Since Brad Holmes assumed the role of general manager for the Detroit Lions, he has consistently opted to use multiple picks in a draft on the same position.
He did it in his inaugural draft in 2021 when he chose Levi Onwuzurike and Alim McNeil. In 2022, he selected three edge rushers.
He chose Aidan Hutchinson and Josh Pascal in the first and second rounds and then added James Houston in the sixth.
The strategy was employed again in the 2024 draft. Holmes invested the team’s first two picks in cornerbacks Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw. He could potentially have double dipped a second time in that draft as they selected Christian Mahogany and guard and there is currently discussion of Giovanni Manu possibly being a candidate for the position as well. Now The Athletic’s Colton Pouncy suggests that the Lions might attempt this strategy once more in 2025 and draft two edge rushers. With Holmes indicating to reporters at both the combine and the annual meetings that the Lions would like to add multiple edge rushers, is he alluding to a potential double-dip at that position? It certainly wouldn’t mark the first occasion. Pouncy further noted the depth at that position in this year’s draft class. “Well for starters, it’s a deeper class, which is a plus. You can find talent throughout the top 100, and the Lions have three picks in the top 102. ”
The Lions are indeed more than one edge away from resolving their pass rush issue.
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