Monday, February 16, 2026

Detroit Lions Brad Homes 5 year draft report

Grading the Brad Holmes draft era 2021-2025 2021 
















 Penei Sewell Pick # 7
 83 starts AV 71
 Foundational piece. Hall of Fame type pick. 
3 time All-Pro player.
4 time Pro Bowler















Levi Onwuzurike Round # 2 Pick #41 42 games 10 starts AV 7 
Levi was considered by the Lions to be first round prospect. 
Missed opted out of his senior year in 2020, Hurt his back at the Senior Bowl 
Was in the rotation in 2021 35 tackles Missed 2022 due to a back injury. 
Played 10 games in 2023 making 10 tackles 
Had his best season in 2024. starting 10 games and making 28 tackles.
Re-signed in 2025 but missed the season with a torn ACL. 

 An often injured player who has been a major disappointment sans the stretch in 2024. 














 Alim McNeill Round # 3 Pick # 72 
71 games 59 starts AV 25 
 Moved into the starting lineup as a rookie 39 tackles 2 sacks 
Started in 2022 41 tackles 1 sack
 Played very well in 2023 5 sacks in 13 starts. 
Was a possible pro bowl player until he torn his ACL Thanksgiving, 25 tackles 2.5 sacks 
 Returned after missing the first 6 games, played poorly. 14 tackles 1 sack in 10 games. 

 Looked like as steal for the Lions until the injury. Hopefully, he can return to form in 2026.















Iffy Melifonwu Round # 3 Pick # 101 
37 games 14 starts AV 6 
 Drafted as cornerback as the first player in the Stafford trade. 
Injured early in 2021 after earning a start vs. the Packers Played 7 games 15 tackles 2 FR 
Injured again in 2022 playing 10 games making 14 tackles. 
In 2023, played a huge role down the stretch. making 33 tackles 3 sacks and 2 picks.
 Made the Division clinching vs. the Vikings. 
 Injured 3 times in 2024. Started 3 games and made 10 tackles. Injured late in the first half vs. Washington 
Not re-signed in 2025. 

 Like Levi, Injuries derailed his time in Detroit, His performance in 20223 is what the Lions had hoped for when they drafted him.















Amon-Ra St. Brown Round # 4 Pick # 112 
83 games 75 Starts AV 63
Made 90 catches and scored 6 touchdowns as a rookie 
Made 4 consecutive Pro Bowls and 3 All-Pro teams 
Moved into 3rd on the Lions TD catch list. 

 A signature pick for Holmes. A possible Hall of Famer in the Fourth round. 




 










Derrick Barnes Round # 4 Pick #113
 68 games 43 starts AV 17 
 Thrusted into the starting lineup as a rookie. Making 67 tackles.
 Played off the ball in 2022 making 47 tackles.
 Moved to SAM in 2023. making 81 tackles 
2024 torn his PCL in game #3 
 Re-signed to a 3 year contract and started 17 games in 2025. 
 He struggled to regain his pre injury form. 

 A Brad Holmes draft day trade special. Trading up to get him. Has been solid but has to prove worthy of the extension in 2026. 















Justin Jefferson Round # 7 Pick 251 
7 Games AV 1 
2021 made the team and played in 7 games. Injured his knee on a touchdown run vs Pittsburgh 
Saw action in 2 games in 2024. 
Not re-signed for 2025. 

 Jefferson stuck around for 4 years. Injuries limited his chances and could not make an impact

Total for the draft

2 All Pro Players
4 full time starters
5 second contracts
total AV 190 ave 38

2022














Aidan Hutchinson Pick #2
56 starts 33 AV

2022 started 17 games making an instant impact 9.5 sacks and 3 picks
Finished second in the Defensive Rookie of the Year to Sauce.
2023 made Pro Bowl with 11.5 sacks
2024 Injured in the Cowboys game. Still led the team with 7.5 sacks
2025 Made All-Pro and Pro bowl. Career high 14.5 sacks.

Foundational piece. A one man pass rush. 5 career int 13 pass break ups 8 FF.














Jameson Williams Pick # 12
50 games 36 starts Av 27

2022 Missed the first 11 games with a torn ACL. Had touchdowns on first two touches.
2023 Missed 5 games showed promise with 24 catches and 3 total td
2024 breakout year over 1,000 yards and 8 total touchdowns.
2025 1117  yards and 7 touchdowns

A player that continue to improve. Received a contract extension.














Josh Paschal Round # 2 Pick # 46
36 games 18 starts AV 9
2022 missed 7 games played in the rotation 2 sacks
2023 Missed 5 games 1 sack
2024 Missed 3 games 2 sacks
2025 Missed the season with a back injury
2026 under contract

Injuries have derailed his development. Never really found a place in the rotation. 














Kerby Joseph Round # 3 Pick # 97
55 games 52 starts 27 AV

2022 Moved into the starting lineup Led the team with 4 interceptions
2023 Started 15 games Led the team with 4 interceptions
2024 All-Pro Led the NFL with 9 interceptions
2025 Injured in training camp played in 6 games led the team with 3 interceptions

Looked like another steal until a knee injury has his future in major doubt. 















James Mitchell Round # 5 Pick # 177
29 games 1 start AV 1

2022 Coming off a torn ACL his senior year caught 11 passes 1 td
2023 Injured late in the season cost him an opportunity in the playoffs
2024 Practice squad 1 game
2025 not re-signed

Injuries effected his development. Could not carve a niche in the rotation.















Malcolm Rodriguez Round # 6 Pick # 188
50 games 26 starts 12 AV

2022 started at linebacker 87 tackles
2023 Played as a backup 
2024 started when Anzalone was injured. Played well Toe ACL on Thanksgiving.
2025 missed 10 games made 1 start. Did not play well

A good pick in the late rounds. Looked like a bonified  starter until the injury derailed his season.













James Houston Round # 6 Pick # 217
17 games 3 starts 2 AV
2022 started the year on the practice squad. Played 7 games 8 sacks
2023 injured in the second game missing the regular season.
2024 Lasted 8 games but was cut after making just 8 tackles.

Looked like a find until his injury, The Lions tried to make him a linebacker. Did not work.















Chase Lucas Round # 7 Pick #237
18 games 1 AV
2022 played in 6 games
2023 played in 12 games
Not re-signed for 2024.

Mostly a special teams player never could break into the rotation at corner.

Draft Review
All-Pro Players 2
Starters 3
Av 112 ave 28

2023

Jah


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