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The Detroit Lions' draft selections include six players considered 'reaches' and one major 'steal' according to media consensus. Evaluating draft picks in real-time is challenging, as player performance unfolds over time.
BOULDER, CO - NOVEMBER 22: Keith Abney II #1 of the Arizona State Sun Devils celebrates after a fumble recovery in the second half against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field on November 22, 2025 in Boulder, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Itās almost impossible to judge the true value of a draft pick in real time. People love labeling selections as āreachesā or āsteals,ā but that kind of talk is more guesswork than anything else at this point. What actually matters is how a player performs over time on the field and that obviously takes time to find out.
We also donāt have access to every teamās draft board, so thereās no way to know exactly how each front office viewed these players. What we can do, though, is stack the Lionsā picks up against the general media consensus to see whether they selected players earlier or later than expected. Itās not a flawless approachāmedia rankings can differ quite a bit from team evaluationsābut many analysts are well-connected and have spent years sharpening their scouting process.
So letās look at each pick the Lions made, and compare it to the 2026 NFL Draft Consensus Big Board from our close and personal friend Arif Hasan, which ranked 300 players according to averages from over 100 different media big boards this draft cycle.
Consensus big board ranking: 31
Lions draft selection spot: 17
The Lionsā first pick of the 2026 NFL Draft was a reach according to the big board, but Miller was still considered a prospect with a first-round grade. As the draftās OT6, Miller was the fourth offensive tackle off the board behind Spencer Fano (OT2), Francis Mauigoa (OT1), and Kadyn Proctor (OT4). He may have been a āreach,ā but the āPositional Villainsā valued filling a long-term need at a premium position. Itās also fair to wonder how much Millerās positional rigidity at right tackle caused him to be rated lower than other offensive tackles who primarily played on the blindside like Caleb Lomu (OT5) or Monroe Freeling (OT3).
Miller will come into training camp as the presumed starter at right tackle pending the outcome of a camp battle (scuffle, tussle?) with Larry Borom.
Consensus big board ranking: 63
Lions draft selection spot: 44
Detroit didnāt let the board come to them for this pick, choosing to package picks 50 and 128 to move up six spots to No. 44 and select Derrick Moore. Back-to-back picks filled needs the Lions had coming into the draft, and this pick was another reach, but much like the selection of Miller in Round 1, Moore was still viewed as a consensus pick within the round he was drafted.
Ranked as EDGE11, only Gabe Jacas (EDGE10) and Zion Young (EDGE7) were the higher-ranked edge defenders still on the board when the Lions were on the clock. Young would end up being the 45th overall pick to Baltimoreāa team the Lions leapfrogged intentionally to ensure Moore would be availableāand Jacas was pick No. 55. Moore figures to start as a subpackage player, insulated by the teamās signing of DJ Wonnum, an established edge setter on first and second down. With some seasoning, Moore could eventually become a three-down player for the Lions and finally provide them with a viable edge defender opposite of Aidan Hutchinson.
Consensus big board ranking: 167
Lions draft selection spot: 118
For the third selection in a row, Rolder filled a need vacated by a veteran departure in free agencyāin this case, Alex Anzalone as the teamās WILL linebacker. Rolder was ranked LB16, but was selected far earlier than LB15 (Taurean York, undrafted) and LB14 (Aiden Fisher, No. 253). In fact, only seven of the consensus boardās linebackers went before Rolder, and linebackers eight through 15 all were selected after pick No. 118.
Rolder feels like a bit of a project at linebacker, but he should be a heavy contributor on special teams in his rookie season.
Consensus big board ranking: 61
Lions draft selection spot: 157
Keith Abney II was someone Holmes was considering at 118, so itās no surprise he was the pick at No. 157. The sheer value of selecting Abney, the 61st-ranked player on the consensus big board, dragged the Lionsā draft from the bottom of the value rankings to being perfectly average (16th). Abney was one of the best values in the 2026 NFL Draft with a 96-pick discrepancy between his ranking on the big board and slot he was actually drafted.
The cornerback with inside-outside versatility should immediately challenge for the teamās open spot at nickel, depth on the outside, and provide special teams snaps, too.
Consensus big board ranking: 200
Lions draft selection spot: 168
Detroit traded up for a second time in this yearās draft when they moved up to grab Kendrick Law, a speedy wide receiver and return specialist with an eagerness to get involved in the blocking game. Law was a bit of reach as a consensus mid sixth-round pick but selected by Detroit in the late fifth round.
Consensus big board ranking: 227
Lions draft selection spot: 205
Another slight reach by the Lions is overshadowed by Skyler Gill-Howardās story, one that will win you over if you arenāt already familiar with the 23-year-oldās journey to the NFL. Detroit sure would welcome some more playmaking from the three-technique, and Gill-Howard will get his chance in training camp to audition for a spot on the teamās 53-man roster.
Consensus big board ranking: 378
Lions draft selection spot: 222
West was by far Detroitās biggest reach, ranked well outside the top-300 prospects on the consensus big board but selected with pick No. 222.
The Lions made six selections labeled as 'reaches' and one significant 'steal' based on media consensus.
Media consensus provides a comparative framework for evaluating draft picks, though it may differ from team evaluations.
The 2026 NFL Draft Consensus Big Board ranks 300 players based on averages from over 100 different media big boards.
Judging draft picks in real-time is challenging because player performance takes time to assess and team evaluations may vary.

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