The final piece?
It’s tempting to think about Terrion Arnold that way.
Although an unproven rookie, he is already the Lions’ best cornerback.
You couldn’t handpick a player for the Lions in the 2024 NFL Draft and come up with a better answer than Arnold.
He is that good, and is an outside corner, by far the Lions’ biggest position of need.
He is smooth in regard to change of direction, while tough and strong enough to jam receivers.
He is to outside cornerback what his teammate at Alabama Brian Branch is to the slot.
Holmes was able to get to a secondary overall. The Lions’ starting safeties are third-round draft picks Kerby Joseph and Ifeatu Melinfonu. Branch was a second-round pick and now the Lions have a first-rounder, Arnold.
That Arnold was there at 24th overall is stunning. Holmes picked the perfect time to move up. There is no way he would’ve been there if the Lions stayed at 29. It was worth the third-round selection the Lions’ forfeited to the Cowboys.
Subsequently, what the Lions do from this point forward of the draft is gravy.
There will be good players at No.61, their next selection.
Receiver, interior offensive line, edge and secondary would make the most sense for the Lions’ to address, but they are in a unique position of not needing to do anything, which is unusual for a contending squad in position for finishing touches.
Guard Christian Hayes (UConn), cornerback Max Melton (Rutgers), edge Jonah Elliss (Utah) and receiver Ja’Lynn Polk would be good value picks for the Lions in the second round.
Holmes has displayed an uncanny feel for the draft.
It continued Thursday. Expect more of the same Friday and Saturday.