Brad Holmes has never drafted to please the crowd—and that won’t change now. If these three scenarios unfold on draft night, Lions fans could be in for shock, frustration, and another bold reminder that Detroit’s GM trusts his board over public opinion.
Brad Holmes has built a reputation for doing the exact opposite of what fans and media expect on draft night. Time and time again, he’s made picks that sparked confusion—or outright outrage—before ultimately proving his vision right. With the 2026 NFL Draft approaching, I’m breaking down three realistic scenarios that could once again leave fans frustrated if Holmes goes in a bold, unconventional direction.
Lions Use Pick 17 On Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
In 2024, McCoy emerged as one of the top defensive backs in college football. He recorded four interceptions (tied for 10th in the nation), added nine pass breakups, allowed a passer rating of just 53.6, and logged 696 snaps. On tape, he showed elite instincts, fluid movement skills, and the ability to lock down receivers in both man and zone coverage.
So why would this pick upset fans? The answer lies in his injury history. McCoy tore his ACL at the end of the 2024 season, forcing him to miss all of 2025. Drafting a player coming off a major injury is always risky, and Lions fans have seen this story before. Holmes has not shied away from prospects with medical concerns, selecting players like Ennis Rakestraw, Levi Onwuzurike, and Jameson Williams despite injury questions.
There’s also the matter of positional investment. Detroit already used a first-round pick on Terrion Arnold in 2024, and while he’s shown flashes, he hasn’t fully lived up to expectations yet. The team also added veteran corner D.J. Reed in free agency. On paper, cornerback doesn’t seem like a pressing need.
Still, McCoy’s upside is undeniable. He reportedly ran a 4.38 40-yard dash at his pro day, signaling that he’s fully recovered. If he had been healthy in 2025, many evaluators believe he could have been a top-10 pick. For Holmes, that kind of value might be too good to pass up. For fans, though, it would feel like a risky gamble on a position that may not need immediate help.
Lions Use Pick 17 On Jordan Tyson, WR, Arizona State
This would be the most shocking move of the three. Tyson is widely viewed as one of the top wide receiver prospects in the 2026 class, and Detroit has already shown interest by bringing him in for a visit. But wide receiver? Really?
The Lions already boast a strong receiving corps led by Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, and they even traded up recently to draft Isaac TeSlaa. Adding another receiver early would seem excessive, especially with other needs on the roster.
However, Holmes has consistently emphasized a “best player available” philosophy. If Tyson somehow falls to pick No. 17, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Holmes pull the trigger despite the positional redundancy.
Tyson’s production backs up the hype. He posted an 82.9 overall PFF grade and an 85.3 receiving grade, hauling in 61 receptions on 97 targets for eight touchdowns while dropping just one pass. He’s especially dangerous in the red zone, using his size and body control to win contested catches.
In a vacuum, Tyson would be a perfect fit for Detroit’s offense. But given the team’s current roster construction, fans would likely erupt if Holmes used another premium pick on a wideout. It would be seen as a luxury selection rather than addressing a need—something that rarely goes over well on draft night.
Waiting Until Day 3 for a Pass Rusher
This scenario might frustrate fans more than any individual pick. The Lions’ need for another edge rusher opposite Aidan Hutchinson has been well documented. While Detroit added D.J. Wonnum in free agency, relying solely on him and depth pieces would feel like an incomplete solution.
If Holmes chooses to bypass edge rushers in the early rounds, fans could quickly grow restless. Imagine Detroit selecting an offensive lineman in the first round, a cornerback in the second, and then entering Day 3 without having addressed one of the team’s most glaring needs. With no third-round pick, that would mean waiting until at least the fourth round to add help off the edge.
From Holmes’ perspective, the logic would be simple: don’t reach for need if the value isn’t there. If the top edge rushers are off the board or graded similarly to players at other positions, he may opt to strengthen other areas instead. But that kind of patience can be hard for fans to accept, especially when the need feels so obvious.
Overall
For some fans, these scenarios represent worst-case outcomes. Drafting an injured cornerback, selecting a wide receiver in an already crowded room, or waiting until late to address pass rush would all spark strong reactions.
But Holmes has earned a level of trust. Many questioned his 2023 draft decisions, particularly selecting Jahmyr Gibbs and Jack Campbell early, only to see both players quickly develop into impact contributors at their positions. His track record suggests that even unpopular moves can pay off.
The reality is that draft night rarely unfolds the way fans expect. And if Brad Holmes has proven anything, it’s that he’s willing to take risks if he believes in the long-term payoff—even if it means weathering criticism in the moment.