Ranking Every Detroit Lions Draft Class of the Last Decade

The Lions have had mixed results in the NFL Draft over the past 10 years, with some hits and misses.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 1:23pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting a Detroit Lions football game, with the players and field broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes of color, creating a fragmented and abstract visual representation of the team's draft history.The Detroit Lions' draft history over the past decade has been a complex and multifaceted story, with both successes and failures reflected in the team's on-field performance.Today in Detroit

The Detroit Lions have had an up-and-down performance in the NFL Draft over the last decade. General manager Brad Holmes has had some success over his five-year run, but the team has also had some tough showings in what is annually the most anticipated event of the NFL offseason. Here is a ranking of the Lions' last 10 draft classes ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Why it matters

The Lions' draft performance over the past decade has had a significant impact on the team's roster and competitiveness. Strong draft classes have helped build the foundation for the team, while poor classes have contributed to the team's struggles. As the Lions look to the future, their ability to nail their draft picks will be crucial to their success.

The details

The article provides a detailed breakdown of the Lions' draft classes from the past 10 years, highlighting the hits and misses for each class. It covers the key players drafted, their performance, and the overall impact of the class on the team. The article also notes that the Lions' current general manager, Brad Holmes, has had some success in his five-year tenure, but the team has also had some tough showings in the draft.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft is quickly approaching.
  • General manager Brad Holmes has been with the Lions for five years.
  • The article was published on April 12, 2026.

The players

Brad Holmes

The current general manager of the Detroit Lions, who has had some success in the NFL Draft during his five-year tenure.

Bob Quinn

The former general manager of the Detroit Lions, who had a mixed record in the NFL Draft during his tenure.

T.J. Hockenson

A tight end drafted by the Lions in 2019 who had a solid but injury-plagued career in Detroit before being traded to the Minnesota Vikings.

Jahlani Tavai

A linebacker drafted by the Lions in 2019 who played two seasons with the team before being released and signing with the New England Patriots.

Kenny Golladay

A wide receiver drafted by the Lions in 2017 who had two 1,000-yard seasons in Detroit before signing a big contract with the New York Giants.

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What’s next

The Lions will have another opportunity to add young talent through the 2026 NFL Draft, as they look to continue building a competitive roster.

The takeaway

The Lions' draft performance over the past decade has been a mixed bag, with some strong classes that have helped build the foundation of the team, and some weaker classes that have contributed to the team's struggles. As the team looks to the future, their ability to nail their draft picks will be crucial to their success.