Roundtable: Combine Questions for Dan Campbell, Brad Holmes
1.) What do you hope to hear from Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes at the NFL combine?
Christian Booher: I hope to hear little tidbits about what they could be looking for as far as their first-round selection. Both Holmes and Campbell notoriously play their cards close to the vest this time of year, so any bit of potentially revealing info would be interesting.
I'm also interested to see what Holmes or Campbell reveal about their intentions in free agency. At this stage, my thoughts are that they will prioritize loyalty and retain several of their own players, but it will be intriguing to see if either dish on potentially going after a star.
Vito Chirco: First and foremost, I'd like to hear from the two of them about their strategy for the NFL Draft and the offseason as a whole. I know they won't dive into elaborate detail about the prospects they're targeting, but I'd like to still find out what the duo's mindset is heading into this April's draft.
Additionally, I'd like to hear what Campbell and Holmes have to say about the possibility of the Lions re-signing Josh Reynolds and offensive linemen Jonah Jackson and Graham Glasgow this offseason. At this present moment, I believe that the organization will opt to at least bring back Reynolds, a favorite target of Jared Goff's.
2.) Do you think Brad Holmes will make a free-agency splash since the salary cap went up so much?
Booher: I'm a believer in Brad Holmes, so I'll trust his judgment when it comes to free agency. The resources are certainly there for him to make a splash, but a long-term commitment that many players will require would hurt the team's cap in the future as they try to re-sign their drafted talent.
One area where I think Holmes can be aggressive is later in free agency, such as how he was able to sign Ceedy Duce to a one-year contract. If a player doesn't get the long-term commitment they're hoping to get, that's where I could see Holmes once again jumping in and signing a standout player.
Chirco: In his first three offseasons as general manager, it was completely uncharacteristic for Holmes to make such a free-agent signing. He instead opted to build the team organically through the draft, various one-year, prove-it deals (e.g. DJ Chark, C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Emmanuel Moseley) and the re-signing of numerous players (e.g. Alex Anzalone and Josh Reynolds).
I think this offseason could be different for Holmes and Detroit's front office, though. With the Lions falling a win shy of the Super Bowl in 2023, my early prediction is that Holmes will be bolder and make that “splash” type of free-agent signing this offseason.
Who will it be, though? Your guess is as good as mine. But, at this present juncture, I'll put my money on it being longtime Vikings EDGE Danielle Hunter. Hunter, who was rumored to be a target of the Lions at this past season's trade deadline, would provide a major boost to Detroit's pass-rushing unit. He's amassed a combined 26.5 sacks the past two seasons, including a career-best 16.5 in 2023.
I think I speak for Lions fans everywhere when I say he'd look real nice at the EDGE spot opposite Aidan Hutchinson.
3.) Which players at the combine are you interested in following?
Booher: There are a number of intriguing talents that I'm interested in following at the combine. It's one of my favorite events of the offseason, as players have the opportunity to raise their status immensely while also conducting visits with teams.
I think two of the most intriguing prospects are Houston Christian's Jalyx Hunt and Missouri's Ennis Rakestraw. Hunt is a small-school prospect who was converted from safety to EDGE, so I'm interested to see where he stacks up size-wise and athletically amongst other pass-rushers.
As for Rakestraw, he's become a popular mock draft pick for the Lions late in the first round. I'm not convinced he'll be on the board at 29, but it's not hard to see the fit when watching his film.
Chirco: I'm interested in following the group of cornerback and EDGE prospects at the combine. As of right now, I could see Holmes taking a corner in the first round, followed by an EDGE defender in the second round of this April's NFL Draft.
It's why I'll be closely watching the following cornerbacks: Terrion Arnold (Alabama), Cooper DeJean (Iowa), Kamari Lassiter (Georgia), Kool-Aid McKinstry (Alabama), Quinyon Mitchell (Toledo) and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (Missouri).
I'll also be keeping a close eye on the following EDGEs: Marshawn Kneeland (Western Michigan), Laiatu Latu (UCLA), Chop Robinson (Penn State), Darius Robinson (Missouri) and Bralen Trice (Washington).
I think a combo of any of those corners and EDGEs in the first and second rounds, respectively, would go a long way toward strengthening the Lions' defense.
4.) Do you think Tracy Walker will find success with another NFL team?
Booher: I don't think Tracy Walker's career will be over after the Lions chose to release him. He was a very productive part of the defense before suffering a torn Achilles and the misfortune of the injury ultimately led to him being surpassed on Detroit's depth chart.
I expect Walker to land with another team, perhaps a contender looking for depth, and provide leadership as well as production. He should land on his feet elsewhere.
Chirco: At this juncture in his career, I'm not as high on Walker as I once was.
He turned 29 earlier this month, and wasn't highly productive for the Lions this past season, earning a Pro Football Focus overall grade of 62.8.
I'm not saying I wouldn't take a flyer on the veteran safety, because I would on a short-term, prove-it type of deal. However, if I were an NFL GM and inked Walker to a free-agent deal, I wouldn't expect him to be anything more than a quality reserve.
5.) Which position should the Lions target in the first round of the draft?
Booher: I believe the Lions' biggest need is at cornerback. They pick late in the first round, so the top talent likely won't make it to them at 29 overall. As a result, I'd like to see Brad Holmes be aggressive and try to trade up for one of the top prospects.
Among the players who could be good fits for Detroit at cornerback are Toledo's Quinyon Mitchell, Missouri's Ennis Rakestraw and the Alabama duo of Kool-Aid McKinstry and Terrion Arnold.
Chirco: No doubt to me, it's cornerback. It was the biggest weakness of the Lions’ defense and overall roster in 2023, and I believe Holmes will make a concerted effort to upgrade the position via this April's draft.
As of right now, I think he'll stay at the No. 29 overall pick, and select a cornerback, such as Missouri's Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Georgia's Kamari Lassiter or Alabama's Kool-Aid McKinstry. I believe each of them would provide a much-needed upgrade to the team's beleaguered cornerbacks group.
