The remarkable drafting run of Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes is coming to an end as he loses the first of his 23 draft selections to free agency.

Every single Lions draft selection made under Holmes, from 2021 to 2023, was still in some capacity on the roster at the end of the 2023 campaign. Of his 23 draft selections, 22 were either injured reserve or still on the 53-man roster, and only one, Jermar Jefferson, was on the practice squad.

In 2024, that will finally change.

According to many sources, cornerback Chase Lucas, the Lions’ seventh-round selection in 2022, has signed a contract with the

The remarkable drafting run of Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes is coming to an end as he loses the first of his 23 draft selections to free agency.

Over the course of three years, Brad Holmes, general manager of the Detroit Lions, did something very amazing.

Every single Lions draft selection made under Holmes, from 2021 to 2023, was still in some capacity on the roster at the end of the 2023 campaign. Of his 23 draft selections, 22 were either injured reserve or still on the 53-man roster, and only one, Jermar Jefferson, was on the practice squad.

In 2024, that will finally change.

According to many sources, cornerback Chase Lucas, the Lions’ seventh-round selection in 2022, has signed a contract with the San Francisco 49ers.

Lucas was on and off the roster of the Lions for two years. He was a valuable member of the special teams unit when he was active on game days, frequently filling the crucial position of punt coverage gunner. Lucas appeared in 18 games over the course of two seasons, recording six tackles. In 2023, he had more special teams snaps than five Lions players combined.

Nevertheless, the Lions have strengthened and reorganized the cornerback room extensively during the winter. They signed Amik Robertson, traded for Carlton Davis, re-signed Emmanuel Moseley, and are apparently still looking. On Friday, they will host Tavierre Thomas for a free agency visit.

Even if Lucas’ departure and Holmes’ remarkable run are regrettable, it’s still rather remarkable that 22 of Detroit’s 23 draft selections from the previous three years are still in the lineup.

Being an exclusive rights free agent going into the offseason put Lucas in a unique position. That usually signifies there won’t be any problems when the player returns to play on a minimal pay deal. Even though the Lions were reportedly interested in bringing Lucas back, our own Erik Schlitt claims that the two parties decided before the summer to allow the 27-year-old cornerback to test free agency.

Lucas was on and off the roster of the Lions for two years. He was a valuable member of the special teams unit when he was active on game days, frequently filling the crucial position of punt coverage gunner. Lucas appeared in 18 games over the course of two seasons, recording six tackles. In 2023, he had more special teams snaps than five Lions players combined.

Nevertheless, the Lions have strengthened and reorganized the cornerback room extensively during the winter. They signed Amik Robertson, traded for Carlton Davis, re-signed Emmanuel Moseley, and are apparently still looking. On Friday, they will host Tavierre Thomas for a free agency visit.

Even if Lucas’ departure and Holmes’ remarkable run are regrettable, it’s still rather remarkable that 22 of Detroit’s 23 draft selections from the previous three years are still in the lineup.

Three years remain on the roster.