The Detroit Lions aim to strengthen their roster with seven rookie picks from the 2026 NFL Draft after losing several veterans. General manager Brad Holmes emphasizes the importance of these selections for the team's competitiveness next season.
Key points
Detroit Lions lost veteran contributors in free agency
General manager Brad Holmes emphasized financial constraints
Lions selected Blake Miller with the 17th overall pick
Miller is a four-year starter at Clemson
The impact of rookies will be evaluated in September
Mentioned in this story
Clemson
Blake MillerDetroit LionsNFL Draft 2026
After saying goodbye to a number of veteran contributors in free agency due to what general manager Brad Holmes described as "financial constraints," the Detroit Lions needed a productive haul in the 2026 NFL Draft to solidify themselves as contenders for next season.
Was that accomplished late last week?
The truth is we won't know for sure until the pads come on and the games begin to count in September. But we can do our best in the meantime, based on what we know about the newcomers and Detroit's roster, to predict how impactful each of the seven draftees will be as rookies.
Blake Miller, OT, Clemson (Round 1)
The Lions kicked off their draft by selecting Miller, a four-year starter at Clemson, with the 17th overall pick. Miller was dependable and durable over his 54 appearances with the Tigers, and he showed consistent improvement each season. A plus athlete who's been identified by Holmes as a "finisher," Miller should fit right in with Detroit. He could stand to add some weight to his lower half to improve his anchor, but he threw up 32 reps on the bench press at the combine in February, and he has the measurables (6-foot-6¾, 317 pounds, 34¼-inch arms) of a prototypical NFL tackle.
One of the first things Lions coach Dan Campbell told Miller was he won't be handed anything. With All-Pro superstar Penei Sewell likely shifting to the left side in 2026, Miller and Larry Borom — the latter of whom signed this offseason on a one-year deal worth $5 million — will duke it out to start at right tackle. Miller played the position throughout college. Borom has experience at multiple spots since entering the NFL in 2021, though he was at his best when he started 11 contests at RT for the Miami Dolphins in 2025.
Who did the Detroit Lions select in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft?
The Detroit Lions selected Blake Miller, an offensive tackle from Clemson, with the 17th overall pick.
What are Blake Miller's physical attributes and strengths?
Blake Miller stands 6-foot-6¾ and weighs 317 pounds, known for his durability and athleticism, with 32 bench press reps at the combine.
Why did the Detroit Lions focus on rookies in the 2026 NFL Draft?
The Lions needed to address financial constraints after parting ways with several veteran players, making a productive draft essential for their competitiveness.
When will we know the impact of the Lions' rookie draft picks?
The true impact of the Lions' rookie draft picks will be assessed once the games begin in September.
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Detroit rebooted: Brad Holmes picks Blake Miller, trades up for Derrick Moore to spark a comeback
As is the case with many of Detroit's draft picks in 2026, it's quite easy to see why Moore is a stylistic fit. He sets a firm edge against the run and rushes the passer with power, often deploying a bull rush to displace opponents. His win rates as a pass rusher in 2025 (19.8%) and 2024 (23.4%) ranked 30th and tied for fifth, respectively, among qualified FBS edge defenders (minimum 100 pass-rush snaps), according to Pro Football Focus. Moore, adept at converting speed to power, had more sacks at Michigan (21) than all but seven Wolverines who came before him.
Moore, who Holmes believes has a high floor, should come in and quickly establish himself as one of Detroit's top three edge defenders, along with Aidan Hutchinson and DJ Wonnum. Moore (6-3⅞, 255) and Wonnum (6-5, 258) aren't the exact same — "a little bit different body types," Holmes explained — but they do share similar styles of play. The Lions have about 800 snaps to replace at edge, given the exits of Al-Quadin Muhammad and Marcus Davenport. Plus, they hope to more often spell Hutchinson, who was the only edge defenders in the league to receive more than 1,000 defensive reps in last year's regular season.
▶ Projection: Rotational starter
Jimmy Rolder, LB, Michigan (Round 4)
Rolder is one of the lesser-experienced members of Detroit's class, having played only 909 non-special teams snaps in college, partly due to unspecified injuries he once described as "little stuff." But Rolder's efforts in 2025 across 12 appearances and 11 starts were promising. He chipped in seven tackles for loss, two sacks and 13 pressures while allowing 251 yards and a touchdown on 29 receptions (36 targets) in coverage. Rolder's best quality was his efficiency as a tackler; his missed-tackle rate (4.7%) was tied for fifth best among qualified FBS linebackers (minimum 500 defensive snaps).
The Lions lived in three-linebacker sets last season, with Jack Campbell (1,096 defensive snaps), Alex Anzalone (1,003) and Derrick Barnes (939) each handling significant duties. Anzalone's offseason departure to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers might necessitate schematic evolution (more nickel packages), but Detroit still could use an adequate replacement for Anzalone on the weak side as a complement to Campbell in the middle. Ideally, Rolder would step into that role, and he'd do it sooner rather than later. But counting on Rolder to swiftly usurp Malcolm Rodriguez, a trusted veteran with upside in his own right, doesn't feel likely, given his lack of experience.
The Lions selected Arizona State defensive back Keith Abney II in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Lions selected Arizona State defensive back Keith Abney II in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Keith Abney II, CB, Arizona State (Round 5)
Abney entered the draft as the No. 66 overall prospect on NFL Mock Draft Database's consensus board, and Holmes revealed Saturday the Lions had the former Arizona State standout rated "a couple rounds higher" than where he ended up. Holmes called the selection a "no-brainer." Abney (5-9⅞, 187) lacks optimal size on the outside, which is where he mostly played in college, but possesses the requisite traits to play in the slot. He's somewhat comparable to Amik Robertson, though Robertson has thrived in man coverage. Abney has been at his best in zone, using his instincts to read and react.
There's no shortage of contenders at nickelback for the Lions. Roger McCreary (Los Angeles Rams) and Christian Izien Jr. (Buccaneers) were signed as free agents in March, and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. hopes to make an impact in his third season. Abney, who recorded 26 snaps in the slot while in college, said he's willing to play anywhere, so long as it puts the Lions in the best position to win. If the Lions do opt for more nickel packages in 2026, perhaps they could use a mix of players in the slot, slowly increasing Abney's responsibilities as the season wears on.
Conversations about receivers usually begin with their abilities to catch the ball because, well, they're receivers. But it feels right to start with Law's toughness as a run blocker, given how much that's emphasized in Detroit. He's known for being physical despite his stature (5-11⅜, 203), and former Alabama receivers coach JaMarcus Shephard once referred to Law as his "enforcer." Law, who's first three seasons came with the Crimson Tide, transferred to Kentucky in 2025 and saw a bump in both opportunity and production, catching 53 of his 64 targets for 540 yards and three touchdowns. He racked up 505 yards after the catch and forced 14 missed tackles.
The Lions are stacked at receiver, especially at the top. Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams rarely come off the field, and Isaac TeSlaa's role is only expected to grow in his second season. Greg Dortch also will be a factor as a replacement for Kalif Raymond, who left for the Chicago Bears. This all makes it difficult to envision many relevant snaps being allocated to Law as a rookie. But expect him to come in and compete hard with Dominic Lovett and Tom Kennedy, and provide depth behind St. Brown.
▶ Projection: Depth
Round 6 (Pick No. 205): Skyler Gill-Howard, Texas Tech: The 6-foot-1, 280-pound defensive tackle had 13 tackles, including 2.5 for loss, and an interception in six games with the Red Raiders last season. Before that, Gill-Howard spent two seasons at Northern Illinois.
Round 6 (Pick No. 205): Skyler Gill-Howard, Texas Tech: The 6-foot-1, 280-pound defensive tackle had 13 tackles, including 2.5 for loss, and an interception in six games with the Red Raiders last season. Before that, Gill-Howard spent two seasons at Northern Illinois.
Skyler Gill-Howard, DT, Texas Tech (Round 6)
What drew Holmes to Gill-Howard was his knack for generating pressure. Gill-Howard (6-0⅝, 280 pounds), a former linebacker who's only been on the defensive line since 2022, is undersized for the position, but he leans on his quickness and relentless motor to beat opponents. His win rate as a pass rusher in 2025 (14.4%) ranked 10th out of the 512 FBS interior defenders who rushed the passer on at least 100 snaps. Gill-Howard totaled 54 pressures over his previous three seasons, including two at Northern Illinois (42 pressures in 25 appearances) and one at Texas Tech (12 in seven). He suffered a midseason ankle injury in 2025.
Alim McNeill and Tyleik Williams are Detroit's starters in the middle, and Levi Onwuzurike is the most accomplished player behind them, though he also offers some flexibility as a defensive end. Mekhi Wingo (6-0, 288), drafted in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, has a similar build to Gill-Howard. Wingo was active for two contests last season, stuck behind run-stuffing defensive tackles DJ Reader and Roy Lopez. With both of those players off the team, however, there might be more room for an undersized defensive tackle who specializes as a pass rusher. Gill-Howard versus Wingo will be an intriguing battle in training camp.
The Vols like to use a heavy rotation on their defensive line, and West was a steady contributor over his four seasons with the program, totaling 20½ tackles for loss, 10 sacks and 61 pressures across 835 defensive snaps (five starts in 48 appearances). He also chipped in 30 run stops, which are tackles in run defense that result in a failed play for the offense. West's win rate as a pass rusher never finished below 10% in any of his collegiate campaigns, and it peaked in 2024 (12.8%). West, who had a pre-draft visit with the Lions, consistently made the most of his limited opportunities.
Had Onwuzurike been healthy in 2025, he likely would've played a notable amount of snaps as a big defensive end, lined up across from Hutchinson and inside the linebacker on the strong side of the formation. Tyler Lacy, who is under contract with the Lions for 2026, took on much of those responsibilities in Onwuzurike's absence. That big defensive end position is probably the sweet spot for someone like West who can play both on the inside and on the edge. Campbell has talked this offseason about adding more competition across the roster. This is an example of that in action, as the battle between West and Lacy should push both players to be better.