In one of the busiest free agency periods of the Brad Holmes / Dan Campbell era, the Detroit Lions acquired 12 new free agents while losing or releasing more than a dozen players. The 2025 season exposed some very large roster gaps. Although Holmes addressed some of those holes, others remain. Now, the focus shifts to the upcoming NFL Draft and filling the team’s remaining needs.
Updated Needs For the Detroit Lions After Free Agency
Heading into free agency, the injury-depleted secondary, the offensive line (center and left tackle positions), and EDGE were the immediate priorities. Holmes directly addressed each area and provided depth. However, in some instances, he wasn’t able to sign players who are one-to-one replacements for the talent lost.
Free Agency Improved The Lions’ Offensive Line
The offensive line was strengthened by the acquisition of starting center Cade Mays and the additions of Juice Scruggs and tackle Larry Borom. However, the need for a starting left tackle to replace Taylor Decker remains.
Borom is an experienced tackle who has primarily played right tackle but filled in at left tackle when needed. Last year, the 26-year-old played 664 NFL snaps at right tackle. He earned a 67.1 pass-block grade and a 54.4 run block grade. However, Borom did not record any snaps in 2025 at left tackle.
While there has been speculation that Penei Sewell could be moved over to cover that position, asking a player to take on a new role doesn’t always translate well. Sewell is an elite Pro Bowl talent at his position. Moving him to an unfamiliar role isn’t the best option. Instead, finding a talented left tackle in the draft would be a far better solution.
Free Agency Improved The Lions’ EDGE Position
Detroit is also in need of a talented starting EDGE. Holmes’ acquisition of veterans D.J. Wonnum and Payton Turner will help stabilize the position, especially after the loss of Al-Quadin Muhammad. However, the depth at that position remains alarmingly thin.
Free Agency Improved The Lions’ Secondary
Holmes free agent acquisition of cornerback Christian Izien rates high marks. However, replacing the triple-threat loss of starters Brian Branch, Kerby Joseph, and Terrion Arnold, for all or part of the season, makes improving the injury-depleted secondary a high priority.
Lions’ Draft Options:
Detroit’s top three draft needs are EDGE, left tackle, and secondary. In the first and second rounds, Holmes will be looking to draft NFL-ready players who can make an immediate impact. The Lions’ first four 2026 NFL Draft picks are as follows: First Round: number 17, Second round: number 50, Fourth round: numbers 118 and 128. Depending upon which areas Holmes chooses to prioritize, here are six talented players who are projected to fall within the first two rounds.
Lions’ 1st round option at number 17: Left Tackle
An ideal fit for the Lions in round one would be Alabama’s All-SEC left tackle, Kadyn Proctor. According to Bucky Brooks Top Five Prospects By Position list, Proctor is “a massive edge blocker with the talent and potential to star at the next level. Although his weight issues could impact his play, there is no denying the Alabama star’s talent and potential if he refines his game under a detail-oriented coaching staff.”
Proctor earned an impressive 84 on his Combine Athleticism score and a 74 Production grade, ranking him 5th overall. Given high marks by Lance Zierlein, he described Proctor as “a mass of humanity with rare size and length at his command. He’s capable as a move blocker but shines when rolling downhill as a bona-fide people mover with bulldozing power.”
Lions’ 1st round option at number 17: EDGE
While only a junior, Keldric Faulk possesses that rare combination of athleticism, maturity, leadership, and accountability. He earned the admiration and respect of his coaches for his relentless motor and disciplined technique. NFL Analyst Zierlein described him as a player who has the potential to align at any spot in odd or even fronts with the tools to penetrate or maintain gap integrity on lateral run plays.”
The 20-year-old Auburn talent posted 110 career tackles (74 solo), 10.0 sacks, six pass defenses, 30 pressures, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries in his 37 career games with 32 starts. According to NFLdraftbuzz.com, “In run defense, Faulk is one of the most complete and punishing edge defenders to come through the SEC in recent memory. He plays with a level of physicality and technique against the ground game that will translate from Day 1, and there is no defensive coordinator in the league who would not benefit from plugging him into early-down rotations immediately.”
In addition to his strong athletic traits, Faulk has the maturity and high character the Lions seek. He would be an excellent first-round pick for Holmes.
Auburn Tigers defensive end Keldric Faulk (15) celebrates a stop as the Auburn Tigers take on South Alabama Jaguars at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala. Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. Auburn Tigers lead South Alabama Jaguars 28-9 at halftime.
Lions’ 1st round option at number 17: Safety
Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman was initially projected as a high second-round pick. However, he undoubtedly boosted his draft capital with a stunning performance at the NFL Combine. Recording a 4.35 40-yard dash, 10’5” broad jump, and a 41” vertical, Thieneman received an impressive 86 Athleticism score that ranked first among his class.
Projected as an immediate contributor, NFLdraftbuzz.com reports, “Thieneman is the kind of safety who walks into a defensive meeting room on Day One and immediately earns his keep.
Zierlein noted his rare three-season production of 306 tackles and eight interceptions, along with his athleticism and versatility to play all three safety positions. Thieneman’s elite athleticism and positional versatility would provide the Lions with an immediate-impact player who could adequately cover for a starting safety or cornerback.
Lions’ 2nd round option at number 50: Left Tackle
Caleb Tiernan, a 6’8″ 323 lb. Livonia Michigan native is projected as a quality second-round selection. The talented offensive lineman from Northwestern as praised by his coach for his exemplary work ethic and leadership. At the NFL Combine, he placed fourth in his Production Score of 74.
Although Tiernan played all but one of his 784 snaps last year at left tackle, he has the versatility to play both positions. Finishing the year with an 82.7 pass block grade, Tiernan gave up only three sacks and four QB hits. While he is strong in his pass game, his run game is weaker.
However, according to Zierlein, Tiernan “carries the denseness of frame and core strength of a guard. Feet feature good initial quickness, and he takes excellent angles on the move.”
Nov 23, 2024; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Northwestern Wildcats offensive lineman Caleb Tiernan (72) blocks Michigan Wolverines defensive end Tyler McLaurin (27) in the second half at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Lions’ 2nd round option at number 50: EDGE
The EDGE class for the 2026 Draft is one of the deepest in recent memory. Consequently, several promising young talents are likely to be available in the second round. Either T.J. Parker from Clemson or Michigan’s Derrick Moore would be the top choices.
Parker is an impressive 6’4”, 263 lb. Junior whose profile on nfldraftbuzz.com describes a player who “weaponizes his hands at the point of attack with violent striking and active counters that regularly leave offensive tackles grasping at air. Furthermore, his “ball stripping ability is elite” with six forced fumbles in 2024 that were attributed to “precise timing and calculated violence at the catch point.”
Moore is equally impressive as a pass rusher and was described by Zierlein as “a bull-rush aficionado, piling up pressures and sacks. “ At 6’4” and 255 lbs., Moore is a talented product of the same Michigan program as Aidan Hutchinson, which suggests the two would pair nicely. In his senior year, the former Michigan team captain posted 10.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks in 12 starts. He was named Michigan’s Defensive Player of the Year and Bo Schembechler MVP.
Lions’ 2nd round option at number 50: Secondary
LSU safety A.J. Haulcy was described by The Athletic’s Colton Pouncey as “a complete safety with excellent ball production, Haulcy covers a ton of ground and can handle responsibilities near the line of scrimmage, too.”
At 6’0″ tall and 222 pounds, Haulcy is primarily a zone/slot safety with the physicality and coverage instincts to become a plug-and-play starter in the NFL. He began his career at New Mexico and TCU before transferring to LSU for his senior year. Fine-tuning his skills at every stop along the way, Haulcy hit his stride at LSU.
Earning First Team All-State and First Team All-District honors as a senior, Haulcy was described as a “ball-hawking defensive back” who racked up three pick-sixes. During his 48-game collegiate career, Haulcy recorded 347 tackles (203 solo), 10 interceptions, defended 19 passes, and forced four fumbles.
NFLdraftbuzz.com profiles Haulcy as the type of safety who understands spacing and highlights his ability to process quarterback progressions and anticipate the ball’s arrival wwith precise timing. He was praised for his coverage instincts and run defense.
Currently ranked number 45 on the LWOS 2026 NFL Draft Big Board, Haulcy could fit in well as a solid second-round pick for the Lions, who hold the 50th pick.