NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah has noticed a pattern regarding the Detroit Lions, and he’s using it to inform what he thinks general manager Brad Holmes may do in April’s draft.

Holmes began his tenure by selecting offensive tackle Penei Sewell (No. 7 overall), defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike (No. 41) and defensive tackle Alim McNeill (No. 72) in 2021. He followed that up the next year by taking pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson (No. 2) and edge defender Josh Paschal (No. 46) to make it five of his first seven top-100 picks spent on the trenches.Since? Holmes has used just one of his last eight top-100 selections on a lineman; defensive tackle Brodric Martin, who went No. 96 overall in 2023, is the exception. Holmes has instead focused his attention on other positions, choosing three defensive backs (Terrion Arnold, Brian Branch and Ennis Rakestraw Jr.) a quarterback (Hendon Hooker), a running back (Jahmyr Gibbs), a tight end (Sam LaPorta) and a linebacker (Jack Campbell).

“First of all, they started building it through the foundation with the offensive and defensive line, and finding guys with excellent play temperament,” Jeremiah said of the Lions on Thursday, speaking with reporters on a conference call. “Guys that are finishers, that play with effort and are physical. I think that was kind of the first part of the build, and then after that they went hunting for as many dynamic players as they could find. … It just feels like they combined the physical and the fast really, really well. …

“I think now … you could look at them going back and kind of going the full-circle here (in the 2025 draft). Start big, go fast, and I think you can come back around and then go back to the line of scrimmage again.”

Jeremiah mentioned interior offensive linemen Grey Zabel (North Dakota State) and Donovan Jackson (Ohio State) as options for the Lions at No. 28 overall, especially if they lose right guard Kevin Zeitler in free agency. He put both prospects in the “plug-and-play” category.

“Those are kind of more meat-and-potatoes guys,” Jeremiah said.

The draft analyst, who has been with NFL Network since 2012 and spent six years as a scout across stints with the Baltimore Ravens (2003-06) and Cleveland Browns (2007-08), also put some attention on the defensive line for Detroit’s first-round selection.

Specifically, he discussed Texas A&M’s Shemar Stewart and Tennessee’s James Pearce Jr.

“He’s going to be an interesting one; he could go in the top 15; he could go bottom of (Round) 1; he could go top of (Round) 2, there’s a wide range on him,” Jeremiah said of Pearce, who had 55 pressures and 7½ sacks in 2024. “He’s a lean, skinny rusher, but he has got a ton of juice and explosiveness, and he really knows how to rush. His first three steps are pretty dynamic. … Shemar Stewart, we’ll see what happens with him. That would be another one, I think, (who) could factor in for them if they’re looking for edge rushers.”

The Lions have been searching for a partner to rush opposite of Hutchinson. Za’Darius Smith, who was acquired in a deal with the Cleveland Browns at last season’s trade deadline, is an option, though he likely isn’t the answer for the future; he’ll be 33 years old in September and is entering the last year of his contract.

Myles Garrett requested a trade out of Cleveland earlier this month, and Jeremiah said the Lions make the “most sense” as a destination. Jeremiah admitted, however, that his discussions with people across the league have led him to believe the Browns don’t plan on shipping Garrett out. That leaves the draft as one of Detroit’s best bets to give Hutchinson a long-term sidekick.

Even if the Lions opt to go elsewhere at No. 28, Jeremiah is confident enough in the draft’s depth for Detroit to potentially find what it’s looking for in the second round (No. 60 overall).

“(Princely) Umanmielen from Ole Miss is right in that range,” Jeremiah said. “I’m not quite as high on (Texas A&M’s) Nic Scourton as some other people are, so that’s his range for me. … You’ve got (South Carolina’s) Kyle Kennard, you’ve got (J.T.) Tuimoloau from Ohio State. It’s a good group. There’s a lot of options there. You can get guys that can come in and start.

“I’ve talked about this D-tackle (class and) how deep it is. The edge group is pretty deep, as well.”