Mailbag: What to make of Detroit Lions’ draft rumors—and lack thereof

Oct 11, 2025; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (74) plays in their game with the Missouri Tigers at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-Imagn Images | Reese Strickland-Imagn Images

If you’ve been desperately looking for hints at what the Detroit Lions will do in next week’s draft, you’re likely pretty frustrated right now. The Lions have done a good job keeping their intentions close to the vest, and with Lions general manager Brad Holmes changing up their pre-draft process a little, what they do next Thursday remains a complete mystery.

Detroit’s fortress of information has been impenetrable this offseason… with seemingly one exception. The rumors have been hot and heavy in regards to Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor. The lead conductor of this rumor is long-time NFL Draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah, who doubled down last week on Proctor-to-Lions rumors. First, he said this to ESPN’s Mina Kimes:

“I was told they loveProctor, by the way,” Jeremiah said.

Later that week, he went a step further during a conversation with Peter Schrager:

“I was told the other day that whenever you’re doing one of these exercises [mock drafts] going forward, Proctor that is the absolute floor. He will not get by the Detroit Lions,” Jeremiah said.

Oddly, there has been almost nothing made public. A look at the Lions’ top-30 visits leaked to the public, and you’ll only see a single prospect projected to go in the first round: DT Caleb Banks—and his visit could be related to some injury questions.

So what do we make of the lack of rumors? Is it possible the Proctor rumors are all a smokescreen? If so, what are the Lions trying to accomplish?