The Detroit Lions are in uncharted territory entering the NFL Draft. Why? Because they are picking pretty late in the first round due to the fact that they were actually good this past season.

The Lions are coming off of their best campaign in three decades, as they won their first division title since 1993 and made it all the way to the NFC Championship Game, where they ultimately lost to the San Francisco 49ers. It marked the first time since January 1992 that Detroit won a playoff game.

Now, the Lions are the hunted instead of the hunters, but general manager Brad Holmes isn’t sweating it.

When asked about having to select late in the draft next week, Holmes said that Detroit’s strategy will not change.

“You’re kind of looking at a different level of player, and it is what it is,” Holmes said Thursday, via Dave Birkett of The Detroit Free Press. “We just take the same approach, but I don’t see (picking lower) as any more or less pressure.”

Holmes’ Lions have been fairly busy in the draft in recent years. In 2022, they traded up to No. 12 to select wide receiver Jameson Williams (after selecting defensive end Aidan Hutchinson earlier in the round). Then, last year, they traded down to select running back Jahmyr Gibbs.

Will Detroit be doing any more wheeling and dealing this time?

“First of all, it’s got to be the right guy,” Holmes said. “You guys (have) seen us, how we’ve operated in the past. If it’s the player that we want, we’re going to go and get him. But there (are) a lot of boxes that need to be checked. I think we kind of said a little bit at the end of the season, everybody can’t play here so it’s got to be identified. That player has to be identified. ‘Okay, he’s checked all those boxes. He’s the right pick and he’s the right fit.’ And also it’s just, how high are you talking? Is it way high? Is it just a few spots?”

So, basically, if Holmes sees a guy he likes, he has no qualms about making a trade to acquire him. He also would have no issues moving down.

Considering the Lions pick 29th in the first round, trading back is certainly on the table, meaning there is a chance Detroit fans may not see their team make a pick next Thursday.

Holmes said that the Lions will “do the right thing for the organization,” even if it means the fans may have to wait another day.

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