The Detroit Lions Podcast

Latest Episodes:

[608] Detroit Lions 2026 NFL Draft Primer - Detroit Lions Podcast Apr 16, 2026

Show notes

What Brad Holmes Actually Said

Episode 608 lands as a 2026 Detroit Lions NFL Podcast primer, and the focus is Brad Holmes’ pre-draft press conference. The Detroit Lions Podcast treats this stretch as lying season. Everyone knows the game. The wrinkle is that Detroit has often told the truth, just not in ways people caught in the moment. That tension drove the discussion.

The read on Holmes was direct. He did not appear deceptive. He also did not say much. He should not. The building keeps information close. The ship is locked tighter than it used to be, which makes outside reads tougher. The group framed Holmes’ approach as consistent, measured, and light on hints that can be mined by other clubs.

A Tighter Ship, A Clearer Process

Detroit’s process under Holmes tracks with a Rams-rooted philosophy. Care less about other teams. Care most about your own board. That mindset showed up in how the presser landed. No panic. No performative noise. Just enough clarity to signal confidence in the Lions’ path, without handing out details.

Comparisons to other NFL front offices came up. Around the league, general managers hold similar lines in April. Some drop phrases that sound like clues. Most do not intend to tip their hand. Holmes fit that pattern, but with a notable edge: a self-focused process that shrugs at outside reaction. It narrows the signal. It cuts the static.

Draft Smoke, Real Signals, and Mock Talk

The conversation pushed back on fan assumptions about league-wide subterfuge. The NFL uses less smoke and mirrors than people think. Some teams do play games. Many do not. Detroit’s leadership falls on the straight-line side. Truth often sits in plain sight, wrapped in careful language.

Unpredictability still rules draft weekend. The show cited a past draft where a team stacked multiple centers despite an established starter. It was a reminder. Anything can happen in the draft, regardless of what a depth chart looks like in April. That applies to the Lions as they weigh value against need, and as mocks try to catch up.

From there, the table was set for current mock projections for the Detroit Lions. The presser context matters. If Holmes’ words are consistent with the past, Detroit will prioritize its own grades and timing. The result could challenge expectations on position and sequence. Episode 608 framed the exercise. Read the words. Respect the silence. Then test every mock against a front office that prizes process over theater.

#detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #bradholmespresser #lyingseason #detroitlionsdraft #mockprojections #ramsline #snead #nickcaserio #buccaneersgm #lockedtighter #blowingsmoke #anythingcanhappeninthedraft #threecentersinonedraft #all-procenter #officialdetroitlionspodcastforreddit #episode608

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Daily DLP: Breaking down the Lions dream draft Detroit Lions Podcast Apr 14, 2026

Show notes

Trade-Up Logic for a Tight Roster

On April 14, Jeff Risdon opened the Detroit Lions Podcast by dropping his annual dream draft. The premise is simple. Targets he prefers at every pick, no trades in the mock, and a clear-eyed look at roster math. His NFL calculus points one way. Trade up over trading back.

Risdon expects three or four selections this year might not crack the active 53-man roster. Not because they cannot play, but because the Detroit Lions have fewer open chairs. Late picks can sit on the practice squad. That shifts value toward higher picks instead of collecting more Day 3 swings. He contrasted it with earlier Lions eras that forced rookies into the lineup. Amari Spivey got thrown to the wolves. A late-round inside backer from Cal had to play right away. Today’s depth means patience.

Recent examples back it up. Dominic Lovett, a seventh-rounder a year ago, barely saw the offense and made little impact on special teams. Dan Jackson, also a seventh-round pick, returns healthy but might not have played much as a rookie anyway. That is a different Lions reality. It makes trading up more attractive this spring.

Caleb Lomu at 17 and Panay Stays Right

Risdon’s first-round dream pick is Caleb Lomu, the Utah left tackle. The choice ties directly to keeping Panay Sewell at right tackle. Sewell is the best in the world there. Move him and he would still be great, but why disrupt excellence. With a true left tackle in Lomu, Detroit can preserve its right-side identity.

Risdon praised Lomu’s athleticism, length, and smarts. Crafty feet. Room to grow. He admitted the run blocking is not elite yet. Others are better in that phase. Spencer Fano brings more in-line drive. Francis Malinois does too. But the upside with Lomu at left tackle fits the long view while maintaining continuity with Sewell.

Building the Right-Side Run and Interior Fits

The vision extends to the run game. Keep the Detroit Lions pounding right. Pair Sewell with Tate Ratledge and have Cade Mays available to reinforce that side. Lomu holds down the blind side while the right side remains the hammer. The balance lets the offense dictate with angles and tempo without retooling the front.

That philosophy also informs the board. In a weaker draft, higher picks matter more than a pile of late fliers. The Detroit Lions Podcast framed it cleanly. Aim your swings where roster spots actually exist.

Trade-Up Wildcard and Year-Two Buzz

If he did climb from 17, Risdon identified a prize. Niese Styles is his No. 2 overall player. A safety background shows up in space, yet he is bigger than Arvel Reed, who projects as an edge. Styles can play with Jack Campbell and unlock sub-package flexibility.

There is carryover optimism too. Last year’s dream manifested early hits. The Lions landed Tylek Williams and Isaac TeSlaa sooner than expected. Risdon likes what comes next, especially for Williams in year two now that he knows NFL life. The dream stays ambitious. The logic stays grounded.

#detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #nfl #dreamdraft #caleblomu #lefttackle #panaysewell #tradeup #tradeback #tylekwilliams #isaacteslaa #tateratledge #cademays #spencerfano #niesestyles

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Daily DLP: Breaking down Brad Holmes' pre-draft presser Detroit Lions Podcast Apr 13, 2026

Show notes

Holmes skips owners meetings to lock in draft prep

Ten days before the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, the Detroit Lions Podcast zeroed in on Brad Holmes’ message and where Detroit stands at No. 17. Holmes held his annual pre-draft press conference. He explained he did not attend the NFL owners meetings this year. He stayed in Detroit to work with the scouting staff and focus on the draft. The Lions were still represented at the meetings, with Rod Wood and Dan Campbell available on site.

The episode posted later than usual to follow that availability. Travel logistics factored into coverage decisions. A three-hour drive each way for a brief presser did not add value, especially without a plan to ask questions. The focus stayed on what Holmes revealed and what he did not.

Reading the board at No. 17

Holmes was pressed on how many true first-round grades the Lions hold and what that means at 17. He did not bite. The general manager avoided specifics and declined to lock a number to the board. One fragment carried weight: "We feel pretty good about" what will be there at 17. That line framed Detroit’s outlook. The message matched league chatter. This is not billed as the greatest class, but teams expect to find players they like in their strike zones.

Holmes has sharpened his poker face since his early sessions at the podium. He kept priorities concealed while signaling confidence in outcomes. The takeaway for the NFL and Detroit Lions watchers: the club trusts its board without tipping needs or targets.

Trade calls timing and Detroit’s approach

On movement around the pick, Holmes said this is the time when calls start to happen. To this point, they have not. That is not a denial of interest. It is a timestamp. Ten days out is when the market forms. The question is who dials first. Detroit’s tendency has been to let others ring them. That stands in contrast to the more aggressive, feeler-heavy style associated with John Dorsey during his Cleveland Browns tenure. The current Lions approach gathers information by fielding offers rather than fishing early.

Up, back, or staying put all remain in play. The board and the phone will guide the path. The principle is clear. Detroit will not force action before the market sets.

Pittsburgh trip notes coming later this week

The show teased a travel-focused episode for fans headed to Pittsburgh. Recent time on the ground produced useful local notes that will drop later this week. The can cracked today was a Doctor Pepper. Sponsorship inquiries are open, with examples mentioned on air.

#detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #2026nfldraft #bradholmes #pressconference #larryborom #d.j.wonnum #ruebenbain #nfldrafttrades

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Daily DLP: 4 Late-Round Draft Sleepers for Lions - Detroit Lions Podcast Apr 12, 2026

Show notes

Late-Round Targets With Real Detroit Fits

The Detroit Lions Podcast zeroed in on two late Day 3 options who match Detroit’s defensive profile. The focus stayed tight: an interior disruptor who penetrates and a defensive back with real slot juice and verified top-end speed. Both players project as developmental pieces who can fill defined roles in the NFL and compete for snaps in Detroit.

Penetration From the Interior: Cameron Ball

Cameron Ball, a defensive tackle from Arkansas, stands 6-foot-4 and 310 pounds and tested at the combine. His game is built on first-step quickness and backfield penetration. He wins by getting narrow through gaps and shooting into the backfield, not by anchoring and two-gapping. The production reflects a creator more than a finisher: three sacks and 13 tackles for loss across four seasons, with steady disruption and pursuit.

The motor runs hot. He tackles well and moves unexpectedly well in space for his size, getting outside the box to finish plays. Block shedding is inconsistent, and he is not a classic run stuffer. He must win early with quickness. The athletic profile is decent, not elite, and the projection lands late on Day 3, potentially the sixth or seventh round.

The fit in Detroit is clear. Ball profiles as a rotational rush tackle behind Alim McNeill, with insurance value when Levi Onwuzurike shifts. Detroit has dabbled with penetrators inside, including bigger bodies asked to knife and facilitate rather than rack up sacks. Ball can make quarterbacks hesitate on their step-up when edge pressure compresses the pocket. That kind of interior disturbance has value in this defense.

Slot Speed and Versatility: C.A. Wright

C.A. Wright, a Nebraska cornerback and former USC recruit, brings verified speed. GPS tracking has him over 22 miles per hour repeatedly. Nebraska kicked him inside to the slot, where his game took off, though he also saw time outside and some at safety. That inside-out experience matters for a secondary that values versatility and alignments that disguise intentions.

Wright turned heads in all-star settings, including a strong week in the Dallas area. The attraction is straightforward: true slot range with recovery speed, plus the ability to handle varied coverage assignments. He projects in the late rounds, with the speed and role clarity to compete right away for nickel work while developing boundary technique over time.

Why These Profiles Matter for Detroit

Detroit needs rotational defenders who do specific jobs well. Ball offers gap shooting from the interior to complement edge pressure and lighten the load on early downs with change-of-pace penetration. Wright brings slot athleticism and flexibility across multiple spots in the secondary. Both are realistic Day 3 targets for the Detroit Lions, with traits that translate and roles that fit the plan.

#detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #nfldraftday3 #cameronball #ceyairwright #camdorner #curtisallen #scoutingreports

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Daily DLP: Talking Lions draft with Nick Baumgardner Apr 11, 2026

Show notes

Draft Runway and Roster Posture

The Detroit Lions Podcast turned spring break into roster talk as Jeff Risdon sat down with Nick Baumgartner two weeks before the NFL Draft. They opened with Michigan basketball’s national title and a nod to John Beilein getting his overdue moment. Then they pivoted hard to the Detroit Lions and the NFL calendar. The tone was steady. The message was clear. Detroit is in good shape.

Baumgartner said the front office did what it needed to do. The approach was careful. The only gripe raised was not giving Frank Regnal bonus money. Everything else from Brad Holmes and Dan tracked with the plan. The roster now lets Detroit enter the first round with freedom. Best player available is back on the table. That likely points to the trenches. An offensive lineman sits high on the board. It does not have to be a pure tackle. Guard or tackle both fit the current path.

Free Agency Adds Reshape the Board

The Detroit Lions Podcast highlighted several additions that tighten depth and raise the floor. Cade Maze drew praise as a value signing. Pacheco did too. Corrao landed as a swing tackle who can cover short term needs. He can start in a pinch if a rookie needs time. Those moves matter when the NFL Draft starts to slide. They buy patience. They keep the board honest. Detroit can wait for its guy instead of forcing a reach.

With those pieces in place, the Lions can let the draft come to them. If a tackle falls, they can pounce. If the board tilts to an interior mauler, they can plug that in and roll. Either way, the goal stays the same. Protect the quarterback. Keep the run game on schedule. Own the line of scrimmage.

Secondary Competition Tightens Inside

Risdon pushed a point he thinks the fan base has overlooked. Roger McCreary and Tyler Conklin were called out as signings who will play and help right away. They were framed as upgrades over the players they replace. The slot comparison was direct. McCreary was labeled a better cover guy than Amiek Robertson on the inside. The versatility note followed. McCreary can do more. That flexibility changes matchups and pressures route timing.

Chris Isiom came up as another under-the-radar pickup. The theme continued. Holmes keeps finding defensive backs off the scrap Wheat and making them fit. More bodies. More traits. More competition. It all stacks to a cleaner picture on draft night. Detroit can target the best player instead of scrambling to fill a hole. That is the difference between chasing and controlling. The NFL rewards control. The Detroit Lions Podcast made that point plain.

#detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #jeffrisdon #nickbaumgartner #nfldraft #offensivelineman #swingtackle #guardortackle #bradholmes #frankregnal #cademaze #pacheco #corrao #rogermccreary #tylerconklin #amiekrobertson

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Daily DLP: Talking NFL Draft with Emory Hunt Detroit Lions Podcast Apr 10, 2026

Show notes

A 1,200-Player Lens on the NFL Draft

Jeff Risdon welcomed Emery Hunt to the Detroit Lions Podcast for a focused draft conversation. Hunt outlined how his process starts in January after a season spent covering the NFL and college football. He hits nine to ten all star games, including the combine, to form first looks on prospects. Then he stacks twelve hour film days from February until the guide publishes. His draft guide includes over 1,200 individual scouting reports, one page per player he has actually watched. Buyers since 2020 would now hold more than 6,600 reports. It is built for draft weekend, camp cuts, and the regular season when rosters churn. The guide lists a clear grade for everyone he studied and costs $25.

What Fits at Pick 17 for Detroit

The discussion turned to the Detroit Lions at pick 17. Detroit added help on the edge in free agency. Inside, McNeil anchors a sturdy interior with capable help next to him. Hutchinson gives them a proven outside presence. That context points to two prime pathways. One is getting younger at edge if the board cooperates. Hunt said he would feel comfortable taking Reed Mesa in that range. He stressed a modern expectation for first rounders. Three productive years is success in a league where even top picks move quickly.

The other path is the offensive line. If early action at the top reshapes the tackle market, Detroit could find a true left tackle on the board. The Browns’ choices at six and twenty four could influence that flow. In that scenario, Monroe Fraley fits as a clean left tackle projection. He offers the flexibility to keep him on the left side or cross train him on the right, depending on how Detroit wants to arrange the room. Interior offensive line was also mentioned as a viable consideration.

Secondary Swing and a First-Round Wild Card

Cornerback remains a live option if the medicals break right. If Manu McCoy checks out and slides, that would be a strong pickup at value. The show also floated a first round wild card. Anzalone Ponds of Indiana profiles as an outside corner who matches the physical, competitive edge the Lions prioritize. That type of player fits the team’s identity and adds matchup flexibility on the perimeter.

However the board falls, Detroit has leverage. Free agency work on the defensive line gives room to target value. The roster’s core pieces create options rather than needs. At seventeen, the Lions can credibly choose edge, tackle, interior offensive line, or corner. With multiple workable lanes and a deep pool of scouted prospects, they can trust the grades and take the cleanest fit.

#detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #nfl #jeffrisdon #emeryhunt #draftguide #pick17 #edgerusher #interiordefensiveline #mcneil #hutchinson #monroefraley #reedmesa #manumccoy #anzaloneponds

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

[607] NFL Pre-Draft Detroit Lions Roundtable - Detroit Lions Podcast Apr 10, 2026

Show notes

Tackle Takes the Lead at 17

The Detroit Lions Podcast zeroed in on the NFL Draft board. Episode 607 asked the question that matters: what should the Detroit Lions do at 17? The table leaned offensive tackle. A fresh sweep of recent mocks all pointed to a tackle at that spot. Names floated included Procter, Manu, Holmes, Fraley, and Venga. The reasoning was simple. At 17, need meets value. If the Lions stick at that pick, a tackle fits the board and the workload in front of them. The draft room math favors it.

Edge Help and the 50 Pick

Edge at 17 did not land the same conviction. The group questioned whether an edge would be worth that selection. The hope is that a pass rusher slides to 50. If not, trade flexibility stays on the table. Up for a target. Back for a pocket of value. The expectation laid out was clear: across picks 17 and 50, come away with an offensive tackle and a pass rusher. There was also talk that the front office is weighing defensive end as strongly as tackle. Either way, the path was set. Protect the quarterback. Hit the quarterback. Do both by the end of Day 2.

Tight End Talk and a Big-Board Curveball

First-round tight end? No. That was the blunt answer. The crew would be stunned if the Detroit Lions opened with a tight end. A twist came from the show’s consensus big board. The 17th-ranked player there is a tight end. But that is a ranking, not a Lions projection. The board explains talent tiers. It does not predict Detroit’s card. The Podcast kept circling back to need and value. In this NFL, tackle at 17 tracks with both.

Roster Notes, Anzalone Chatter, and What’s Next

There was a sidebar on Alex Anzalone’s recent comments. He discussed returning, with the head coach wanting that outcome, while ownership and the front office reportedly felt otherwise. Quarterback talk surfaced too. A first-round quarterback did not feel imminent. That room is heavy, and health for the young pieces matters before any verdicts. Late in the segment, a pair of names came up as unlikely options at 17, with the belief that one of them might be gone anyway. The show closed with a programming note. A bigger draft roundtable is planned for early next week, with a full mock on deck. The Detroit Lions Podcast will line up the scenarios and run them, pick by pick.

#detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #nfldraft #offensivetackle #passrusher #pick17 #pick50 #tightendfirstround #alexanzalone #dancampbell #mockdraftroundtable #consensusbigboard #mattmiller #procter #manu #venga

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bish & Brown: Kadyn Proctor at 17, Mid-Round Faves & More - Detroit Lions Podcast Apr 09, 2026

Show notes

Russell Brown and Scott Bischoff returned to the Detroit Lions Podcast after a week off and put the focus squarely on pick 17. Fifteen days out from the 2026 NFL Draft, the Lions’ board and one Alabama offensive tackle dominated the run-up: Proctor. National chatter says he will not get past Detroit at 17. That includes a high-profile voice saying, "there's no way Proctor gets past the Lions." The room wrestled with whether that is smoke or a signal.

Proctor at 17: Plan or Smokescreen?

The Lions need clarity on value at 17. Proctor brings size and traits. He played left tackle at Alabama and could be asked to move inside. Brown graded him as a late second-round player on film. He did not love three of four games studied, pointing to Wisconsin, Georgia, and Oklahoma as uneven outings. The size is undeniable at roughly 6-foot-7 and 352, with reports he played closer to 370 last season. He can reach. He can pull. He transfers weight from his post foot to his set foot with ease. The issues show up in balance. Oversets. The game speeds him up and knocks him off course. He needs to find a comfortable playing weight.

Detroit’s decision at 17 might hinge on whether the front office sees a guard conversion, a future left tackle, or a developmental swing who buys time. There is also top-10 buzz for Proctor. Cleveland at six, Kansas City at nine, and Cincinnati at ten were floated as tackle-needy spots. If even one of them prefers him inside, his market shifts. If they see a long-term tackle, he may never reach 17.

Arizona’s Leverage Over the First Round

The conversation kept circling back to Arizona at three. The Cardinals, in their view, want out. If a team jumps Tennessee at four, the ripple could blow up every mock draft. A move down to the mid-first would let Arizona collect capital and still target another tackle later. That single trade could push a run at offensive line and change Detroit’s choices. If tackles come off early, the Lions may face a decision on a player they like less than the number on the board. If the run stalls, options expand.

What It Means for Detroit

If Proctor reaches 17, the Lions must weigh traits against tape. They can bet on a rare frame, movement skills, and coaching up balance. They can pass and pivot to another position. Or they can trade the pick. The NFL is about fit and timing. On this week’s Detroit Lions Podcast, the debate was simple and sharp: if Proctor is there, is he the right kind of bet for Detroit at 17?

#detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #nfldraft #pick17 #danieljeremiah #alabamaoffensivetackle #proctor #lefttackle #moveinsidetoguard #balanceissues #oversetting #reachandpull #arizonaatthree #clevelandatsix #kansascityatnine #cincinnatiatten

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Daily DLP: Reviewing where mock drafts missed in 2025 Detroit Lions Podcast Apr 08, 2026

Show notes

One Year Ago, the Mocks Missed

Two weeks from the 2026 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions Podcast rewinds to last spring. The mock draft pulse around Detroit told one story. The actual first round told another. The board buzzed with edge rushers and tackles. Derek Horton from Oregon surfaced. Kelvin Banks and Grey Campbell showed up. Donovan Esaraku led the projections to pick 28. Jihad Campbell appeared in multiple runs. Nick Skorton and Michael Williams stayed popular among the edge crowd.

The problem was fit. Linebacker was not the urgent need some insisted it was. Jack Campbell was rising into an all‑pro level performer. Alex Anzalone held the room and covered space. Depth existed until Malcolm Rodriguez’s injury later in the year. The frenzy still pushed front‑seven names, mostly edges, into the Lions slot because it felt safe.

The Pick Few Saw Coming

The Detroit Lions took Tylek Williams, defensive tackle from Ohio State, in the first round. Almost no mock two weeks out had that connection. One social post on March 10, 2025, put Williams as a first‑round expectation after the combine. Then the projection shifted. Confidence wavered. Two days before the draft, a strong league voice said Williams would be the pick. That tip got ignored. The card in Detroit matched the early combine read, not the late‑cycle noise.

The lesson is clear. Information gathered at the NFL combine tends to hold up. Pro days, public trackers, and the mock churn can blur the picture. The 2025 cycle did exactly that. It pushed a wave of edges and a linebacker into focus while the Detroit Lions quietly lined up a disruptive defensive tackle.

The 2026 Takeaway

As the 2026 NFL Draft approaches, remember what actually aligned with the pick a year ago. Combine intel mattered. Need still mattered. The perception that Brad Holmes refuses to draft for need gets overstated. The stronger takeaway is more precise. He does not force edge early if the board and role do not match value.

Expect heavy speculation again. You will see more edges mocked to Detroit. You will see another linebacker or two. That happened last year with Donovan Esaraku, Jihad Campbell, Nick Skorton, and Michael Williams cycling through the slot. The room, the roles, and the Lions priorities will decide, not the volume of projections.

Last spring offered a blunt reminder. The earliest accurate breadcrumb came out of Indianapolis. It pointed to Tylek Williams and interior disruption. The late noise washed it out. Detroit still made the right call. Keep that framework close as the clock ticks toward the 2026 first round.

#detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #tylekwilliams #nfldraft #mockdrafts #defensivetackle #combineintel #donovanesaraku #jihadcampbell #jackcampbell #alexanzalone #malcolmrodriguez #edgerusher #nickskorton #michaelwilliams #bradholmes

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Daily DLP: Tracking trades involving NFL Draft pick No. 17 Detroit Lions Podcast Apr 06, 2026

Show notes

What No. 17 Is Really Worth

Two weeks from the NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions Podcast put real numbers and real names on pick No. 17. Trade charts help, but they are not law. The team that moves up usually pays around a 10 percent premium. Sometimes the mover wins. Often the mover does not. It comes down to the player.

That was the headline takeaway. The Detroit Lions can trade up, trade back, or flip 17 for a player. History says the return swings with the evaluation, not the math. The NFL market at 17 has receipts to prove it.

Receipts from Recent No. 17 Deals

The last time the 17th pick moved, it cost real capital. Seventeen went for No. 23, No. 67, plus a third and a fourth in 2025. Minnesota moved up with Jacksonville to take Dallas Turner. The edge from Alabama has not matched that price. Jacksonville stayed at 23 and took Brian Thomas, a potential Pro Bowler. One of those future picks turned into safety Caleb Branch. The Lions were even tangentially involved in the chain before it moved again.

In 2023, 17 and 120 were packaged to climb to 14. The 14th pick became Braxton Jones at tackle. Solid, but not elite. Staying at 17 yielded Christian Gonzales at corner. The 120th pick spun out and landed as Carter Warren. The side that moved back came out ahead on player value.

In 2019, 17 became the centerpiece in a blockbuster. Picks 17 and 95, plus Kevin Zeitler and Jabrill Peppers, went from Cleveland to New York for Odell Beckham Jr. and Olivier Vernon. No. 17 turned into Dexter Lawrence. No. 95 became O'Shane Niese, a pass rusher with a brief cup of coffee. Beckham sparked a short window, but the bigger lesson sits up front: Lawrence is a cornerstone. Vernon offered a template for balancing a star rusher with a different stylistic bookend.

What It Means for Detroit at 17

The math says expect a surcharge to go up. The tape says only pay it for a difference maker. Trading back from 17 can win if the board lines up and the player at 23 is better than the one at 14. The episode also hit fit. The Christian Gonzales discussion in Detroit underlined how passion and habits matter. If a prospect does not love football, he is off the board. That applies at corner, edge, and everywhere.

On defense, the model opposite Aidan Hutchinson looks like Olivier Vernon next to Myles Garrett. A complementary rusher with power, variety, and enough standalone juice to punish single blocks. Detroit’s safety room is solid, so a veteran like Jabrill Peppers is not a priority. Use No. 17 to secure the right player, or use it as currency. The NFL has shown the price. The Detroit Lions must decide if the player is worth it.

#detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #nfldraft #17thpick #10%moveuptax #dallasturner #brianthomas #braxtonjones #christiangonzales #carterwarren #odellbeckhamjr. #oliviervernon #dexterlawrence #jabrillpeppers #mylesgarrett #aidanhutchinson

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

What Brad Holmes Actually Said

A Tighter Ship, A Clearer Process

Draft Smoke, Real Signals, and Mock Talk

Trade-Up Logic for a Tight Roster

Caleb Lomu at 17 and Panay Stays Right

Building the Right-Side Run and Interior Fits

Trade-Up Wildcard and Year-Two Buzz

Holmes skips owners meetings to lock in draft prep

Reading the board at No. 17

Trade calls timing and Detroit’s approach

Pittsburgh trip notes coming later this week

Late-Round Targets With Real Detroit Fits

Penetration From the Interior: Cameron Ball

Slot Speed and Versatility: C.A. Wright

Why These Profiles Matter for Detroit

Draft Runway and Roster Posture

Free Agency Adds Reshape the Board

Secondary Competition Tightens Inside

A 1,200-Player Lens on the NFL Draft

What Fits at Pick 17 for Detroit

Secondary Swing and a First-Round Wild Card

Tackle Takes the Lead at 17

Edge Help and the 50 Pick

Tight End Talk and a Big-Board Curveball

Roster Notes, Anzalone Chatter, and What’s Next

Proctor at 17: Plan or Smokescreen?

Arizona’s Leverage Over the First Round

What It Means for Detroit

One Year Ago, the Mocks Missed

The Pick Few Saw Coming

The 2026 Takeaway

What No. 17 Is Really Worth

Receipts from Recent No. 17 Deals

What It Means for Detroit at 17

Related Podcasts

1

2

3

4

5

6