Brad Holmes didn’t just rebuild the Lions — he built them through the draft. From a fourth-round steal to a franchise cornerstone and a ball-hawking safety, these three picks changed everything in Detroit.
Since arriving in Detroit, general manager Brad Holmes has transformed the Lions from rebuilding project to legitimate contender through elite drafting. Holmes hasn’t just found talent — he’s maximized value relative to draft capital. When weighing his three best selections, both production and where each player was taken must be considered. The following trio stands above the rest.
1. Amon-Ra St. Brown (Fourth round, 2021 – Pick No. 112)
This one feels unanimous.
Amon-Ra St. Brown has developed into one of the NFL’s premier wide receivers despite being the 16th receiver selected in the 2021 draft. Taken No. 112 overall in the fourth round, St. Brown has wildly outperformed his draft slot.
After a strong rookie finish in 2021, he has elevated his game every season since. He has earned four Pro Bowl selections, two First-Team All-Pro honors and one Second-Team All-Pro nod. Over the past three seasons, St. Brown ranks second in the NFL in receiving yards, first in receptions (381) and first in receiving touchdowns (34). His elite route running, physicality and reliability over the middle have made him quarterback Jared Goff’s most trusted weapon.
He has also rewritten franchise history, setting single-season Lions records for receptions and becoming one of the fastest players in team history to surpass 4,000 career receiving yards. Considering 16 wide receivers were drafted ahead of him, St. Brown is not only Holmes’ best value pick — he is one of the greatest draft steals in modern NFL history.
2. Penei Sewell (First round, 2021 – Pick No. 7)
While seventh overall picks are expected to become stars, Penei Sewell has exceeded even those lofty expectations.
Sewell has earned three consecutive First-Team All-Pro selections and multiple Pro Bowl appearances while establishing himself as arguably the best right tackle in football. Still just in his mid-20s, he has anchored one of the league’s top offensive lines and played a central role in Detroit’s offensive resurgence.
Since Sewell entered the league, the Lions have consistently ranked among the NFL’s best in rushing efficiency and offensive production. His dominance in both pass protection and the run game has helped power one of the most physical identities in the league. Advanced metrics consistently place him near the top among offensive tackles in pass-block win rate and run-block win rate.
Even though he was a top-10 selection, landing a future Hall of Fame-caliber talent is never guaranteed. Sewell’s consistency, durability and elite play elevate this pick into one of the best of Holmes’ tenure. When you draft a cornerstone who changes the identity of your offense, draft position becomes secondary.
3. Kerby Joseph (Third round, 2022 – Pick No. 97)
A third-round safety becoming a First-Team All-Pro is rare value, which is why Kerby Joseph earns the third spot.
Joseph has developed into one of the NFL’s premier ballhawks. In 2024, he led the league with nine interceptions, becoming the first Lions safety to accomplish that feat since Jack Christiansen in 1957. His breakout season earned him First-Team Associated Press All-Pro honors and cemented his status as a centerpiece of Detroit’s secondary.
Since entering the league, Joseph has displayed elite instincts and range. He has produced double-digit career interceptions early in his career and has consistently ranked among league leaders in passes defended. At full strength, he is one of the most impactful safeties in football.
For a player selected No. 97 overall, Joseph’s return on investment is enormous. Holmes identified a playmaker who has become a turnover machine and defensive tone-setter.
Holmes has made several strong selections during his tenure, but St. Brown, Sewell and Joseph represent the gold standard — elite production, major accolades and franchise-changing impact relative to draft cost. Those are the types of picks that build contenders — and in Detroit, they have done exactly that.