The Lions’ nightmare draft path seems all too possible based on how Brad Holmes has managed the offseason.

Detroit holds the No. 28 overall pick and has plenty of directions it could go in this year’s draft to bolster either side of the ball.

With few major needs left on the roster, the Lions appear well-positioned to navigate the draft smartly. That’s the luxury a team gains when it builds from the bottom up with purpose and patience.

Still, even strong teams can stumble. According to Pro Football Focus’ Bradley Locker, Detroit risks trouble if it waits past pick No. 60 to select a pass-rusher.

“The Lions don’t have many clear-cut needs after re-signing Levi Onwuzurike, Tim Patrick, and adding D.J. Reed,” wrote Locker. “But they have to add edge depth beside a recovering Aidan Hutchinson after cutting Za’Darius Smith.”

“Detroit could push the pick, given this edge class’s depth, but that’s risky. Teams may go heavy on edge rushers in Rounds 1 and 2, and talent dips a bit by Round 3. Holmes needs to land a real difference-maker by pick 60.”

The edge rusher group is deep this year, yet Detroit would get more impact drafting one early. Despite this, the team may ignore that idea once the draft begins.

Many agree the Lions need help on the edge, but Holmes might not prioritize it early, given the class’s depth and his own draft strategy.

Holmes told the media ahead of the draft that he won’t chase positional needs blindly but instead will focus on finding the right players to fit Detroit’s system.

“What I won’t do is say, ‘Here’s a need, let’s take someone,’” Holmes explained. “Just picking a guy who fits the prototype—sure, you can do that. But if he’s not a real football player, he’s not helping us. We’re not forcing picks.”

By retaining Marcus Davenport and Onwuzurike, the Lions bring back two players who can generate pressure if healthy. With Hutchinson returning, Holmes may feel the team has internal solutions. That likely means edge depth will be addressed later, with guard or receiver taken first.

So if skipping an edge rusher in the first two rounds is a worst-case scenario, don’t be shocked if it actually happens. Holmes may well wait until after pick No. 60.