At number 181, the Detroit Lions held the final pick of the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. But in a surprise move, Brad Holmes traded picks 181 and 213 to the Buffalo Bills for pick 168. Just as he did a year ago with Isaac TeSlaa, Holmes acquired another off-the-radar wide receiver in Kentucky’s Kendrick Law.
Why WR Kendrick Law Could Be the Lions’ “Special” Sauce
In two seasons at Kentucky, Law appeared in 20 games (eight starts), recording 86 receptions for 883 yards with four touchdowns, and 16 rushes for 83 yards. He led the Wildcats in 2025 with 53 receptions for 540 receiving yards with three touchdowns.
In addition, Law proved to be a weapon on special teams. As a kick return specialist, he recorded 30 returns for 710 yards, averaging 23.7 yards per return. He also contributed 10 special team tackles.
Law, The Early Years
Born in Warren, Arkansas, Law grew up in Shreveport, Louisiana. At Captain Shreve High School, Law distinguished himself as a dual sport athlete, playing football and running track. In 2021, he posted the second-fastest time in the 100-meter dash in the Louisiana high school track and field event.
But it was in football where Law truly excelled. Playing both offense and defense for the Gators, he recorded 25 receptions for 423 yards and five touchdowns and rushed for 384 yards and four touchdowns in his senior year. Catching the eye of Sports Illustrated’s director of football recruiting, John Garcia Jr., he wrote, “Law has linebacker physicality and cornerback speed, with ball skills, plus technique and a certain savvy about him at the same time.”
Regarded as one of the best high school athletes in the class of 2022, Law was a four-star recruit and inundated with offers. However, one college coach in particular made the strongest impression: Alabama Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban. Committing to Alabama, Law said of his decision, “Coach Saban came to visit me, and his vision for me is to use my talents wherever I fit best — offensive side of the ball or defensive side,” Law said. “Or on special teams. Wherever I can learn football best.”
Law, The College Years
However, upon Law’s arrival at Tuscaloosa, the same exceptional versatility that made him such a desirable recruit proved problematic. His production was promising, but the Alabama coaching staff couldn’t decide where he fit in best.
“He’s done a nice job,” Nick Saban said when asked about Law as a freshman. “He’s a guy that could play multiple positions if that creates value, in your opinion. But he has done a really good job at receiver. He’s got some speed, he’s got some size, he runs good routes, he’s got really good hands.”
In three years at Alabama, Law appeared in 34 games with 8 starts. As a freshman on offense, he recorded eight passes for 103 yards in 11 games. On special teams, the coaching staff named him the Special Teams Player of the Week for his efforts against Texas A&M.
As a sophomore, Law was both a wideout and a kick returner. In 13 games with three starts, he posted 15 receptions for 135 yards and 405 yards on 17 kick returns. He was named the Special Teams Player of the Week for four of the 10 games that season and the Offensive Player of the Game for his performance against Kentucky.
In 2024, as a junior, Law again handled the dual role of wideout and kick returner, appearing in 10 games with five starts. Recording 10 catches for 105 yards and a touchdown, he added another 30 yards on eight carries, and five kickoff returns for 131 yards
After his junior year at Alabama, Law entered the transfer portal to play his final year of eligibility at Kentucky.
Law, A Breakout Year At Kentucky
In his post-draft media session, Law was asked what prompted his decision to transfer to Kentucky. “After my third year I just felt like, hey, I needed to go to a kind of different system, kind of system kind of where I could kind of be moved around a little bit more, put in different spots, create mismatches upon defenses, and just create value for myself across the board…how the coaches explained things to me and told me how I was going to learn and how we were going to succeed on Saturdays and the week plans and daily plans. It was everything that I was looking for.”
Starting all 12 games for the Wildcats, Law quickly established himself as a premier talent. He led the team in receptions with 53 catches for 540 yards and three touchdowns. He continued to show his versatility on special teams, adding three punt returns for eight yards and three team tackles. He closed out his collegiate career earning an invitation to the East-West Shrine Bowl.
Law At The NFL Combine
An unexpected standout at the Combine, Law ran a 4.45 40-yard dash with a 42-inch vertical, a 10-foot-8 broad jump, and a 9.60 Relative Athletic Score that scored among the most explosive receivers in this class. NFL analyst Lance Zierlein noted his “strong hands to make contested grabs” and his ability to regularly break tackles with the ball in his hands. Nfldraftbuzz.com highlighted Law’s “elite lower-body explosiveness and his ability to break tackles and find creases.“
What Law Brings to The Lions
Law’s speed, plus his ability to win contested catches as a receiver and stretch the field, give him added yards-after-catch ability. As an experienced special teams player, he could fill an immediate need.
With Kalif Raymond lost to Chicago in free agency, the Lions need a punt returner. Although Holmes signed veteran wide receiver Greg Dortch, an experienced return man, in free agency, Law presents yet another option to fill Raymond’s role. Having played both gunner and return man, he offers an attractive fit for Dave Fipps’ unit. As a returner, he posted 31 kickoff returns for 710 yards, plus 10 special teams tackles. Law could very well be the “special sauce” Fipps is looking for as Raymond’s replacement.
“K-Law,” as he is known to his friends and family, knows the value he brings to special teams. “I made my daybreak on special teams. Because that was basically my Super Bowl every time I go out there on kickoff, punts, return. … I just tried to translate that to the ball, when I’m on offense, go out there and catch the ball, turn straight to kickoff return. Get it, see the hole, make a play, and expect the best.”
Holmes’ Early Impressions of Law
Brad Holmes’ first impression of Law was in 2024 at Alabama. Excited by his build and explosiveness, he began making inquiries, only to learn he was an underclassman. However, when Holmes saw him a year later, he quickly recalled him. ‘Oh, this is the kid that I saw a year ago at Alabama.’ I was fired up about just what he did offensively. I had no idea about his special teams ability. That’s what really elevated him even more, and not just a return like a Leaf, but this guy can play gunner. He’s a four-phase special teams player.”
At his post-draft press conference, Holmes described Law, “He’s a dog, man. He’s a football player.” That’s high praise coming from a man with an innate ability to spot underrated talent. In all likelihood, Holmes has just acquired another “diamond in the rough” for the Detroit Lions.
