Detroit Lions Make Waves in NFL Draft with Historic Picks
Brad Holmes had Georgia on his mind during the NFL draft, and it paid off big time for the Detroit Lions.
The Lions' general manager made headlines by selecting three standout players from the University of Georgia among his seven picks: guard Tate Ratledge, safety Dan Jackson, and wide receiver Dominic Lovett. This strategic move highlights Holmes' keen eye for talent from one of college football's powerhouse programs.
Reflecting on his time scouting in the Southeast, Holmes shared, "Before I got this job, I was living in Atlanta, Georgia for a long time, just scouting the Southeast. And then when the Rams moved out to LA, I just kind of stayed in Atlanta. But obviously, I have been to Georgia practices a lot and been around that program a lot. It's unlike anything else that I've seen live in terms of college practice, in terms of just the intensity."
He continued, "Nick Saban at Alabama was very similar, but just the intensity, the physicality, the detail, the tempo, the whole thing, the energy. So when you can go through that kind of regimen and you practice like that, you know that they're ready."
Holmes has a history of picking players from strong college programs, having previously selected multiple athletes from Iowa and Alabama in recent drafts. This year, he also made a notable choice in the first round, selecting defensive tackle Tyleik Williams from Ohio State at No. 28.
"I never really go into it thinking we're going to get these Iowa guys or these Georgia guys or these Alabama guys, but it just happened to fall that way, just kind of when you got towards the later part of the draft," Holmes explained.
In a groundbreaking moment, the Lions made history by drafting Ahmed Hassanein, a defensive end from Boise State, in the sixth round with the 196th overall pick. This selection marked him as the first Egyptian player ever drafted by an NFL team.
Hassanein's journey to the NFL is nothing short of inspiring. He moved to the United States nearly seven years ago to live with his brother, whom he hadn't seen in a decade. At that time, he had no knowledge of football. "When I came to America, I'll tell you this: Nobody believed in me," Hassanein recalled. "My brother was the only one who believed in me, and everybody told me that I'll come back in two weeks. 'You can't even speak English.' And just look where I'm at now. I'm so grateful."
The Lions are optimistic about Hassanein's potential to develop into a key player, particularly at the edge rusher position opposite Aidan Hutchinson. "I haven't even reached anything on my top ceiling," he stated. "I'm just ready to grow, ready to learn and ready to help the team whatever they need, because they believed in me, and whoever believes in me, that means the world to me, especially (head coach) Dan Campbell. I mean, I'll die for that guy. I'll run through a wall."
Another exciting pick for the Lions was Arkansas wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa, who grew up in Michigan as a lifelong Lions fan. His dream came true when Detroit drafted him with the 70th overall pick, which they acquired through a trade with Jacksonville. "I'm still processing it right now," TeSlaa expressed. "Obviously, it's been not only a dream to play in the NFL, but to play for my hometown team, the team I've rooted for since I've been a baby, it's just an incredible feeling."
TeSlaa, standing at 6-foot-4, began his collegiate career at Division II Hillsdale College in Michigan before transferring to the Razorbacks for his final two seasons. Holmes shared a memorable moment from TeSlaa's Top 30 visit, recalling, "When he came on his Top 30 visit, he had on a Lions jersey. I thought he just did a cheesy move – some fanboy stuff, and I was like, 'Come on, he didn't put a Lions jersey on.' But no, he said, 'No, I've had this since the eighth grade. What better time to wear it than now?'"
In a twist of fate, Ratledge had a tattoo of lions inked in 2024, completely unaware that he would soon be drafted by the Lions. Detroit traded up with Denver to select him with the 57th overall pick. "That kind of came full circle and I didn't even process that until now, but I mean, just a little bit of foreshadowing, I guess," Ratledge remarked.
Holmes was active during the draft, making three trades, which brings his total to 16 trades in five years as the Lions' GM. Detroit moved from 60th overall to 57th, 102nd to 70th, and 182nd to 171st, with LSU guard Miles Frazier being the 171st selection. Notably, Holmes has traded up 12 times throughout his tenure.
On the final day of the draft, Lions staffers honored Holmes by wearing his No. 95 North Carolina A&T jersey. This gesture also recognized Holmes' selection as the commencement speaker for the university's graduation ceremony on May 10, where he will highlight the significant role the school played in his journey to becoming an NFL general manager.
