The Lions Got Better at Every Position — Here’s the Full Draft Breakdown

Draft analyst Russell Brown joined the Heavyweights to dissect every Lions pick, and the verdict is clear: Brad Holmes did it again. From the plug-and-play right tackle Blake Miller to sleeper UDFA Eric Wright, Detroit added competition and talent across the board.

Blake Miller is the Real Deal — Stop the Monroe Freeling Discourse

Look, we were all on the Monroe Freeling train. Russell Brown was conducting that thing back in January. But here’s the reality: the Lions got a 54-game starter who’s arguably the most pro-ready offensive tackle in this entire draft class.

Blake Miller isn’t a project. He’s a plug-and-play right tackle who’s going to start from day one. The guy erased Dylan Stewart — potentially the number one overall pick next year — in that South Carolina game. When you watch his run blocking, it’s hard not to get excited. Jahmyr Gibbs hitting outside zone runs behind Miller and Penei Sewell? Yeah, we’re going to be dumping Kool-Aid on ourselves again.

Are there concerns? Sure. His foot speed looks questionable at times, and he can get stuck in the dirt with his post foot. But the Lions needed a starter on the offensive line after bringing in depth pieces like Juice Scruggs and Larry Borom. They got one. It would’ve been a disservice to not grab an offensive tackle in the first round, and Brad Holmes delivered.

“What you see is what you’re going to get. And that’s a darn good football player that’s going to help them in the run game.”

Derrick Moore Was Worth the Trade Up

The Lions jumped from 50 to 44 to snag Derrick Moore, and the reasoning makes perfect sense: they were jumping the Ravens. Moore grew up a Baltimore fan, Jesse Minter is running that defense now, and you can connect those dots pretty easily. Detroit wasn’t going to risk losing their guy.

Here’s what Moore brings: he’s physical, he’s a power rusher with that long arm technique, and he’s going to set the edge against the run consistently. Is he a little one-dimensional? Maybe. But the Lions don’t need him playing 100% of snaps. DJ Wonnum, Tyler Lacey, and Ahmed Hassan are all going to rotate in. Get Moore out there for 65-70% and let him generate sacks and pressures.

The real upside? Moore is just scratching the surface. He credited Pernell McPhee, his defensive end coach at Michigan, for advancing his game over the last couple years. That’s why we saw 10 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss this past season — his best at Michigan. The NFL development hasn’t even started yet.

Jimmy Rolder Could Push Malcolm Rodriguez

This one raised some eyebrows. Jimmy Rolder only started one year at Nebraska, and the initial read was “special teams guy.” But don’t sleep on him — he’s going to compete with Malcolm Rodriguez for the starting will linebacker spot.

Rolder’s got urgency, effort, and range when scraping over the top. He’s still rough around the edges and he’s not getting any taller at his size, but he’s a team-first player who takes on blocks willingly. The special teams value alone is massive. Remember last year when Jack Campbell was running down on kickoff? You cannot have your $20 million linebacker doing that. Jimmy Rolder fixes that problem immediately.

And on certain down-and-distances, bringing Rolder in to blitz and mug gaps could be lethal. He can blow up running backs and tight ends trying to max protect. There’s real potential here beyond the special teams floor.

Kendrick Law is the New Kalif Raymond

Brad Holmes traded up to get Kendrick Law, and he’s stepping right into that competition with Greg Dorsch and Donovan Peoples-Jones for the Kalif Raymond role. The five receivers heading into the season might be Jameson Williams, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Tim Patrick, Dorsch, and Law.

Law isn’t a great route runner. That’s the knock. But if you’re using pre-snap motion and exit motions to get him going sideline to sideline at full speed? That’s where he thrives. Watch his Kentucky tape — they did it constantly with speed outs and vertical routes. Better quarterback play would’ve made him a much higher prospect.

At 5’11, 203 pounds running 4.45 speed, Law is a good downfield blocker with real effort. Drew Petzing is going to develop him, and the Lions are laying groundwork for the future. Dorsch is only on a one-year deal. Peoples-Jones is a question mark. Law is here on a four-year rookie contract. That’s roster certainty.

The Interior D-Line Got Serious Depth

Skylar Gilmore-Howard — call him SGH — is a spark plug at 6’1, 280 pounds. He understands leverage, works his hands, and maneuvers down the line of scrimmage reading blockers and pullers. He’s going to play three-tech, potentially filling that Roy Lopez rotational role alongside Mazi Smith and Levi Onwuzurike.

Tyreek West might not make the 53-man roster, but at 6’3, 290, he brings physicality and can play across the interior. The Lions are adding competition to a room that lost DJ Reader and Roy Lopez. Jay Tufele, the veteran they signed from Cincinnati, gets a chance too. Best man wins — that’s the Dan Campbell way.

Keith Abney Has Jerry Jacobs Potential

The fifth-round corner out of Oregon was a steal. Dane Brugler had him ranked 61st overall. The Lions now have 10 corners on the depth chart, but Abney’s got a real path to playing time.

He’s undersized at 5’9, 187 pounds, and the lack of length is going to show up against bigger receivers and when fighting through blocks. But he’s willing in run support, competes hard at the catch point, and finishes tackles in space. The comp? He’s built like Ricardo Allen but plays like Jerry Jacobs — that dog mentality who made guys better and took advantage as an undrafted free agent.

Most importantly, Abney’s on a four-year rookie deal. If Roger McCreary or Carlton Davis walk after their one-year deals, Abney is already waiting in the wings. No need to rush him into the fire like Detroit’s had to do with corners in the past.

UDFA Watch: Eric Wright is the Name to Know

The Morgan State linebacker got a three-year deal just north of $3 million with $150K guaranteed. That’s real money for an undrafted guy, which means Detroit has a plan for him.

At 6’4, 220 pounds, Wright looks the part. He’s a ball of clay with range and speed who made things look easy against lesser competition. The Lions haven’t missed on developmental linebacker prospects lately, and Wright could be next in line if anyone in that room gets banged up.

Aiden Kaniho, the Cal defensive tackle, also got guaranteed money. The Lions clearly need bodies behind Alim McNeill and Levi Onwuzurike, and they’re creating competition everywhere.

The Betting Favorite For a Reason

The Lions are the favorite to win the Super Bowl, and this draft shows why. Blake Miller, Derrick Moore, Jimmy Rolder, Kendrick Law, Keith Abney — this feels like the 2023 draft class that propelled Detroit to the NFC Championship. They’re turning the page from last year’s anomaly and setting the table for sustained success.

Brad Holmes is building through competition at every position. One-year veteran deals create urgency. Rookie contracts create cost certainty. And Dan Campbell’s culture makes sure the best players win their spots. The window isn’t just open — it’s getting wider.

The Takeaways

• Blake Miller is a 54-game starter who’s the most pro-ready tackle in the draft — stop mourning Monroe Freeling
• Derrick Moore is just scratching the surface after 10 sacks at Michigan and the Lions jumped Baltimore to get him
• Keith Abney in the fifth round is absurd value — he’s got Jerry Jacobs dog mentality on a four-year deal
• Kendrick Law is stepping into the Kalif Raymond role with 4.45 speed and real blocking ability
• This draft class feels like 2023 — the foundation for another deep playoff run

Watch the full segment on YouTube: Russell Brown Breaks Down the Detroit Lions Draft