Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes and assistant general manager Ray Agnew will soon shift their full attention to the offseason as the 2025 regular season comes to a close.

Sitting at 8–8 with one game remaining, the Detroit Lions have been officially eliminated from playoff contention, marking their first missed postseason since 2022. After struggling with consistency over the final stretch of the season, Dan Campbell’s team will now look ahead to roster improvements in hopes of returning to contention in 2026.

NFL Draft Key to Lions’ 2026 Rebuild

The 2026 NFL Draft will be a critical opportunity for Holmes, who has built much of Detroit’s core through the draft. Over his first five draft classes, Holmes has selected eight Pro Bowl or All-Pro players, but recent returns have been mixed.

Detroit’s 2024 and 2025 draft classes have yet to deliver a Pro Bowl selection. Injuries have played a major role, as only Sione Vaki from the 2024 class has appeared in more than 25 games across the past two seasons. From the 2025 class, three players have played every game this year, while Miles Frazier and Dominic Lovett have seen limited action. EDGE Ahmed Hassanein remains on the practice squad after being waived injured, and safety Dan Jackson missed the entire season.

With roster needs emerging along the defensive line, EDGE opposite Aidan Hutchinson, and the offensive line, Detroit will rely heavily on the draft to address those weaknesses.

Lions Compensatory Pick Update for 2026

According to OverTheCap, the Lions are currently projected to receive one fourth-round compensatory pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

The NFL awards 32 compensatory selections each year to teams that lose qualifying free agents, coaches, or executives. Teams may receive up to four compensatory picks per season.

Detroit previously received compensatory picks in both 2025 and 2026 for the departure of former defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, though those picks were later traded in a deal to move up and select wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa.

As of now, OverTheCap projects Detroit’s compensatory selection to come from the departure of cornerback Carlton Davis, who ranks within the fifth-to-10th percentile of OTC’s valuation system.

Compensatory Free Agents Lost:

Carlton Davis

Ifeatu Melifonwu

Kevin Zeitler

Compensatory Free Agents Gained:

D.J. Reed

Roy Lopez

Detroit could also earn additional compensatory selections if a minority coach or executive is hired away as a head coach or general manager by another team.

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Updated Detroit Lions 2026 Draft Picks

Round 1

Own selection

Round 2

Own selection

Round 4

Own selection

Round 4

Projected compensatory selection

Round 6

Acquired from Jacksonville Jaguars (Tim Patrick trade)

Round 6

Acquired from Seattle Seahawks via Jacksonville Jaguars (Tim Patrick trade)

Round 7

Acquired from Cleveland Browns (Za’Darius Smith trade)