The Detroit Lions left the 2025 NFL Draft without a premier edge-rusher, but that doesn't mean they didn't try to land one.
As Mike Payton of A to Z Sports points out, Lions GM Brad Holmes made some interesting comments. He said that there "were times we made attempts to get one," and that there were times where they "couldn't get up" in a trade.
Payton, while calling it "just a hunch" and not based on inside information, believes the Lions may have targeted Texas A&M edge-rusher Shemar Stewart.
Edge-rusher is the most sought-after position among Lions fans, with most wanting to pair somebody with All-Pro Aidan Hutchinson.
Unless the Lions choose to sign a veteran, like a reunion with Za'Darius Smith, they will have gone through the draft without significant help for Hutch.
Lions trading for Shemar Stewart would've been a home-run move, but it's important to trust Brad Holmes
Stewart was selected No. 17 by the Cincinnati Bengals on draft night.
Although it can be a bit of a stretch to hear a GM say they were trying to trade and just assume you know what player it is, it's hard to disagree with Payton's take.
"Why do we think it was Stewart? It's all based on the top-30 visits. The Lions really seem to love picking the guys they have in for those visits," said Payton. "The Lions had just three edge rushers in for 30 visits, and only one of them was a first-round guy. That was Stewart."
Payton also said that the only edge-rusher taken between No. 12 and the Lions' pick at No. 28 was Stewart, with the exception of James Pearce Jr,. who Payton believes the Lions were never looking at.
Unfortunately, the Lions didn't make it happen. Stewart is one of those guys who didn't have a ton of college production (4.5 sacks in three seasons) but has All-Pro potential.
While it's possible the Lions wanted to trade up for Stewart, tons of GMs every single year try to do the same thing.
Holmes has yet to show us any signs of draft failure, and until then, we should continue to believe in his every move.
