The NFL Draft tends to draw extreme reactions.
But in the case of the Lions, no one's tripping over themselves to either crown or condemn Brad Holmes' latest class.
Most pundits -- if not most fans -- seem to agree that it was a solid haul of players who will fill some important needs for Detroit in 2026 and beyond. The general grade: B/B+.
Indeed, among 24 national media members who handed out draft grades for each team, the Lions didn't score lower than a C and didn't score higher than an A-. Their composite grade ranked right in the middle of the league.
🚨 2026 NFL Draft Team Grades
In my annual draft grades round-up, I have compiled 24 different evaluations and calculated the GPA for all 32 teams.
I sorted the evaluations by GPA as well. From left (soft) to right (hard graders).
Thanks to all who give out grades every year! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/VysunPaW9H
— René Bugner (@RNBWCV) April 27, 2026
The two highest grades, both A-, came from NFL.com's Chad Reuter (who didn't grade any class lower than a B) and Vinnie Iyer of the Sporting News. The lowest grade came from Pete Prisco of CBS Sports.
Here's some of what those analysts had to say.
Reuter approved of the Lions taking Blake Miller, "a solid, experienced tackle," in the first round as a replacement for Taylor Decker, especially after his strong showing at the combine. He also liked their move to go get "bullish pass rusher" Derrick Moore as a complement to Aidan Hutchinson. Of the Day 3 picks, Reuter says that Jimmy Rolder's "aggressive style will endear him to Lions fans" and that sixth-round defensive tackle Sykler Gill-Howard "is undersized but stood out on Texas Tech’s star-studded defense before an ankle injury ended his season."
Iyer pointed out that Holmes was in "the unique position of reloading for a contender instead of trying for a overhaul," and echoed Reuter's sentiments on Miller and Moore -- "the right Michigan man to put opposite Aidan Hutchinson." He says that fifth-round corner Keith Abney II "was their later steal to ensure another solid haul."
Prisco wasn't so sold. He agreed that Abney was the Lions' best pick, "a tough, physical corner who should push for time in the corner mix as a second-year player." But he said their worst pick was Miller 17th overall, "who wasn't a player I rated as highly as others." Prisco says that the Lions "badly need" Miller and Moore "to both be impact players as rookies, because they have issues at both spots."
Like Reuter, Prisco said to "keep an eye on Gill-Howard: He has some pop."
