At the NFL combine, what do you hope to hear from Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell?
Booher, Christian: I’m hoping to learn a few minor details on what they could be considering for their initial choices. This time of year, Holmes and Campbell are known for keeping their cards close to the vest, so any potentially illuminating information would be intriguing.
I’m also curious to find out what Holmes or Campbell have to say regarding their views on free will. My current prediction is that they will keep a few of their own players and give priority to loyalty, but it will be interesting to watch if either team discusses the possibility of pursuing a star.
Vito Chirco I want to know, first and foremost, how the two of them plan to approach the NFL Draft and the entire summer. Although I’m aware that they won’t go into great detail about the prospects they’re aiming for, I’d still like to know the two of them’s perspectives going into the April draft.
I also want to know what Campbell and Holmes think about the likelihood that the Lions re-sign Josh Reynolds and offensive lineman Graham Glasgow and Jonah Jackson this offseason. As of right now, I think the team will decide to at least bring back Reynolds, who is one of Jared Goff’s top targets.
I also want to know what Campbell and Holmes think about the likelihood that the Lions re-sign Josh Reynolds and offensive lineman Graham Glasgow and Jonah Jackson this offseason. As of right now, I think the team will decide to at least bring back Reynolds, who is one of Jared Goff’s top targets.
2.) Given how much the salary ceiling has increased, do you believe Brad Holmes will make a splash in the free agency market?
Booher: Since I think highly of Brad Holmes, I will defer to his assessment on free agency. The team’s cap would suffer in the future as they attempt to re-sign their players, but the resources are undoubtedly there for him to make an impact. However, a long-term commitment that many players would require
Chirco: For Holmes to sign a free agent like that in his first three offseasons as general manager was utterly out of character. Instead, he decided to use the draft, a number of one-year prove-it deals (like those involving DJ Chark, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, and Emmanuel Moseley), and the re-signing of a large number of players (like those involving and Josh Reynolds) to gradually construct the squad.
However, I believe that Holmes and Detroit’s front office may have a different offseason this time around. My early bet is that Holmes will be braver and make that “splash” sort of free-agent deal this summer, given that the Lions are just one victory away from winning the Super Bowl in 2023.
But who will it be? Both of our guesses are valid. However, I’ll wager that it’s longtime Vikings EDGE at this point. Hunter Danielle. Hunter would be a huge asset to Detroit’s pass-rushing unit. He was reportedly a target for the Lions at the trade deadline this past season. Over the last two seasons, he has racked up a total of 26.5 sacks, with a career-high 16.5 in 2023.
I believe that when I suggest that he would look great at the EDGE slot alongside Aidan Hutchinson, I am speaking for all Lions fans worldwide.
Chirco: Following the group of EDGE and cornerback prospects at the combine piques my curiosity. Right now, I see Holmes taking a corner in the first round of the NFL Draft in April, and then an EDGE defender in the second round.
