On Tuesday, Brad Holmes spoke to the media about the Lions’ plans for the 2026 NFL Draft. When asked if the club could use any of their other eight picks to trade up, the general manager didn’t hesitate to confirm that they would if the right player is available.

“Absolutely. Yeah, if it’s the right guy,” Holmes said about a potential trade up. “You guys know me. I feel like you guys get mad at me sometimes, I do it too much sometimes. But, no, if we have that kind of conviction for a player, absolutely. We’re going to go and get him.”

What are the Lions’ biggest needs in the 2026 NFL Draft?

With the 17th pick in the first round, the Lions are not in a premier position to select a top-tier elite prospect without moving. After a disappointing 2025 season and David Montgomery traded to the Texans, the front office knows a trade-up may be necessary to secure an impact starter.

The departure of veteran left tackle Taylor Decker, who was released this offseason, has left the Lions looking for a new starter. After struggling with offensive line consistency in 2025, it makes sense for Detroit to use their top capital to bolster the unit.

There are solid tackle prospects in this draft, with Francis Mauigoa of Miami considered one of the best. However, some teams, including the Kansas City Chiefs, may prefer Utah’s Spencer Fano over the former Hurricanes standout.

Improving the defense is also a priority

In recent months, rumors swirled that the Lions were interested in trading for Maxx Crosby. While Crosby ultimately stayed with the Raiders after a reported trade to the Ravens fell through due to a failed physical, Detroit remains interested in adding a high-level pass rusher.

With Aidan Hutchinson still a premier force, the Lions could pair him with another top edge rusher to create elite pressure from both sides. Ultimately, Detroit’s main priority will depend on which “conviction” player falls within striking distance of a Brad Holmes trade.

Following the trade that sent Montgomery to the Houston Texans, Gibbs has become the undisputed RB1. However, “Sonic” may be eyeing a more versatile role than a traditional lead back.

Dan Campbell hinted during the NFL owners’ meetings that Gibbs’ unique talents could be utilized all over the field. He revealed that the team is even considering lining the young star up at wide receiver to maximize his explosive playmaking ability.

“Gibbs, we didn’t view Gibbs as a runner, he was a weapon,” Campbell said. “We felt like Gibbs, this guy is gonna explode. Yes, he’s a runner, he can run all schemes, he can run inside, outside, the perimeters, but he also can be lethal out of the backfield, and we’re not even there yet. We feel like this guy can play some receiver. He’s dynamic and he’s a difference-maker. They don’t come around often.”

A new chapter for the Lions’ offense

There is no doubt that Dan Campbell has revitalized the Lions, but 2025 proved to be a challenging season. Following the exit of Ben Johnson last year, the offense lost the creative spark that had previously made the unit one of the league’s most feared.

After a disappointing stint under John Morton, the Lions moved on and named Drew Petzing as the new offensive coordinator. There are high hopes for Petzing, especially given the wealth of talent at his disposal and his history of creative personnel grouping.

With Campbell confirming that Gibbs could feature prominently as a receiver, it is clear that Petzing is exploring new schematic variations to jumpstart the offense. However, matching the efficiency and production seen under Ben Johnson’s guidance remains a tall order.

A new RB duo in Detroit

Following the Montgomery trade, the Lions moved quickly to bolster their backfield by signing free agent Isiah Pacheco to a one-year, $1.81 million deal. Pacheco is slated to serve as the RB2, with the hope that he can recapture the high-energy form he displayed during his championship years with the Kansas City Chiefs.

While Pacheco is regarded as a physical, downhill runner, his recent injury history has raised some concerns among the fanbase. However, if he can remain healthy, the Lions may once again possess one of the most intimidating backfield duos in the NFL.

“I wanted to play in Ben’s offense,” Raymond said to Dan Pompei of TheAthletic.com. As for the reasoning, Raymond was also very clear. Johnson is “extraordinarily creative, and honestly, you can be in any spot on the offense, and he will find a way to get you the ball. Just to be under him is a great privilege.”

Raymond played for Johnson in Detroit when he was the offensive coordinator. Judging by this move, his loyalty was with the coach, not the team. At 32 years old, Raymond is trying to milk the last good years of his NFL career.

Raymond’s numbers under Johnson

In three years under Johnson, Raymond had 99 catches, for 1,320 yards and three touchdowns. He averaged 13.3 yards per reception. He was never atop of the depth chart, but Johnson found ways to utilize him in an effective way.

It seems like Raymond really valued that side of Johnson, hence his wish to reunite with him. Raymond is just 5’8″ and 180 lbs, but used properly, his speed can make a difference in the Bears‘ offense.

How is the Bears’ WR room looking?

Rome Odunze is the clear-cut WR1 of the team right now. Luther Burden III comes next in the pecking order, and Raymond is likely to be put in the slot position, at least for the next season.

Also, the Bears have two great tight ends in Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet, who are as good as receiving as they are blocking. Ben Johnson also loves using his tight ends, so they are a big part of the passing game.

“I think that’s the beauty of having a player like him,” Holmes said on the Lions Collective podcast. “You always have that flexibility of the possibility of him playing left tackle, He’s done it before.

“It’s not anything foreign to him, so, even as we’re going through free agency, we weren’t really pigeonholed like, ‘We’ve got to get a left tackle. We’ve got to get a right tackle.’ We were just like, ‘What’s the best tackle for us?’ And then we’ll kind of adjust as needed. So that’s kind of the beauty of it.”

Right tackle spot well covered in Detroit

After Decker leaving the team in early March 2026, the Detroit Lions moved swiftly in free agency to reconfigure their offensive line. They secured veteran and Detroit native Larry Borom with a one-year, $5 million contract ($4.9 million guaranteed).

With Borom slated to take over the Right Tackle vacancy, the path is cleared for Penei Sewell to finally make his definitive transition to Left Tackle to protect Jared Goff’s blind side. This is a move that the team has successfully experimented with in the past and which now becomes the cornerstone of their 2026 scheme.

Pewell’s versatility

Penei Sewell enters the 2026 season coming off a career-best 95.2 PFF grade, the highest among all NFL tackles last year. He was nearly impassable in 2025, allowing only 2 sacks and 19 total pressures while dominating as the league’s top-ranked run blocker with a 96.8 grade.

By moving his position, Sewell brings this elite production to Jared Goff’s blind side, where he has historically excelled without allowing a single sack in limited snaps. This transition ensures that the Lions’ most gifted protector is now tasked with neutralizing the opposition’s premier edge rushers.

Upon his arrival, David Montgomery made a bold promise to the Texans regarding his future performance. However, he hasn’t forgotten his past, especially his experience playing under Dan Campbell.

The running back spoke about his move to Houston, which took him by surprise. Nevertheless, he accepted the trade gladly, noting that Dan Campbell continually praised Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans.

“When I was in Detroit, Coach Campbell would talk about Coach Ryans all the time,” Montgomery said in a video uploaded by the Texans. “When we had joint practices or he was talking about another coach, he always would talk about Coach Ryans. So now, to be under him and see, and be a part of it now, I’m super excited. I couldn’t think of a more ideal place to be.”

The Texans are building something solid

Last season, Houston managed to secure a Wild Card spot despite the various struggles the team faced throughout the year. They even advanced to the Divisional Round, where they eventually lost to the New England Patriots.

Despite falling short of a title, their performance during the 2025 NFL season surprised many, especially considering the lack of a consistent rushing attack. With Montgomery now in the backfield, that dynamic is set to change significantly.

David Montgomery is slated to become the RB1, with Joe Mixon and Nick Chubb no longer with the club. Woody Marks, who had a solid rookie season while Mixon and Chubb were unavailable, will serve as his backup.

Is Stefon Diggs returning to the Texans?

Following his release from the Patriots, fans are wondering whether Stefon Diggs might return to the Texans. He is currently a free agent, and while many clubs have already signed other wide receivers, Diggs remains on the market.

While Nico Collins is a standout receiver, the recent departure of Christian Kirk to the San Francisco 49ers has raised questions about whether the club should pursue Diggs to build a stronger receiving corps for C.J. Stroud.

“There were a lot of teams, (and) I had eight opportunities to go to different teams. Kansas City was one of them,” Pacheco said during his introductory press conference in Detroit.

“Once they made that move (signing Kenneth Walker III), I knew that I had to open up the door to go somewhere else. This (Lions) was the first place I thought of.”

Pacheco’s experience with Chiefs before Lions move

The Chiefs handed a big contract to Walker, who hit free agency after winning Super Bowl MVP with the Seattle Seahawks. After that, Pacheco signed a one-year, $1.81 million fully guaranteed deal to join the Lions.

Pacheco is coming off a lackluster season with the Chiefs, recording just 462 yards while averaging 35 rushing yards per game and 3.9 per carry in 2025. However, his past performances make him an interesting fit for Detroit.

In 2023, Pacheco racked up 935 rushing yards for seven touchdowns, improving his numbers from a promising rookie year in 2022 (830 rushing yards for five touchdowns).

Pacheco boosts Lions RB room

A key contributor to two Super Bowl wins in Kansas City, Pacheco is bringing championship experience to a Lions team that needed depth in the RB room after trading David Montgomery to the Houston Texans.

He’ll be the second running back on the depth chart behind Jahmyr Gibbs, a player Pacheco is looking forward to playing with.

“Jahmyr is a hell of a player,” Pacheco said. “Hats off to him and the guys who have been putting in work here for a couple years now.

“Me looking from the outside in, it’s a hell of a group, and whatever I can do to contribute to the team is going to happen. Whether that’s punting the ball, whatever it’s at, no matter where I’m at on the field, cheering the guys on, bringing excitement to the team, bringing leadership, accountability.”

Pacheco felt it was time to leave Kansas City

Pacheco could’ve stayed in Kansas City, but with Walker arriving to take the RB1 role, he may have faced bigger competition with Brashard Smith entering his second year in the league. Besides, the Chiefs can still bring back Kareem Hunt.

Perhaps a change of scenery is what he needed at this point in his young career. Detroit wants to get over the hump, and Pacheco could play a role in helping Dan Campbell lead the Lions to a long-awaited Super Bowl.

The Lions had been able to have one of the strongest RB duos in the league with Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. The two complemented each other perfectly as “Sonic and Knuckles,” yet the NFC North franchise moved on from Montgomery in a move that surprised many.

Now that he is part of the Texans, the 28-year-old running back has addressed the trade. Montgomery was clear that he will give it all to his new team, believing that his prime is not gone—a slight jab at the Lions after trading him away.

“I honestly feel like I’m in my prime,” David Montgomery said, via The Houston Chronicle. “Am I able to handle the work load? Yes, because I work hard in the offseason to be able to do something like that.”

David Montgomery returns to being the RB1 in Houston

In 2023, just when David Montgomery joined the Detroit Lions, the club drafted Jahmyr Gibbs at 12th overall. However, the veteran maintained his position as RB1 for the majority of their time together, even as Gibbs was regarded as the clear future of the position. Montgomery’s ability to handle the “heavy lifting” allowed Gibbs to develop, but the dynamic eventually shifted as the younger back took on a larger share of the touches.

A year later, Montgomery and Gibbs shared more snaps, and fans didn’t have it clear who was the RB1. However, in the 2025 NFL season everything changed and Gibbs was finally regarded as the starter, which is why the exit of Montgomery this offseason makes more sense. Despite playing in all 17 games last year, Montgomery saw his snap count drop to a career-low 37%, leading to reported frustration that paved the way for this week’s blockbuster trade.

Now as part of the Texans, Montgomery is set to become the RB1 once again. The club moved on from Joe Mixon and Nick Chubb, and the former Lions player is now the first option in the depth chart, yet he faces competition again for the starter role.

In 2025, the Texans drafted Woody Marks. He had a solid rookie campaign with 912 all-purpose yards and proved he could handle a heavy workload in the playoffs. He was the reason why the club didn’t stick to either Mixon or Chubb, but they still want him to develop better and that’s why they included Montgomery this offseason. The team believes the veteran can serve as a bridge while Marks continues to refine his game.

David Montgomery comes off a career-low mark of 716 yards in 158 carries. Nevertheless, the Texans believe he is a strong option to guide Marks, just as he did with Gibbs in the Lions, to make him an elite running back in the upcoming years.

Pacheco will likely serve as the short-yardage and power-back option in a running back room that is led by star Jahmyr Gibbs. In addition to “Sonic”—who recently bid farewell to “Knuckles”—, the Lions‘ HB depth chart includes Jacob Saylors, Sione Vaki, and Kye Robichaux, per ourlads.com.

As for the Chiefs, they can afford to lose Pacheco as Kenneth Walker’s arrival provides a big boost to their updated depth chart. In addition to Walker, Kansas City’s room features Brashard Smith and restricted free agent Keaontay Ingram. Whether Kareem Hunt—an UFA—is brought back, remains to be seen.

Pacheco is coming off a down year in 2025

Pacheco took the NFL by storm upon arrival. Winning back-to-back Super Bowls with the Chiefs in his first two seasons, it seemed like he was destined to be one of the best tailbacks of this generation. However, his production took a bump in the 2025 campaign.

Last season, Pacheco registered just 563 total yards (462 rushing and 101 receiving). It was the second-lowest total of his NFL career, only ahead of his 2024 output. However, during that campaign, Pacheco missed 10 games due to injury.

In 2025, he missed four games, marking the third straight season he has been sidelined at some point. His downward-trending yardage and injury concerns help explain why the Kansas City Chiefs didn’t hand him a contract extension.

Pacheco can be key piece for Lions

As for the Lions, they needed someone to share the backfield with Gibbs. Not because the product out of the University of Alabama needs help whatsoever, but because he needs the occasional breather. If the NFL were a video game and Detroit could simply turn off injuries, Gibbs would likely be on the field for every offensive snap in Motown.

Moreover, Pacheco and Gibbs may hit it off right from the start as Pacheco’s “angry run” playing style is similar to Montgomery’s, which opens up the gaps for Gibbs to pace through with his unparalleled speed. It seems Dan Campbell has found his bread and butter when it comes to the ground game, and Pacheco’s signing only confirms it.

“Detroit has never just been a location to me — it’s been a community. And you all have been more than supporters or a team. You’ve been steady hands, loud cheers, honest feedback, and quiet strength when I needed it most,” Montgomery wrote on his personal Instagram account.

During his three seasons in Detroit, Montgomery accounted for a total of 33 touchdowns. In his final year with the team, he appeared in all 17 games. “You believed in me when things were uncertain. You stood beside me through challenges. You showed up — consistently, fiercely, unapologetically,” the former Lions running back wrote.

Montgomery leaves his mark in Detroit

As Montgomery begins a new chapter with the Texans, his impact in Detroit will not be forgotten. He ranks 14th in franchise history in career rushing yards with 2,506 and sits fifth in rushing touchdowns with 33.

“There is something special about the people here. The resilience. The loyalty. The way you don’t just support someone — you ride with them. I have felt that from each of you, and I will never take that lightly,” Montgomery added.

The 2023 season was Montgomery’s best in Detroit and the second-best of his career in terms of rushing yards. His 13 rushing touchdowns that year marked a career high. He followed that up with 12 touchdowns in 2024, the second-highest total of his career in that category.

Popularly known as Sonic and Knuckles, this formidable running back duo is parting ways ahead of what’s to come. On his Instagram account, Gibbs posted a story featuring the two characters along with a broken heart emoji, clearly expressing his recent emotions.

Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery were undoubtedly two of the players making the most noise, not only in their division but across the National Football Conference.

Having played together for three seasons, they were the first pair of running back teammates in NFL history with at least 10 rushing touchdowns each in consecutive seasons.

Texans add a key weapon to their offense

The Texans have provided C.J. Stroud with a vital new weapon by acquiring Montgomery. The RB joins the backfield following a solid 2025 campaign where he showcased his efficiency and nose for the end zone, recording 158 carries for 716 yards and 8 touchdowns.

With a strong 4.5-yard average, his physical running style is expected to balance the Texans’ explosive passing attack and take significant pressure off their young franchise quarterback.

The Texans RB depth chart will now feature David Montgomery, followed by second-year player Woody Marks, and a returning Joe Mixon. Jawhar Jordan also features on the depth chart. As for Nick Chubb and Dare Ogunbowale, both are unrestricted free agents for the 2026 NFL season, leaving the team. Also, it seems like Mixon and the Texans will part ways before the start of free agency.

As for the Lions, this move leaves Jahmyr Gibbs as the absolute workhorse of the team. Following Gibbs, Jacob Saylors is also under contract, though he was primarily used as a kickoff returner. Third-year RB Sione Vaki is also on the depth chart as well as Kye Robichaux. However, Robichaux is currently on the Injured Reserve list.

Are the Lions receiving enough for Montgomery?

Per Rapoport, the Lions are getting “the Texans fourth rounder, OL Juice Scruggs, and a 7th rounder… So, fifth-round value. But a complex deal.” This means Houston really wanted to land the services of the unhappy Montgomery, who saw his usage decline massively last year despite still being productive.

However, the Lions are getting a potential starting-caliber offensive linemen, as Scruggs might solve some of the issues on that unit, given the retirements the Lions have suffered. A fourth and seventh round picks are what you can get for a 28-year-old running back. All in all, it’s quite a fair trade.

What does this mean for Montgomery?

For the Lions, the mission is clear: get Jahmyr Gibbs a new, very lucrative deal. But for Montgomery? Being 28 years old, many might see that as a declining age for a RB. However, Montgomery has less mileage than others, due to him being under Gibbs’ shadow. He is fresh and ready to go.

Two years ago, the Texans traded for Joe Mixon, a power back. Last year, they brought Nick Chubb. Now, it’s David Montgomery. The Texans like rough-and-tough running backs and Montgomery, who is nicknamed ‘Knuckles‘, fits perfectly. Mixon was great until injuries happened, Chubb had somewhat of a resurgence year. However, Montgomery comes in his prime, and should become the RB1 of the team without much hesitation.