Tag: Brad Holmes

Lions add pair of defensive tackles in final 2 rounds of draft

ALLEN PARK — The Lions wrapped up the 2026 NFL draft by selecting a pair of defensive tackles — Skyler Gill-Howard in the sixth round (205th) and Tyre West in the seventh (222nd) on Saturday.

GM Brad Holmes said he likes their ability to apply pressure as sub-rushers.

Gill-Howard, 6-8 and 280 pounds, played at Texas Tech his senior year after starting collegiate career at Northern Illinois. In 2025 he started the first six games (13 tackles, 2.5 TFLs with 0.5 sacks, INT-returned for TD, PBU) and then missed the second half of the year with an ankle injury. In his junior year at Northern Illinois he played in a dozen games with one start.

He has only played on the defensive line since 2022.

“I feel like I’m a great player with no ceiling, meaning that I can improve each and every year in whatever aspect I need to. I feel I can go out and make an impact immediately or do what the team needs me to do, it doesn’t matter. There’s still a long way to go.’’

The Lions hat he was wearing during a Zoom call came from his grandfather who is a big Lions fan and was wearing it at the draft party. It was the only hate in the room. “It was meant to be,’’ Gill-Howard said.

“Gill-Howard is a relentless defensive lineman who has climbed from the Division II level to a starting role in the Big 12,’’ per CBS Sports analysis. “Despite being undersized for the interior, he plays with incredible energy and leverages his wrestling background to overpower larger blockers.’’

NFL analyst Lance Zierlein said: “He needs to major in disruption and chaos to find a long-term home as a rotational, upfield tackle.’’

In the seventh round, the Lions drafted Tyre West, who started just five games in four seasons at Tennessee.

Zierlein wrote: “West’s snap and start counts are unusually low for a draftable prospect. He has the bone thickness of an interior defender, but a chunk of his collegiate reps came at 5-technique and even-front defensive end. He’s a solid athlete with good quickness but below-average hand usage. He appears capable of sinking and anchoring but will be tested against interior double teams on the next level. West’s ability to pressure the pocket could earn him an opportunity at the next level.’’

Lions draft LB Jimmy Rolder in 4th; 2nd Michigan defenseman in 2 days

ALLEN PARK — The Detroit Lions drafted a second straight Michigan Wolverine, when they selected linebacker Jimmy Rolder with their only pick in the fourth round (118 overall) on Saturday.

On Friday, Detroit drafted EDGE Derrick Moore (Michigan) in the second round.

Rolder said it’s going to be “awesome” to play again with Moore. Those two join EDGE Aidan Hutchinson who was drafted out of Michigan in 2022.

What makes the Michigan defense stand out? “I think just the way we play at Michigan. The way we play defense,’’ Rolder said. “We held our hat on playing physical, playing tough, playing with high effort.’’

In 2025, his first year as a starter, Rolder led Michigan with 73 tackles. He 11 starts in 12 games (7 TFLs with 2 sacks, INT, 2 PBUs).

“I just really started coming into my own. I think I’m really just getting started,’’ Rolder said on a conference call on Saturday. “I had that one year of starting and as I was playing I was playing with more and more confidence each week. I think the ceiling is way way high now. I’m excited to take it to the next level and keep working on things.’’

NFL analyst Lance Zierlein said Rolder’s instincts and run-game consistency make it hard to believe he was only a one-year starter in college. 

When Rolder was getting recruited out of high school he particiapted on a Zoom call with Lions LB Jack Campbell who was playing for Iowa at the time.

“Reconvening with him, playing with him at the next level it’s going to be awesome,’’ Rolder said. “Then obviously coming in, competing with other guys in the room, pushing each other to get better everyday in practice.’’

Rolder was a multi-sport athlete at Marist High School in Orland Park, Ill., where he helped the football team to an appearance in the Class 8A State semifinal. He had committed to play Division I baseball at Illinois. But it was during COVID, a tumultuous time. In the end football won out.

“I like baseball, but I love football,’’ said Rolder, who also enjoys playing golf.

When he got the call from Lions GM Brad Holmes Saturday, Rolder was sitting on a golf cart working with his stepdad, Scott Kehoe (Illinois, Miami Dolphins) at the Champions 4 Children charity golf outing in Fort Myers, Fla.

Lions draft Michigan EDGE Derrick Moore in second round

ALLEN PARK — Another team captain drafted, another need filled

Detroit Lions GM Brad Holmes traded to move up six spots in the second round of the NFL draft, to draft EDGE Derrick Moore on Friday night.

Detroit swapped its 50th and 128th picks to the N.Y. Jets to select Moore, a team captain at Michigan, at 44.

In Thursday’s first round the Lions drafted offensive tackle Blake Miller who was a team captain at Clemson.

“We’re really, really excited. It’s hard to find guys – I’m not going to say we’re picky – but we just have a certain type that we like,’’ Holmes said.

So far in this draft the needs lined up with the best players which does not always happen.

“We’ve always said we’re going to take the best player. Look if there was – I’m sure there were other tackles available, and other edge rushers available –  but these were the guys we liked,’’ Holmes said.

The Lions finished last season at 9-8 and out of the playoffs. Bolstering the offensive and defensive lines was a priority in the offseason.

Moore stood apart from the other EDGE rushers available for several reasons.

“We’ve been pretty clear about what the requirements are at that position for us and he fits that,’’ Holmes said. “He’s a physical player, he can set hard edges, his pass rush greatly improved. When I look at Derrick — much similar to Blake Miller who we took yesterday — in terms of watching him for a long time. I’ve always felt the length, and physicality and power and pads (were there), but I didn’t really feel like his rush was quite there yet but this year he really got better.’’

He noted that Moore’s improved pass rush stood out during Senior Bowl week.

Moore said he considers Detroit a second home and looks forward to playing with Aidan Hutchinson, another Michigan product.

“I’m definitely excited to play with Hutch,’’ Moore said. “Hopefully I can learn a lot from him and we can go and cause a lot of havoc.’’

Moore, who is 6-4 and 255 pounds, was first-team All-Big Ten in 2025 with a dozen starts, leading the team with 10.5 TFLs and 10 sacks. In 2024 he was honorable mention All-Big Ten starting 12 games with 23 tackles, 6 TFLs with 4 sacks and two PBUs).

One draft analyst on Moore: “Swallows quarterbacks and runners like a crashing wave once he’s close.’’

NFL analyst Lance Zierlein scouting report reads: “Edge prospect with good size and length. Moore is far more active and engaged as a rusher than he is as a run defender. He has the ability to set firm edges, but his approach against the run can lack urgency. Against the pass, Moore is a bull-rush aficionado, piling up pressures and sacks. He’s strong through the top of the rush but needs to prove he can consistently stress long, well-anchored tackles. When it’s time to finish, he tackles with reliable technique and timing. If Moore cranks up the fire on all three downs, he can become a good full-time player. Either way, he projects as a starter capable of racking up pressures.”

Moore was the first Michigan player selected in the 2026 draft.

The Lions have six picks remaining: a fourth (118th overall), two fifths (157 and 181), two sixths (205 and 213) and a seventh (222). Saturday’s draft begins at noon.