Brad Holmes on Trading Down: I'll Send a PSA and Apologize

Brad Holmes understands difficulty of trading out of first round as Draft hosts.

Feb 27, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Detroit Lions Executive Vice President and General Manager Brad Holmes. / Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Hosting the 2024 NFL Draft presents a unique situation for the Detroit Lions.

Picking at the end of the first round, No. 29 overall, the organization could keep their fans up late into the night waiting for their first selection. 

However, there’s no guarantee that the Lions even make a first-round selection, as they could trade back into the second round. Doing so would allow them to accumulate assets that will help them add talent to the roster. 

Yet, it could be disappointing for the fans who flocked to downtown Detroit in anticipation of the Lions making a first-round selection. 

General manager Brad Holmes acknowledged this, and noted that while he wants to make the fans happy, he will ultimately do what’s best for the organization. 

“That’s something that, we have to do the right thing for the organization,” Holmes explained in his pre-draft media session. “If it makes sense and it lines up and it’s the right thing to do, then we have to do the right thing and so, say that happens, where the fans have been waiting there all night for this pick and we get an offer that we really can’t turn down, we’ve got to do the right thing. And hopefully our fans will forgive us. We won’t expect immediate forgiveness right then and there, but hopefully when the season starts and that player selected is out there, we can get past that. I totally understand that.”

Holmes and his staff will be tasked with delivering another class full of standouts, as he set a high bar in 2023 with the selections of Brian Branch, Jahmyr Gibbs, Jack Campbell and Sam LaPorta. 

This year's Draft being hosted in Detroit presents a perfect opportunity for Holmes to add the missing pieces to his organization.

It will be an exciting time in Detroit, as the downtown area has already been transformed into a NFL-oriented event. Businesses in Detroit are expected to experience an economic boost, while the home team will ultimately offer fans an exciting moment.

But whether or not that moment comes in the first round remains to be seen. Holmes joked that he would send out a memo apologizing to fans if he ultimately elects to trade out of his current drafting position.

“Obviously, with the fans, and first of all I’m so excited about the Draft being in Detroit. I really am," Holmes said. "It’s just another opportunity for our franchise, our city, just for the world to migrate to downtown Detroit. We have multiple major NFL markets that are within driving distance so I expect it to be pretty packed. I’m excited for the local businesses. I think it’s gonna be really exciting. All that being said, I know the perfect storm is, okay, get to the pick, stay there, they’ve been waiting all night. You make the pick and everybody’s happy. But if it’s the best thing for the organization, we’ve got to do what’s right. I’ll send out a PSA and apologize.”