THE DETROIT LIONS MAY HAVE JUST BUILT THE MOST ATHLETIC ROSTER IN THE NFC — and the deeper fans look into this draft class, the scarier Brad Holmes’ vision becomes.

Because this was NEVER just about filling roster holes.

This was about building a football laboratory full of athletic freaks.

And honestly?

Some of these testing numbers are absolutely INSANE.

Let’s start with Blake Miller — because the more people study this pick, the more it feels like Detroit may have quietly stolen one of the biggest offensive line upside plays in the entire draft.

His Relative Athletic Score?

A staggering 9.9.

That places him among the MOST athletic offensive tackles tested since 1987.

Not good.

Not great.

Historic.

And what’s terrifying for the rest of the NFL is that Miller didn’t hide from testing either. Every drill, every movement test, every agility number screamed the exact same thing:

Elite athlete.

Yet before the draft, some analysts bizarrely labeled him as a “safe” player with a limited ceiling — something Lions fans are now openly laughing at.

Because how exactly does a player with THAT level of athleticism suddenly have a low ceiling?

Detroit clearly believes the problem wasn’t talent.

It was development.

Now Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell are betting that Detroit’s coaching staff can unlock another level from a player many believe still has untapped upside left from his Clemson days.

And when fans started comparing some of Miller’s short-area quickness numbers to Penei Sewell’s testing profile?

That’s when the hype really exploded.

But Blake Miller is just the beginning.

One of the most fascinating names quietly rising inside Detroit’s building is linebacker Jimmy Rolder.

His RAS score?

9.53.

And insiders believe he may be putting serious pressure on Malcolm Rodriguez MUCH sooner than expected.

Rolder was constantly overshadowed at Michigan by bigger national names, but every time you watched the tape, one thing kept happening:

He made plays.

Sideline-to-sideline speed.
Coverage ability.
Zone awareness.
Physicality against the run.

The guy just kept showing up.

Now, with Malcolm Rodriguez entering a critical stage of his career, some inside Detroit are quietly wondering if Rolder could eventually become the younger, faster replacement the Lions have been preparing for all along.

And then there’s Kendrick Law.

This may be one of Brad Holmes’ favorite developmental swings yet.

RAS score?

9.6.

The Lions reportedly LOVE his physical build, explosiveness, and versatility — even if inconsistent quarterback play in college may have hidden his true ceiling.

Now fans are already throwing around comparisons ranging from Amon-Ra St. Brown-style underneath usage to a future Khalif Raymond replacement role.

And that’s important.

Because after moving on from Raymond, Detroit suddenly has a REAL opening for someone to emerge as the fourth receiver, return specialist, gadget weapon, and special teams contributor.

Kendrick Law may have a legitimate path.

Especially if he develops behind veterans like Greg Dortch this season.

But one of the sneakiest names generating buzz may actually be UDFA linebacker Eric Hunter.

Whenever Brad Holmes spends serious money on an undrafted free agent, fans pay attention — and Detroit reportedly made a strong push to land Hunter after the draft ended.

At around 224 pounds, Hunter reportedly moves like an oversized safety while carrying linebacker size. That combination alone has coaches intrigued about his potential role on special teams and sub-packages.

And now several back-end roster spots suddenly feel VERY unsafe.

That’s the bigger story unfolding in Detroit right now:

The Lions are no longer building just to survive.

They’re building waves of replacement talent BEFORE problems even happen.

That philosophy is everywhere on this roster.

At wide receiver, Detroit may already be preparing for life after Greg Dortch.
At linebacker, younger athletes are quietly pressuring veterans.
Along the offensive line, developmental tackles are being stacked behind the stars.
Even backup quarterback battles are becoming important again.

And honestly?

That’s what REAL contenders do.

The Lions are no longer patching holes with temporary fixes.

They’re creating competition at every level of the roster so that when expensive veterans leave, the replacement is already developing inside the building.

That’s championship thinking.

The depth chart battles are becoming ruthless.

Giovanni Manu is suddenly under massive pressure after Detroit spent another premium pick on Blake Miller.

Kendrick Law is battling for future receiver snaps.
Jimmy Rolder is chasing linebacker reps.
Developmental linemen are fighting to become the next wave in the trenches.

And perhaps the scariest part for the rest of the NFC?

Detroit still has its stars.

Jared Goff.
Jahmyr Gibbs.
David Montgomery.
Amon-Ra St. Brown.
Sam LaPorta.
Penei Sewell.

That elite core already exists.

Now Brad Holmes is attacking the hidden layers of the roster that separate playoff teams from true Super Bowl contenders.

Because championships aren’t won only by stars.

They’re won by depth.

By the eighth defensive lineman in December.
By the backup guard surviving a three-game injury stretch.
By the fourth receiver making one explosive playoff return.

And the Lions suddenly look DEEPER than ever.

Now the entire NFL is starting to realize something terrifying:

Detroit isn’t trying to prove they belong anymore.

They already believe they’re contenders.

Now they’re building to FINISH the job.