2026 Grit Index: Which OTs best fit the Detroit Lions’ culture

The rest of the projected first-round picks

• Spencer Fano, RT, Utah: 8.61 (Top 12%)
• Max Iheanachor, RT, Arizona State: 8.24 (Top 18%)
• Francis Mauigoa, RT, Miami: 8.03 (Top 23%)
• Caleb Lomu, LT, Utah: 7.91 (Top 26%)
• Monroe Freeling, LT, Georgia: 7.68 (Top 30%)
• Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama: 6.77 (Top 52%) From an on-field talent perspective, the top two offensive tackles on most analysts’ draft boards are Mauigoa and Fano, and both land in Tier 2 of the Grit index. Both tackles would surely be in play for the Lions if they happen to slide and become available. Iheanachor also lands firmly in Tier 2, and with his untapped upside, he should be considered a sleeper option for Detroit. While Freeling and Lomu drop into Tier 3, that still puts them in the top third of this draft class for grit, a very respectable score. Proctor is the wild card of the group, and his grit score lands him in the middle of the pack, which won’t help him get an edge for those evaluators who are on the fence with his evaluation. From a talent perspective, I would completely understand the Lions being tempted to gamble on his upside, but there’s not a lot in his history that suggests any guarantees that he reaches his potential. **Keep an eye on**:
• Vega Ioane, LG, Penn State: 8.49 (Top 12%) While this article is focused on offensive tackles, I’d be negligent if I didn’t mention the fact that Ioane is in the conversation as the best offensive lineman in this draft class. If he’s available, the Lions would likely consider him. Highly competitive with a strong work ethic and a high level of intelligence, Ioane is an exciting blend of talent and grit.

If the Lions pass on an OT in Round 1

• Gennings Dunker, RT/G, Iowa: 9.05 (Top 7%)
• Caleb Tiernan, OT/G, Northwestern: 8.52 (Top 14%)
• Austin Barber, OT/G, Florida: 7.15 (Top 42%)
• Travis Burke, RT, Memphis: 7.06 (Top 45%)
• Markel Bell, LT, Miami: 5.01 (Top 83%)
• Jude Bowry, OT/G: 5.01 (Top 83%) If the Lions opt not to select an offensive tackle in Round 1, there is a drop-off in talent, but the above players have the potential to compete for a starting role now or in the future. While I have Dunker listed as a guard on my Lions-based draft board (I think his first-step quickness is that of an interior player), there are several analysts that I respect who believe he could play right tackle in the Lions’ scheme, so I included him in this group. If the Lions are looking for a tackle in Round 2, the highly competitive Tier 1 grit player from Iowa would be a lot of fun in Detroit. Dunker and Tiernan are right next to each other on my draft board, and they may be the only prospects in this section who could truly give Lions right tackle Larry Borom a legitimate run for a starting role.

Backup and swing options on Day 3

• Aamil Wagner, RT, Notre Dame: 8.31
• Fa’alili Fa’amoe, T/G, Wake Forest: 8.12
• Alan Herron, RT, Maryland: 7.82
• JC Davis, T/G, Illinois: 7.31
• Gavin Ortega, T/G, Weber State: 7.24
• Kage Casey, T/G, Boise State: 7.2
• Carver Willis, T/G, Washington: 6.83
• Chris Adams, LT, Memphis: 6.69
• Tristan Leigh, LT, Clemson: 6.34
• Alex Harkey, T/G, Oregon: 6.09 If the Lions end up on Day 3 looking for an offensive tackle, a player’s grit component will likely become even more important, as that player will have a lot of work ahead of them to make an impact on the roster. Wagner is the only remaining player to crack the top 20% on the Grit Index, but his talent points to him being a late-round pick and likely a swing tackle in the NFL.

The rest of the OT class

• Nolan Rucci, RT, Penn State: 5.93
• Keagen Trost, T/G, Missouri: 5.71
• Dametrious Crownover, RT, Texas A&M: 5.51
• Enrique Cruz, RT, Kansas: 5.23
• Jayden Williams, RT, Mississippi: 5.23
• Drew Shelton, LT Penn State: 5.01
• Riley Mahlman, LT, Wisconsin: 4.81
• Diego Pounds, LT, Mississippi: 4.66
• Isaiah World, LT, Oregon: 4.66
• James Neal, T/G, Iowa State: 3.05
• Kahlil Benson, T/G, Indiana: 3.05 Of the players in this group, Cruz is the one who garners the majority of my attention. With swing tackle experience (playing both left and right tackle) and a 9.99 RAS Score, there’s an upside to his game that is appealing. While his Grit Score is less than ideal (bottom 20%), some of that is because he is still raw and a bit of an unknown, which leads to limited information.