The Detroit Lions came out of the 2025 NFL Draft with seven new additions to their roster. General Manager Brad Holmes continued his assertive drafting strategy, trading up in the third round to snag Arkansas wide receiver Isaac Teslaa, and again in the fifth round to secure LSU guard Miles Frazier. After the event, Holmes shared that he had been engaged in nearly 30 trade talks but was open to doing even more.
This reflects Holmes’ consistent philosophy in team building—he doesn’t prioritize filling specific positional needs during the draft. Instead, he targets the top talent on the board, regardless of position. Holmes is also unafraid to pursue players he values more highly than others may, even if that means making bold moves or selecting earlier than expected.
Recently released footage revealed that Holmes turned down a first-round trade proposal from Philadelphia Eagles GM Howie Roseman. This context makes his decision clearer.
Detroit Refuses Eagles’ First-Round Trade Attempt
In a newly published YouTube video titled “96 Hours Inside the Eagles Draft Room,” Howie Roseman is shown on the phone attempting to initiate a trade. After his call, he tells his colleagues that the Lions weren’t interested in moving their pick.
At that point in the draft, Roseman was aiming to move up for Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell. Despite making calls to several teams, he only managed to finalize a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs for pick No. 31.
Detroit held the 28th selection and appeared content to wait for their target, Ohio State defensive tackle Tyleik Williams. Had Williams been taken earlier, it’s possible Detroit may have considered the Eagles’ proposal.
Ultimately, Holmes’ patience was rewarded. Williams later shared that the Buffalo Bills were planning to pick him at No. 30, meaning the Lions would have missed out if they had traded back to No. 32.
Time will tell whether declining Philadelphia’s offer was a misstep or a savvy call, depending on how this rookie class performs in the coming years
