In a wide range of national media, the Detroit Lions he landed near the bottom of the league in post-draft evaluations. When all grades were compiled, Detroit finished with a 2.33 overall GPA, placing them firmly in the bottom tier of the NFL.
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So the question practically arises by itself.
Did the Detroit Lions fail in the 2026 NFL Draft?
The reaction says yes. The reality is much more complicated.
Detroit Lions draft grades paint tough picture
The numbers jump off the page.
Detroit received zero A’s and zero A-minuses across the board. That alone tells us how analysts viewed this class. There was no high-level consensus move that surprised the evaluators.
Here’s what the breakdown looked like:
That single F came from Fantasy Life’s Thor Nystrom, a clear outlier but still part of the general perception.
When you add all that up, the result is a GPA of 2.33. This is not only below average. It’s a sign that this class failed to excite.
Why analysts were not impressed
The Lions did not approach this draft as many expected.
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Instead of chasing high-profile playmakers or marquee picks, Detroit focused heavily on creating depth, especially in the trenches and on defense. That type of strategy rarely convinces real-time draft analysts.
Blake Millerselected in the first round, he was seen as solid but not spectacular. David Moore He brings advantages as an edge rusher, but he is not considered someone polished who can make a difference from day one. The rest of the class leans more toward development prospects than immediate contributors.
For media outlets that grade the draft based on instant impact, it’s a tough sell.
Detroit Lions draft class built for the long game
When you look beyond the ratings, the Lions’ focus becomes clearer.
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Detroit added size, physicality and depth at key positions. The front office focused on players who fit their system and culture rather than chasing paper value.
That philosophy has defined Brad Holmes’ tenure.
The Lions aren’t trying to win on draft night. They are trying to build a roster that can maintain success for multiple seasons.
That difference matters.
We’ve seen this story before.
It’s impossible to talk about criticism of the Lions draft without going back to 2023.
When Detroit selected Jahmyr Gibbs at No. 12 and Sam LaPorta early in the second round, the reaction was similar. Analysts questioned the value. Some openly criticized the strategy.
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Now, that class is considered a franchise-changing success.
Gibbs is already off to a career-record start, and LaPorta has blossomed into a Pro Bowl tight end. What once seemed questionable now seems like a master class.
That context changes how these 2026 ratings should be viewed.
The truth about the Detroit Lions draft grades
Preliminary ratings are instantaneous reactions. They reward perceived value, big names, and immediate impact.
They do not take into account long-term development, training or adaptation.
The Lions may not have impressed analysts this time, but that doesn’t mean they failed. It just means they took a different approach.
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And if Brad Holmes’ record holds up, this could be another generation that ages much better than it seems today.
For now, the 2.33 GPA tells a story.
The next seasons will tell the real thing.