Tag: Brad Holmes

Brad Holmes and the ‘cluster’ of talented options at No. 7 overall

Lions GM Brad Holmes spoke about the ‘cluster’ of talented options at No. 7 overall in the 2021 NFL draft

Lions GM Brad Holmes used an interesting phrase when talking about his team’s options with the No. 7 overall pick in next week’s 2021 NFL draft. Holmes, in his pre-draft press conference on Friday, talked about a “cluster” of different positional needs and potential talents that would fit the bill for the pick.

“But at seven we do have a cluster of players that we’re comfortable with picking,” Holmes said, while quickly adding that the team is willing to move up or down, too.

The word “cluster” has often been used derisively to describe the Lions and their front office, but in this case Holmes should earn respect and praise for using it. By identifying a wider swath of potential picks, Holmes is keeping the Lions from being painted into a corner with any specific player or position. That’s smart for a team that needs impact talent at several key positions on both sides of the ball and has a limited amount of draft capital to fill those holes.

When pressed about who or what might be in the cluster, Holmes refused to bite. The general consensus is the team is looking at wide receiver, offensive tackle, defensive end and perhaps either linebacker or even quarterback with its first pick.

It’s fairly standard practice for NFL teams to have specific tiers of equivalent talents for draft ranges, and they can prioritize any player within that tier when it’s time to make the pick. At No. 7 and with the self-described cluster, it’s unlikely the Lions will be forced to dip into a lower tier to make a pick, and if they are there should be some trade offers from below to consider, too.

 

Brad Holmes: Lions prepared ‘to move in either direction’ in first-round draft trades

Holmes is keeping his options open to move up or down in the draft

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbx8sj47vkwrznr player_id=none image=https://lionswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes held his final pre-draft press conference on Friday. The rookie GM showed a lot of poise and wisdom beyond his experience level, providing some clues to where the Lions might look in the draft while keeping his hold cards concealed.

When asked about the value of picking at No. 7 overall, Holmes acknowledged the high value in getting it right. But he also noted that the Lions are open to trading the pick–and not just trading back from the top 10.

“Whenever you’re picking in the top-10, obviously it’s an extremely valued pick. It’s very exciting to be looking at this crop of players that would be worthy of selecting,” Holmes stated. “Where I just came from (the Los Angeles Rams), I wasn’t really used to picking in the first round that much, being up in the top 10. But at No. 7, we do have a cluster of players that we’re comfortable with picking.”

And then came the mic drop,

“At the same time, we will be very prepared and also to move in either direction. We’re still open in those regards.”

Many fans have openly rooted for the Lions to trade back and acquire more picks, but Holmes has now stated for the second time in the draft process that he’s not opposed to moving up if the value is there.

The first two picks appear to be locked in with Jacksonville projected to select Trevor Lawrence and the Jets keyed in on Zach Wilson. San Francisco already traded up to No. 3, which effectively rules them out as a trading partner as well. Atlanta at No. 4 and Cincinnati at No. 5 would be the logical trading partner for Detroit if they wish to move up.

For what player(s) would Holmes consider moving up for? The GM didn’t bite on that one.

Brad Holmes: Lions had several ‘aggressive offers’ for Matthew Stafford

Holmes talked about the intense interest around the league in Stafford

The time between the Detroit Lions revealing that longtime quarterback Matthew Stafford was available via trade and the deal worked out between the Lions and Rams didn’t take nearly as long as many expected. Lions GM Brad Holmes quickly worked out a deal with his old employer to send Stafford to Los Angeles in exchange for Jared Goff, two first-round picks and a third-round pick.

In his press conference on Friday introducing Goff to the Detroit media, Holmes let it be known he had multiple strong offers for Stafford. But in the end, he was drawn to getting Goff as part of the return.

“There was quite a number of teams, not to say anyone specifically, but quite a number of teams that had all aggressive offers,” Holmes said. “So, when we started discussions with the Rams and with (GM) Les (Snead), obviously, that’s when Jared (Goff) came into play. I did think that out of all the aggressive offers, and competitive offers that we were weighing, that to be able to acquire a quarterback at the status level of what Jared has accomplished, I thought that was very, very intriguing from a compensation standpoint.”

Holmes didn’t name names, obviously. But based on the frenzied reporting around the subsequent Carson Wentz deal and possible presences of Russell Wilson and Deshaun Watson on the trade block, it’s easy to validate Holmes’ claim. Teams like Indianapolis (which traded for Wentz), Chicago, Dallas (which re-signed Dak Prescott), Washington and Denver had been commonly linked to talking to the Lions about Stafford’s availability prior to the trade between the Lions and Rams.

Based on the return the Eagles got for Wentz–a younger QB than Stafford–Holmes did well in getting the return he did for Stafford. The Eagles received a 2021 third-round pick and a conditional 2022 draft choice that will be a first- or second-round pick as part of the deal. The Rams including Goff, albeit with a hefty cost to the salary cap, was too sweet for Holmes to pass up.

Lions still ‘working the phones’ but taking it slow in free agency

GM Brad Holmes and the Lions have yet to sign an outside free agent this week

Tuesday came and went without any free agents agreeing to terms or linked with imminent deals coming in Detroit. After two days of the legal tampering period to kick off free agency, the Lions have yet to add a single player from outside the organization. New Lions GM Brad Holmes and his staff have taken it slowly at the onset of free agency.

The team has jettisoned some veterans, notably Danny Shelton and Justin Coleman, but the only players Detroit has signed are returning talents, DE Romeo Okwara and LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin. Tight end Josh Hill and wide receiver Tyrell Williams were signed before free agency began after being released by their old teams, so they don’t technically count in free agency.

It’s led to some anxious thumb-twiddling in Detroit. Are the Lions trying to get better?

The Lions were linked to the pursuit of a couple of players who signed elsewhere. Safety John Johnson wound up in Cleveland and took significantly less money to join the Browns instead of going for the money with an unnamed team–which could be (but cannot be confirmed) the Lions.

Peter Schrager of Good Morning Football reinforced that the Lions are still “working the phones”, but so far the parties on the other end haven’t bought what Holmes and the Lions are selling.

Deals cannot become official until 4 p.m. on Wednesday, and there is no deadline to sign players. There is still time for the Lions to add talent, and there are players at several positions who can help the team long-term still available. But thus far, the lack of activity is a sign…

A sign of what? That’s what we don’t know about the new regime. Are they just being patient and letting the market settle? Is it the specific situation of not having much cap room? Or not realistically being a contender in 2021 as the rebuild begins? Are players looking elsewhere because they don’t want to be in Detroit or want better opportunities to win next season?

Those are questions we can’t answer right now. Holmes and the Lions are carving their own new path, and it’s an unfamiliar feeling for the fans, the media and the players themselves.

[lawrence-related id=59859]

5 thoughts on Trey Lance and the Lions

On the player, the fit, the Lions pursuit and the chances it happens

The NFL eyes shifted to Fargo for a day with the Bison of North Dakota State holding a pro day. The festivities were broadcast live nationally from the event to capture the growing fascination with Bison QB Trey Lance, a surefire top-15 pick in next month’s draft.

Lions GM Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell made the trip and watched Lance work out up close and personal. They were joined by several other prominent NFL decision-makers from several teams who could be in the quarterback market, including a few that select before the Lions at No. 7 overall.

I watched the pro day coverage and came away with a few quick thoughts on Lance, the Lions fit and what might happen with each.

Brad Holmes on the Dan Campbell introductory press conference: ‘I’m glad I went first’

Holmes had some fun being front row for Campbell’s legendary presser

Brad Holmes is happy he was the leadoff man and not the follow-up act to Dan Campell when the new Lions duo were introduced to the public and the press.

In an appearance on the Huddle and Flow podcast with Steve Wyche and Jim Trotter, the new Lions GM offered quite a few interesting tidbits and peeks behind the veil of his thought process entering the draft and free agency period.

Trotter asked Holmes about the now-legendary Campbell “biting kneecaps” introductory press conference. Homes let out a hearty laugh before answering.

“I was happy that I went first,” Holmes deadpanned. “I didn’t have to follow up after that.”

He appreciated Campbell’s passion and energy.

“It was cool to be sitting front row live at that,” Holmes continued. “I really felt like I was front row at a concert … it was Dan being Dan. That energy and passion and that determination and grit, that is 100 percent authentic, genuine. That is Dan. Now it’s not kneecaps bitten off on a regular, everyday basis, but that kind of energy and passion and juice that he brings, that is legit and he’s like that every day.”

Holmes also talked about the impact Campbell has on the Ford family, the owners of the Lions, when they have their frequent meetings with them.

“They’re all ready to strap on (pads) and play,” Holmes said enthusiastically, adding he is too. That’s the Campbell impact.

The conversation opens up with the three men discussing the transition from being an HBCU player into the world of NFL scouting and climbing the ladder. It’s an interesting perspective that is worth paying attention to as well.

[lawrence-related id=57913]

Report: Franchise tag deadline could get pushed back

Lions GM Brad Holmes could get more time to make a decision on Golladay or Okwara

The long-scheduled deadline for teams to apply the franchise and transition tags to pending free agent players has been Tuesday, March 9th at 4 p.m. ET. But some uncertainty with the 2021 salary cap could push the deadline back a couple of days.

Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reported on Monday that the failure of the league to determine the actual hard salary cap figure could impact the deadline.

“If the official salary cap number doesn’t come today and soon, NFL will have to move back the deadline to franchise tag players from Tuesday,” Rapoport tweeted early Monday. “It’s a situation several GMs are bracing for.”

One of those GMs is Detroit’s Brad Holmes, who has the potential to use the tag on either WR Kenny Golladay or DE Romeo Okwara. The Lions have a tight salary cap budget where every dollar is significant, so the lack of knowledge of the exact cap inhibits Holmes’ ability to make a proper decision. The Lions aren’t the only team in that boat, but it’s the most important boat for Detroit fans.

Listen: Detroit Lions Podcast breaks down the Campbell and Holmes media appearances

Listen: Detroit Lions Podcast breaks down the Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes media appearances and what they really said and meant

The latest edition of the Detroit Lions Podcast featuring Lions Wire editor Jeff Risdon is now available for download, streaming and listening.

The primary focus is the Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell press conferences from this week and what the new Lions leadership is saying. How is it different from what we’ve seen and heard before?

We also break down the Dan Campbell interview with Pat McAfee from earlier in the day. Dan talks about a number of fun topics and shares some information about how he shifted his thinking about entering coaching. Also, the Lions signed WR Tyrell Williams – what does he offer Detroit? And could there be more pending moves on the way?

Ep: 332 – Alpha Males Are Back – Detroit Lions Podcast

The show is also available on YouTube for those who like to watch and get some video aides,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_701XT2-pM

Brad Holmes smartly keeps his options open for the No. 7 pick and the Lions QB future

Holmes keeps his options open and creates some potential trade leverage in the process

One of the goals from the media when GM Brad Holmes stepped to the microphone for his Zoom press conference with reporters on Tuesday was to try and pry loose a morsel or two on the Detroit Lions’ intentions in the upcoming 2021 NFL draft. Holmes artfully dodged being painted into any corner with the No. 7 overall pick.

But he also kept alive the idea that the Lions are in the quarterback market with their top pick. Even though Holmes clearly knows Jared Goff well and is a big reason why the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft will be coming to Detroit in the blockbuster trade, the rookie GM made it clear that taking a quarterback high in the first round is still very much on the table.

When asked about what positions he liked in the class, Holmes first brought up safety before moving into the quarterbacks,

“I like the crop of quarterbacks that are coming out in this year’s draft. That’s obviously always a very, very important position. When you’re picking inside the top 10, I don’t think that there’s a position that you really can look past at any level and say, ‘Oh, well, that’s not a very, very deep position.’

He later answered a different question, one framed around ESPN’s Mel Kiper’s opinion that the Lions should avoid a QB at No. 7, by hyping up both the 2021 quarterback draft class and the need to address the most important position on the field prominently when given a chance.

“I think the quarterback position in general – what’s cool about this year is that they’re in all different flavors. You have the guy who can actually do it all, can do it from the pocket, do it with his legs,” Holmes said, carefully avoiding mentioning any specific players by name. “You have another guy that’s probably a little bit more (the type who) does it with his legs, a little bit more being creative. There’s another guy that actually probably does it more from the pocket. So, all the different flavors make it very, very intriguing in terms of when you’re looking across the whole scope of the class of these quarterbacks.

I do think, again, when you’re picking in the top 10, I don’t think you can ignore – and I think it’s just smart drafting business anyways – is that when you’re picking in the top 10, that you make sure that you know that quarterback class very thoroughly.”

It’s a smart move by Holmes to keep the options open. Or rather, keep the appearance of all options being open. He’s sending a message to other teams that might want a quarterback prospect that No. 7 is in play. That creates leverage with the pick to move either up or down in the draft. It’s also an indication that Goff won’t simply be handed the long-term keys to the franchise when the trade is completed later in March.

[listicle id=59415]

Brad Holmes refuses to tip his hand on the Lions franchise tag decision on WR Kenny Golladay

Holmes also wouldn’t say if the team was working on a long-term deal with the pending free agent WR

The Detroit Lions have exactly one week until the March 9th deadline to place the franchise tag on pending free agent wide receiver Kenny Golladay. Lions GM Brad Holmes did not offer anything definitive on if the team will use the tag on Golladay during his press conference on Tuesday morning.

Golladay’s fate is a burning question amongst Lions fans and it quickly came up in Holmes’ press conference, too.

Holmes, clearly anticipating the line of questioning about the team’s top pending free agent, did not tip his hand at all in his answer.

“I don’t think there’s any debate that Kenny has shown the ability to be a No. 1 receiver in this league,” Holmes said. “And with that skill set that everybody knows that he has, we all know that he has and being at where we’re at from a roster standpoint, there’s also been no debate that Kenny’s been at the forefront of our mind in terms of making sure that we make the best possible decision for not only the Lions but for Kenny. So I wish I had a more direct answer to you to tell you exactly what we’re going to do, but out of respect for the process, I’ll keep that in house.”

As for the time frame, Holmes won’t be rushed into the decision.

“We want to make the best decision for the Lions and sometimes those decisions take a little bit longer,” Holmes said. “And the great thing is that we have a process in place that we believe in that we’ve been firm in. When we really start the planning stages of the process, that process can go all the way up to when you have to make the decision.”

When asked if the team had negotiated with Golladay on a possible contract extension, Holmes said he’d keep that information private out of respect for Golladay.