The Detroit Lions are preparing for the 2026 NFL draft, focusing on their unique evaluation process and player fit. Fans have submitted questions to help navigate the team's draft strategy.
Key points
Detroit Lions are one week away from the 2026 NFL draft
Brad Holmes is the general manager responsible for evaluations
The Lions maintain a unique approach to player selection
Fan input is being considered in the draft strategy
Mentioned in this story
Brad Holmes
Detroit LionsNFL Draft 2026
We're one week away from the 2026 NFL draft! The process of the draft is something that blows my mind year over year. Finding ways to evaluate more players, becoming more efficient or accurate as an evaluator or falling in love with just watching the tape, it's a process that I absolutely love.
In terms of what the Detroit Lions are going to do next week for the 2026 NFL draft, it's a tough one to figure out. Much of that is due to how the Lions keep things close to the vest, but it's also the fact that this regime is always going to do things their own way. Brad Holmes has done a great job earning our trust with player evaluation through the NFL draft. Whether you love or hate how he operates, you cannot deny the way Holmes has been able to get players that fit the Lions.
Through the 2026 NFL draft, I'd expect much of that to stay the same for Brad Holmes, Dan Campbell and the Detroit Lions. To help me navigate through my thoughts on the draft, the Lions roster and more, I turned to the fan base. Let's dive into my first Lions Mailbag!
Do the Lions have enough draft capital to add enough impact players to make them SB contenders? Edge, DT, LB, OT, CB?
I love this question! With nine total picks in the 2026 NFL draft, I think the Lions do have enough draft capital to find a high quality starter at OT (if selected at 17) and a consistent contributor at EDGE (if selected at 50). For what it's worth, I'd love Georgia OT Monroe Freeling, Utah OT Caleb Lomu or Clemson OT Blake Miller for the Lions at pick 17.
As we know, this all depends on who is available and who is on the board. I wouldn't count out the ability for the Lions to trade up at some point in this draft. Ideally, we want them to move back from 50 to gain an additional pick on day two but moving up from 17 or 50 is certainly possible. If they move up, I'm assuming it's for an OT or EDGE. They can certainly find LB and CB depth on day three of the draft (picks 128, 157 and/or 181). I'd keep tabs on LB Taurean York. Much like the offensive tackles listed above, York screams Detroit Lions.
Q&A
What is the Detroit Lions' strategy for the 2026 NFL draft?
The Lions plan to maintain their unique evaluation process and focus on selecting players that fit their system.
Who is responsible for the Lions' draft evaluations?
Brad Holmes, the general manager, is primarily responsible for player evaluations during the NFL draft.
How has Brad Holmes influenced the Lions' draft approach?
Brad Holmes has earned trust through his effective player evaluations, consistently selecting players that align with the team's needs.
What can fans expect from the Lions in the upcoming draft?
Fans can expect the Lions to stick to their established draft philosophy while considering fan input and roster needs.
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Chance Lions donāt take tackle with first 2 picks?
On the Detroit Lions Podcast, we've had people ask this in the comments section. As I've said on my show, I think it's a complete disservice to the Lions and their offense if they don't take an offensive tackle at picks No. 17 or 50. All the work the Lions have done with revamping the offensive line at center, guard and tackle, the last remaining piece is a long-term starter at LT or RT. With so much talent within the offensive tackle group, it would be hard to pass on that with the 17th pick. If they don't draft an offensive tackle at picks No. 17 or 50, I'd probably start having questions about the direction we're headed as a team.
I've seen rumors about Kayvon Thibodeaux being avaiable for a third-round pick. We all know that Brad Holmes loves moving those third-round picks, so maybe? But personally, I'd pass. He's dealt with injuries in back-to-back seasons and is due for a new contract after this season. If I'm going to roll the dice, I'd rather take a swing for a different pass rusher in the third round of the 2027 NFL draft. At least I know that I'm getting four seasons to tap into the tools of that player unlike Thibodeaux.
How much should the Lions prioritize players who fit duo/gap schemes versus just drafting "best OL available" regardless of scheme fit?
Kenny, this is a great question! The Lions should absolutely prioritize offensive linemen that fit their run scheme. From pin-and-pull, gap scheme runs and zone variations, they will want offensive linemen that can move and get to the second level. That's what I love about players such as Georgia OT Monroe Freeling or Arizona State OT Max Iheanachor. Both players have very good movement skills and if we want to bet on players with tools and upside, then these are the two in this class that have that.
All of that said, I will put my foot in my mouth. The Lions could absolutely look at an interior offensive lineman that can be bit of a bully and is super physical but doesn't move as well as other linemen. One of those players could be Auburn OG Jeremiah Wright.
Favorite non-1st round CBs and day 3 LBs for Lions?
Dave, I appreciate the question and I'm glad you asked it. So, favorite non-first-round CB for me would be Arizona CB Treydan Stukes. While I view Stukes as a cornerback, I know others view him as a safety. I think the Lions will like his physicality and versatility. He can help cover the slot or even align as a deep safety. Another non-first-round CB would be Andre Fuller and Avery Smith from Toledo.
I've watched a game of both players and I could see the Lions having interest in Fuller. He ran the 40-yard dash at 4.49 seconds at 6-foot, 200 pounds during the NFL combine. Great run defender that is capable in man coverage but the Lions could be intrigued with his special teams ability (386 career special teams snaps).
The day-three linebackers could be a fun group. My question is whether LSU LB Harold Perkins makes it to day three or not. With the Lions taking a younger approach to their roster and talking about adapting or becoming more versatile on defense, I think Perkins is intriguing. Looking back at what he did in 2022 and 2023 at the age of 17 and 18 is impressive.
Perkins was asked to do a lot for LSU on defense and despite a torn ACL in 2024, he finished his career with 17 sacks and 35.5 tackles for loss. Perkins could be utilized as a blitzer from various alignments and there's overhang potential. Could the Lions look to adapt a big nickel package? I think Perkins or Kyle Louis (Pittsburgh LB) could be great fits for that role. As I mentioned above, one last LB to keep tabs on is Texas A&M Taurean York.
Thoughts on taking CJ Allen at 17? I know he's mocked to the cowgirls alot at 20.
I would not be a fan of taking Georgia LB CJ Allen at pick 17. He wrapped up a recent workout for teams and ran a sub 4.5 time in the 40-yard dash, but I don't think he plays that fast. There's some very impressive range to his game, but I don't think he works consistently against blocks. Much of that is due to lack of hand usage and slow reads from time to time. Through film, it was clear that Missouri LB Josiah Trotter worked through blocks better. I'd prefer Trotter at 17 over Allen but I'm not opposed to either, if they were available at pick 50. That's just how the rankings fall on my Big Board for the 2026 NFL draft.
Medicals are private and they should be but Sam is in a pivotal career point .. how hard are the Lions looking at drafting TE early?
This is a great question and I completely agree on this being a pivotal career point for Sam LaPorta. One of my early concerns going into the draft cycle was the status of LaPorta and his back injury. I'm a fan of adding Tyler Conklin, but I'm not opposed to drafting one.
It's unclear if there's been any interest on the Lions' end. The only player that comes to mind from what I've heard is Houston TE Tanner Koziol. I'm a big fan of his game at 6-foot-6, 247 pounds. I'd like for Koziol to get stronger and add some mass to his frame, but he's a willing blocker and is a good hands catcher. If the Lions land him on day three, I think it's a steal.
thoughts on CB as a need at 17 with arnold/rakestraw as ? and DJ Reed as an aging player. If so, thoughts on jermod mccoy as a fit?
LionPride, I always appreciate your questions on X. Makes for fun conversations. I'm not opposed to drafting a cornerback, but I'd prefer that player at pick 50.
Give me D'Angelo Ponds from Indiana or trade down a few spots and select Texas A&M CB Will Lee III. There's reason to believe Ponds is best suited to play over the slot, but I think he's athletic and physical enough to play as a boundary corner in Detroit. For Will Lee III, he will be a perimeter defender that won't always win vertically but he's physical in press-man and has great ball skills (18 pass deflections in two seasons). Adding a cornerback is possible. After the 2026 season, there's a lot of uncertainty at corner.
If the Lions don't take an OT with pick #17, do you feel the OTs that will be available at pick #50 are considerably better than the OTs that will still be available in the 4th round ?
Last question and it comes from my guy Steve! This is a great question by the way. I'll start here, if the Lions don't get an OT at pick No. 17, they better be prepared to move up from pick No. 50. The run on offensive tackles is going to happen and that could mean that seven of these tackles get picked in the top-40. I'd prefer any of those tackles. The pick 50 option would be Caleb Tiernan from Northwestern or a substantial trade down from that spot.
If the Lions were to move from pick 50 to pick 60 and they gain additional capital, I'd be okay with swinging for a tackle in the third or fourth round. Those players would be Jude Bowry from Boston College or Markel Bell from Miami. Either of those players fall in that range on my board. The rest of the tackles that I've seen need time and refinement. For example, Dametrious Crownover from Texas A&M has exceptional length and good foot speed. However, he needs a lot of work with his hand placement and has to improve how he handles inside counters from defenders.
I've been wrong plenty of times, but I don't see any way the Lions pass on the offensive tackles in the first round. There's too many players that make sense and they're bound to have one of them fall into their lap. Take one and don't look back.
