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The Detroit Lions are preparing for the 2026 NFL Draft, focusing on their top seven roster needs. General manager Brad Holmes emphasizes a 'best player available' strategy while considering future roster construction.
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Apr 21, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Street banners promoting the 2026 NFL Draft in downtown. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The 2026 NFL Draft is upon us, but before the Las Vegas Raiders are on the clock, letâs evaluate the Detroit Lionsâ biggest needs heading into draft weekend.
While Lions general manager Brad Holmes insists the team adheres to the âbest player availableâ strategy over filling needs, thereâs a limit to that strategy. Roster construction is about building for the short and long term, and that means taking into account not just what the depth chart looks like right now, but what it may look like in 2027 and beyond.
With that in mind, here are the Lionsâ top seven needs based on my own assessment.
Players under contract: Penei Sewell (signed through 2029), Larry Borom (2026), Giovanni Manu (2027), Devin Cochran (2026)
Long-term need: 8/10
Short-term need: 7/10
The Lions insist theyâd be comfortable with Larry Borom as the starting right tackle in 2026, but consider me a little more skeptical. If the Lions are serious about improving the offensive line from last yearâs disappointment, there needs to be a better answer at the starting position, both in the short term and long term. Additionally, being one injury away from starting Giovanni Manu is not the greatest place to be, unless the third-year player takes a big step in 2026.
Offensive tackleâleft or rightâshould be the teamâs biggest priority after spending just $5 million on Taylor Deckerâs replacement.
Players under contract: Aidan Hutchinson (2030), DJ Wonnum (2026), Payton Turner (2026), Tyler Lacy (2026), Ahmed Hassanein (2026)
Long-term need: 8/10
Short-term need: 7/10
Much like Borom, the Lions say theyâre confident in DJ Wonnum playing starting-level snaps in 2026. But, again, this is a limited, stopgap solution to a long-term problem. On top of that, Detroit is limited in their depth. While Levi Onwuzurike is likely to provide some production on the edge, Payton Turner has played in just 31 games in five years, Tyler Lacy splits limited time between the interior and edge, and Ahmed Hassanein remains a completely unknown.
The Detroit Lions have identified seven key needs for the upcoming draft, focusing on both immediate and future roster construction.
The general manager of the Detroit Lions is Brad Holmes.
Brad Holmes employs a 'best player available' strategy while also considering the team's future needs.
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The Lions donât just need a starter at edge; they need depth and reserves to help protect the roster in case of injury.
Players under contract: Jack Campbell (2026 â team holds a 5th year option), Derrick Barnes (2027), Malcolm Rodriguez (2026), Trevor Nowaske (2026), Damone Clark (2026)
Long-term need: 7/10
Short-term need: 7/10
When the Lions established their 90-man roster following the 2025 NFL Draft, they rostered 10 linebackers. As of right now, they have half of that. And while they could very well re-sign players like Zach Cunningham and Ezekiel Turner, the truth of the matter is that they have yet to find a replacement for Alex Anzalone. Theyâve only added Damone Clark, and heâs probably closer to a replacement for Grant Stuard.
Looking into the future, while Campbell is a lock to receive an extension, no one else is guaranteed to be on the team in 2027. Only Barnes is under contract for that season, but if he doesnât take a step this year, Detroit could move on before his $6.145 million 2027 option bonus kicks in.
So Detroit could both use a starting-capable talent in the draft and some serious long-term depth.
Players under contract: Sam LaPorta (2026), Brock Wright (2026), Tyler Conklin (2026), Zach Horton (2026), Thomas Gordon (2026)
Long-term need: 7/10
Short-term need: 3/10
Detroit is probably in an okay position for 2026 with LaPorta, Wright, and Conklin. Thereâs certainly some unknown with LaPorta and Wright finishing the season on injured reserve, but as of now, thereâs no indication it could threaten time in 2026. Itâs a relatively thin room, and they could stand to benefit from more competition, but the need here is really more long-term.
LaPorta seems destined for an extension, but Wright and Conklin could be gone in 2027. Detroit could use another well-balanced tight end, although this yearâs draft class isnât exactly chock-full of them.
Players under contract: Tyleik Williams (2028), Alim McNeill (2028), Chris Smith (2026)
Long-term need: 4/10
Short-term need: 5/10
The departure of Roy Lopezâand potentially DJ Readerâshould be partially offset by a healthy Alim McNeill and some Year 2 growth from Tyleik Williams. Still, itâs a bit surprising the Lions didnât add a run-stuffer on the defensive line this free agency.
I wouldnât be surprised to see the Lions add some Day 3 talent along the interior defensive line to ensure that their stop-the-run-first identity remains intact along the interior.
Players under contract: D.J. Reed (2027), Terrion Arnold (2027), Rock Ya-Sin (2026), Roger McCreary (2026), Ennis Rakestraw (2027), Khalil Dorsey (2026), Nick Whiteside (2026)
Long-term need: 6/10
Short-term need: 2/10
The Lionsâ cornerback room actually looks adequately filled out for the 2026 season, with starting competition and depth. But the outlook could look much different next year. Reed and Arnold have yet to solidify their place as long-term starters after a bumpy 2025 season, Rakestraw has yet to stay healthy enough to know what the Lions have in him, and everyone else is only signed through this year.
Detroit could choose to both raise the ceiling of this room and provide some long-term depth early in this draft, and it would not surprise me.
I thought about putting safety on this list, too, but without clarity on Kerby Josephâs situationâand some decent depth options while Brian Branch may be outâI think corner may be the slightly more pressing issue.
Players under contract: Jahmyr Gibbs (2026 â team holds a 5th year option), Isiah Pacheco (2026), Sione Vaki (2027), Jacob Saylors (2026), Kye Robichaux (2027), Jabari Small (2026)
Long-term need: 5/10
Short-term need: 3/10
Itâs hard to know how much the Lions should be trusting Pacheco to fill David Montgomeryâs role this year. Pachecoâs recent injuries should certainly spark some skepticism, especially with his physical running style. The Lions are still openly excited to see what Vaki can bring in a bigger role, too, but Detroit would be wise to consider a more long-term solution to back up Gibbs, who is expected to sign an extension this offseason.