holmes’ eye for talent. Still, not every draft pick or free-agent signing worked as planned, and several early swings by the Lions’ general manager failed to deliver long-term results.
Brad Holmes has cemented himself as one of the most successful general managers in Detroit Lions history. Since taking over in 2021, Holmes has drafted a string of All-Pros and potential future stars, including Penei Sewell, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Kerby Joseph, Jack Campbell, Aidan Hutchinson, and rising talent Jahmyr Gibbs. Holmes’ tenure has brought hope and tangible results to a franchise long starved for stability.
Yet, no GM is perfect. Even Holmes, whose draft track record has been impressive, has seen several picks and acquisitions fail to meet expectations. Here’s a look at some of Holmes’ biggest misses, as well as a few honorable mentions of acquisitions that didn’t pan out as hoped.
Honorable Mentions
Some acquisitions seemed promising but ultimately left little impact in Detroit. The Lions traded a fifth- and sixth-round pick for defensive end Za’Darius Smith. Initially, the move looked solid, but Smith left after one season, and Detroit lost its first playoff game without his presence.
Detroit also signed cornerback Emmanuel Moseley twice, but he played just one game due to injuries. Wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones, acquired before the 2023 trade deadline for a sixth-round pick, recorded only five catches for 58 yards. Safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, signed to a one-year, $8 million contract, played in just four games, including the playoffs. Receiver D.J. Chark, who was expected to contribute significantly, finished with only 502 yards and three touchdowns in one season.
True Misses
Holmes’ early second-round picks have been the most notable disappointments.
Levi Onwuzurike, selected in the 2021 second round, played all but one game as a rookie, but injuries derailed his career. He missed the entire 2022 season, seven games in 2023, and did not play a single snap in 2025. Onwuzurike showed brief promise in 2024, recording half a sack in three of his first four games, but those would be his only sacks that season.
Josh Paschal, another second-round pick, also struggled with injuries. A cancer survivor, Paschal overcame stage 3B acral lentiginous melanoma in 2018 and returned to football at Kentucky. Despite Holmes’ confidence in drafting him, Paschal missed seven games his rookie year, five the next, and played minimally in 2024 due to a lingering back injury. He underwent back surgery in the 2025 offseason and was ruled out for the entire season, limiting his development despite flashes of potential.
Ennis Rakestraw, the 2024 second-round selection, has also battled injuries. He appeared in only six games as a rookie and played more than 10% of the snaps in just three contests. His first game featured a notable error, when he batted a punt from kicker Jack Fox into the end zone, resulting in a touchback. Hamstring, chest, and shoulder injuries continued to plague him, and he missed the entire 2025 season due to shoulder surgery. Despite this, he still has two years left on his rookie deal to prove himself.
Holmes’ early second-round picks highlight the unpredictable nature of the draft: three of his first four second-round selections have been severely hampered by injury. However, the GM has shown the ability to rebound quickly. The 2023 draft class brought cornerback Brian Branch and offensive lineman Sam Laporta, both considered potential cornerstone players. The 2025 second-round pick, offensive lineman Tate Ratledge, played all but one game and showed significant promise.
At the end of the day, even the best GMs have misses. For Holmes, the wins far outweigh the losses. With a strong core of All-Pros and rising stars, Detroit’s future remains bright. His track record demonstrates a willingness to take risks, develop talent, and build a team capable of contending for championships, even if a few swings don’t always land.