In a lot of ways, the 2026 NFL Draft was one of the least surprising Detroit Lions drafts under general manager Brad Holmes. There weren’t any massive head-scratching picks or big diversions from expectations.
But Holmes always manages to subvert expectations in some way or another. So in our final installment of our 2026 Detroit Lions draft roundtable, our staff makes their selections for the most surprising moment from Detroit’s draft.
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Previous 2026 draft roundtables:
What was the biggest surprise of the Lions’ 2026 NFL Draft?
Ryan Mathews: Derrick Moore
When the Lions moved up in the second round and selected Moore, it was surprising for a couple of reasons. For one, several other edge defenders more closely matched the profile the Lions have favored under Holmes and Campbell. Also, Moore was a player most had projected to be an early third-round draft pick.
Brandon Knapp: Kendrick Law
The defense needed all the help it could get, and the only three spots I guessed on offense that would be taken were offensive tackle, tight end, and running back. Wide receiver was not on that list. With other players available that could’ve been taken at tight end, running back, or on defense, the selection of Law surprised me the most. I know Detroit values special teams, but the future should be looked at as well.
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John Whiticar: Emphasis on pass rush
I go into details here, but overall, I was surprised by how many draftees were oriented towards rushing the passer. This is a stark difference from previous years, where run defense reigned supreme.
Erik Schlitt: Kendrick Law
If the Lions grabbed an offensive player on Day 3 of the draft, most expected it to be a tight end or running back, not trading up for a slot receiver. While Law was on my radar (he made my Combine watchlist), due to his combination of speed, quickness, and skill set, my excitement has only increased as I dig deeper into his game tape. Law’s ability to produce as a gadget player, receiver, and special teamer, along with his physical gifts and upside, gives the Lions a skill set they don’t have in any one player.
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Al Karsten: Kendrick Law
Very initially, the Kendrick Law pick took a second to process, just because wide receiver felt like one of the last positions you expected the Lions to address. But the more you dig into it, the more it tracks.
Law was essentially the engine of Kentucky’s offense, thriving on manufactured touches—pre-snap motions, pop passes, end-arounds, and screens—where his urgency and play speed consistently showed up. He also brings a relentless edge as a blocker and adds immediate value in the return game.
It’s not just a depth receiver addition—it’s a bet on versatility, effort, and a player who can create with the ball in his hands.
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Jeremy Reisman: Drafting for need?
Brad Holmes has consistently said the team will not just draft a player because he fits a current need. It’s an overall strategy I happen to very much agree with, because needs can change on a dime, and expecting a rookie to come in and lift that group up immediately is asking for trouble. Yet, with Holmes’ first three picks in the 2026 draft, he knocked out their biggest three needs—in order.
Now, it’s entirely possible their board just happened to align with their biggest needs at the time, but I think it’s a little more likely Holmes made a concerted effort to pick up a starting tackle and pass-rushing threat with his first two picks—a relative departure from his normal drafting habits.
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