Lions' Brad Holmes Explains Day 1 Draft Decisions

The Detroit Lions make two picks in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

Prior to the draft, the Detroit Lions were in search of game-changers. 

And, Detroit's general manager Brad Holmes lived up to his pre-draft statement, indicating if a player fit the criteria of being a gritty and tough football player who loved the game, he would have no problem pulling the trigger on a trade (even being willing to deal picks to a team within the division). 

On Thursday evening, the Lions selected two players rated highly on many team's draft boards, with the first being EDGE rusher Aidan Hutchinson. 

"Well, he checks a lot of boxes that we look for," Holmes said. "From an intangibles standpoint, he plays with a really high motor. He loves football. He's very passionate about the game. But, the other thing I think gets lost with Aidan is a lot of people, when you talk about pass rushers, obviously, you are talking about sacks. And, he had a lot them, and he was very productive as a rusher last year. But, what gets lost is how effective he is in the run game."

© Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

© Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

While the sheer talent level of wideout Jameson Williams is off the charts, Holmes made it a point to express the several other desirable traits that made the former Alabama standout worth trading up for at No. 12. 

The team decided to move up 20 spots to secure the 21-year-old's services. 

"Obviously, we all know, he's explosive and can take the top off, speed, all that kind of stuff," Holmes said. "But, I think what gets overlooked, just like I was saying about Aidan (Hutchinson) with the run game stuff, I think what gets overlooked about Jameson is usually guys that are that explosive, that fast, that electrifying. This guy's tough. Like, this guy's gritty. He's a dog. He loves football."

Holmes continued, "So, he just fit what we're about. Once the conviction and the buy-in just kept rising, then I started saying, 'Okay, all right, well, maybe, being that he is one of those guys that we have graded similarly and very evenly up at the top, just go ahead and get him.'"

Williams' ability to flip the field and take the top off of defenses appealed to the Lions' front office and coaching staff. 

The talented wideout joins a room that is comprised of starters Amon-Ra St. Brown, DJ Chark and Josh Reynolds. 

Trinity Benson, Quintez Cephus, Tom Kennedy and Javon McKinley will also be battling for roster positions and targets in the upcoming season.   

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