The Detroit Lions have drafted so well that second contracts for players from Brad Holmes' first three draft classes have become a legit constraint on what can be done in terms of making notable outside additions. That said, plenty of other teams in a similar position on the contender scale don't openly make the excuses Holmes likes to about that lack of noteworthy moves.
Most people would say the Lions' first two draft picks this year (No. 17 and No. 50 overall) should be used on an offensive tackle and an edge rusher in whatever order. Holmes, as expected, doesn't necessarily agree. Despite diminished results over the last couple drafts, the approach is not changing.
ESPN's Bill Barnwell has take a run at recommending whether some teams should trade up or trade down in the first round of the draft. The Lions made the list, with a case to trade down from No. 17 overall.
"After years of growth and sustained success, GM Brad Holmes and the Lions are in the middle of a difficult offseason. The 2025 team that had Super Bowl aspirations missed the playoffs, and the young core that propelled the Lions forward on rookie deals is getting much more expensive. Though several standouts have already signed extensions, the likes of Jahmyr Gibbs, Sam LaPorta, Jack Campbell and Brian Branch are all eligible for their second contracts this offseason."
Barnwell noted how Branch's Achilles' tear adds a layer to his situation, and allows the Lions to delay signing him to an extension. But Gibbs, Campbell and LaPorta are lined up to get lucrative contract extensions this offseason.
The Lions already have some big contracts on their books (Penei Sewell, Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Aidan Hutchinson), and Barnwell noted that as part of the case to trade down.
"With Jared Goff, Aidan Hutchinson, Penei Sewell, Amon-Ra St. Brown and others already on significant deals, the Lions are going to be facing a cap crunch in the years to come."
"Having too many talented players is a good problem for teams to have, but Holmes now needs to find the next generation of young Lions to supplement those players as they enter their primes. The Lions have been quiet in free agency owing to those financial constraints apart from a deal for center Cade Mays, who steps in for the released Graham Glasgow. Detroit is also down a pair of third-round picks in this year's draft after trading up for receiver Isaac TeSlaa last year."
"It would be a surprise if the Lions traded out of the first round and did something drastic, and given their needs at offensive tackle and edge rusher, they probably don't want to drop too far to ensure having a shot at a player who can step in as a starter in 2026. But dropping down a few spots and getting a third-round pick back would be the ideal scenario for Holmes."
READ MORE: Analyst invites Lions' outlook that once seemed absolutely impossible
"Kudos" to Barnwell for using the buzzphrase Holmes used over and over during a recent appearance on the podcast--"financial constraints." That means the message the Lions' general manager clearly wanted to put out there during that interview stuck, to the point a noted national NFL writer has used the phrase verbatim.
But Barnwell's overall case for the Lions to trade down in the first round sticks. A big second contract for another young star won't be a thing until some of the aforementioned players have graduated out of their big contracts, but they'll be replaced on the future books by Gibbs, Campbell, etc.
And if we know nothing else right now, Holmes is keenly aware of future financial considerations....er, sorry, future "financial constraints."
Add us as a preferred source on Google