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The Detroit Lions are positioning themselves to potentially trade up from the No. 17 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, focusing on the offensive tackle position. The team's recent roster changes have intensified the urgency to secure a top tackle.
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The Detroit Lions are one of the teams everyone is watching as the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft gets underway Thursday night.
Across the league, thereâs a growing belief that Detroit wonât simply sit at No. 17. The Lions have been active behind the scenes, making calls and positioning themselves in case the board starts to break a certain way.
The chatter picked up after the team moved on from Taylor Decker, putting a spotlight squarely on the offensive tackle position. That need was already on the radar, but the roster shift made it impossible to ignore.
Thereâs an expectation that tackles could come off the board quickly Thursday night. If that run starts earlier than expected, the Lions may not be comfortable waiting.
According to ESPNâs Jeremy Fowler, teams around the league view Detroit as a legitimate trade-up candidate. He also noted that the Lions have been making calls, adding fuel to the idea that theyâre preparing to move if the opportunity presents itself.
No deal is locked in. But the groundwork is being laid.
Recent projections are telling the same story.
NFL.comâs Chad Reuter mapped out a scenario where Detroit moves from No. 17 to No. 13, packaging a fifth-round pick and a future third-rounder to land Utah tackle Spencer Fano.
Another mock from ESPNâs Peter Schrager had a similar jump to No. 13, this time sending picks No. 17 and No. 118 along with a 2027 second-round pick to the Los Angeles Rams for Alabama tackle Kadyn Proctor.
The Lions are looking to address their need for an offensive tackle following the departure of Taylor Decker.
The Detroit Lions currently hold the No. 17 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Lions moved on from Taylor Decker, highlighting their need for a new offensive tackle.
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The names may vary, but the direction doesnât. The Lions are being tied to the top tier of offensive tackles, and the cost to get there is already being outlined.
Detroit doesnât need to force anything. Sitting at No. 17 still gives them a path to add talent.
But the steady drumbeat around the league tells you this much: the Lions are ready to be aggressive if their guy starts to slip out of reach.
Thursday night could go a lot of different ways. Detroit is making sure itâs ready for all of them.