Lions Reporter Believes Team Could Double Dip in the Draft at Key Position

Since Brad Holmes took over as the general manager for the Detroit Lions, he has made a habit of spending multiple picks in a draft on the same position.

He did it during his first draft in 2021 when he selected Levi Onwuzurike and Alim McNeil.

In 2022, he took three edge rushers. He selected Aidan Hutchinson and Josh Pascal in rounds one and two and then added James Houston in the sixth.

The 2024 draft saw him employ this strategy again. Holmes spent the tem's first two picks on cornerbacks Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw.

He could actually end up having double dipped a second time in that draft as they drafted Christian Mahogany and guard and now there is also talk of Giovanni Manu potentially being an option at the position as well.

Now The Athletic's Colton Pouncy believes the Lions could try this move again in 2025 and draft a pair of edge rushers.

"With Holmes telling reporters at both the combine and annual meetings that the Lions would love to add multiple edge rushers, is he hinting at a double-dip at the position? It certainly wouldn’t be the first time."

Pouncy also pointed out the depth at the position in this year's draft class.

"Well for starters, it’s a deeper class, which is a plus. You can find talent throughout the top 100, and the Lions have three picks in the top 102."

The Lions are definitely more than one edge away from fixing their pass rush issue.

A prospect from this class being ready to take on the starting job in year one is far from guaranteed. That could leave the Lions with Marcus Davenport in a starting role all year.

Just adding a veteran also doesn't look like the answer at this point as the available veterans would be short-term options, leaving the Lions to search for their edge answer again next offseason.

In a previous article, I suggested that pairing a "bridge" edge with a rookie was the best solution for the Lions.

However, double dipping at the position in the draft could also be an interesting option for them.

I still don't think that two rookies will fix things for 2025, but it at least gives them a better shot at having one who is ready to be their starter before the season is over.

It also improves the chances that they get somebody who is the answer for their future at the position. They could even end up with two players capable of being their long-term starter.

If the Lions aren't going to land a veteran they can trust in the next couple of weeks, this seems like a good backup plan for them.