ESPN projects Detroit Lions' first-round NFL draft pick based on intel

Popular ESPN NFL analyst Peter Schrager shared his first 2026 NFL mock draft based upon intel he's received from sources around the league.

The prevailing thought surrounding the Detroit Lions' first-round pick at No. 17 overall is that the organization will look to fill the void at offensive tackle following Taylor Decker's release or that the Lions will find help at EDGE opposite Aidan Hutchinson.

Schrager's initial mock draft has the Lions looking a slightly different direction, though. Schrager forecasts Penn State offensive guard Olaivavega Ioane to Detroit at No. 17.

I'm not sure there's a more "Dan Campbell" player in this draft than Ioane. He's 6-foot-4 and 320 pounds, and he plays with a mean streak. Ioane didn't give up a single sack and was an All-American last season at Penn State. Nice fit on the interior for the Detroit line. - Peter Schrager, ESPN

The Lions really like Tate Ratledge at one of its starting guard slots, but is Christian Mahogany still in the long-term plans? If the answer is no, then Ioane would make a lot of sense at No. 17 to help refortify the interior of Detroit's offensive line.

That would certainly make Jahmyr Gibbs and Isiah Pacheco happy campers. A better Lions running game should help open up some things in the passing game for Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, too.

For more Lions coverage, follow us on X, @TheLionsWire, and give our Facebook page a like. Follow Josh on X, @JoshOnLions

This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: ESPN projects Detroit Lions' first-round NFL draft pick based on intel