Allen Park — Here are some of my thoughts after taking a some time to process the Detroit Lions’ haul in the 2026 NFL draft.

Revisiting Miller vs. Monroe

For all the curveballs general manager Brad Holmes has thrown in the draft during his tenure, it was difficult to envision the Lions going a different direction than offensive tackle in the first round this year.

Not only was it the team’s biggest need, but the depth at the top of the draft aligned to appropriately fill the void. Sure, there were alternatives to consider, headlined by edge rusher, but had the team passed over taking a tackle in the first round, the franchise would have likely been boxed into a corner, needing to fill the hole next offseason. And if the Lions are as successful as they hope to be, with what looks to be a thinner crop of tackles in 2027, they were staring down the possibility of needing to pay a premium, trading up in the first round, to solve that lingering concern.

Of the tackles in this class, it boiled down to two after watching the film. “Of the six, I feel like Freeling and Miller are the best options for Detroit,” I wrote last Monday.

When we conducted a group mock on the podcast on Wednesday, both were on the board and I advocated for Freeling. I felt his pass protection was superior, the football character met Detroit’s thresholds, and I was comfortable leaving Penei Sewell at right tackle.

But before we advanced to the second round, I paused the process to ask the group, if Holmes is faced with this same decision on Thursday, would any of you be surprised if the Lions select Miller? The shared opinion was decidedly, “Not at all.”

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Allen Park — Following each of the Detroit Lions’ seven picks in the 2026 NFL draft, those prospects met with local media via a Zoom call, with the team’s first-round choice also conducting a full press conference the day after his selection.

Here’s a takeaway from each of those conversations.

Offensive tackle Blake Miller

In addition to chatting twice with the former Clemson standout, we had the opportunity to talk with Miller’s college coach, Dabo Swinney, a former coach of the year who has won two national championships at the school and sent dozens of players to the NFL.

Coaches can provide historical context, from recruiting to development. The focus of the conversation is on the positives, which makes sense given being selected in the first round is the culmination of years of hard work, but the way Swinney talked about Miller was particularly glowing.

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Allen Park — After making a seventh and final selection in the 2026 NFL draft on Saturday night, Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes met with the local media for the third time in as many days to recap the team's class.

● After falling short of the playoffs last season, Holmes admitted he went into this draft with a little more fuel, a little more motivation to get the franchise back on track.

“When you miss the playoffs, that might be the kick in the rear that you need at times,” Holmes said. “…Not saying that I don’t have fire in other drafts, but it was just a little bit more — the urgency just needed to be pushed up on on everything. It was just a little bit more fire to the intensity on this one.”

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Holmes wouldn’t reveal the exact wording, but he had motivational messaging on his office walls that served as a constant reminder of coming up short last season.

That extra work paid off Saturday, when the team came into the day with six selections and made five picks, the most in Rounds 4-7 during his six-draft tenure.

“We were able to get some guys that we had ranked way higher, who fell for whatever reason,” Holmes said. “I’m not really worried about that, we’re not worried about that, we’re just thrilled that we have them. That’s just kind of how it exceeded my expectations. All of them, every single last one of them, they are complete, true fits. These guys are Lions.”

Holmes said one of his biggest goals this offseason, particularly in the draft, was adding some grit he felt the roster had lost, bolstering the competition and rooting out complacency.

“I do think that they’re going to have the ability to potentially make some people uncomfortable,” Holmes said.

● Following the draft, the team immediately turned its attention to adding undrafted rookies to fill out the roster. Holmes also acknowledged he plans on revisiting some vets who remain available after free agency.

“There will be some veterans out there, who will be very interesting, that we’re going to take a long, hard look at next week,” Holmes said.

Just scanning the depth chart, the Lions could probably use some more competition at linebacker, defensive tackle and edge rusher.

● Regarding cornerback Keith Abney, one of the team's fifth-round picks, Holmes said the defensive back was one of the players the Lions had much higher on the team’s draft board.

“He’s another instinctive guy that could find the football, he could trigger, he can tackle, he’s pretty sticky,” Holmes said. “He was just a simple one because we had him ranked a couple rounds higher than where he was, so that was a no-brainer for us.”

Despite playing outside most of his college career, Holmes said the early vision is moving the newcomer to nickel. I asked what traits the GM looks for when making an assessment that an outside corner can capably move inside.

“You want to see the instincts and really the toughness,” Holmes said. “You’ve got to do a lot of things at that nickel spot. You want speed to be able to match vertically, but you want a guy who has a little more short-area suddenness, just to handle the two-way gos and be able to get off the spot. There’s a lot of run-action coming at you too at that spot. So, he’s going to be just fine.”

● Detroit’s other fifth-round pick, wide receiver Kendrick Law, initially caught Holmes’ eye in 2024, when attending the Georgia-Alabama game. The GM checked in with his staff to get more information, and put a pin in the evaluation when he learned Law was heading back to school.

When he returned to the evaluation last year, learning about Law’s special teams abilities put him over the top for Holmes.

“I didn’t think about him at all, until last fall, when he kind of popped up on that list,” Holmes said. “I was like, ‘Oh, this is the kid that I saw a year ago at Alabama.’ I was fired up about just what he did offensively. I had no idea about his special teams ability. That’s what really elevated him even more, and not just a returner like a (Kalif Raymond) Leaf, but this guy can play gunner. He’s four-phase special teams player. He’s another one, he’s a dawg, man.”

● Detroit didn’t select a safety in the draft, although Abney volunteered his services if the Lions want to use him there. Holmes was asked if we should read anything into the approach at the position, specifically in regards to the health of starters Kerby Joseph (knee) and Brian Branch (Achilles).

“It wasn’t that we intentionally didn’t draft a safety because we feel good about them,” Holmes said. “I feel like they’re both trending in the right direction, but it just didn’t line up, just like it hasn’t lined up at other positions in the past. We didn’t ignore it. There were some good ones that were out there that just got picked before we were able to. It just didn’t quite line up. I didn’t really think that class was as deep either, so it had to line up and you had to strike right.”

It’s not much of an update, and, frankly, the Lions didn’t need to push for a solution in this draft. Holmes aggressively signed multiple veterans during free agency to provide important short-term insurance.

● Earlier in the day on Saturday, it was reported that the Lions won’t conduct a rookie minicamp this year. Holmes said the decision was part of the overall evaluation to change things up and challenge conventional approach.

“I told you guys at the end of the season, me and (Lions Head Coach) Dan (Campbell) were going to take a long, hard look at everything single thing, from top to bottom, and that’s what we did,” Holmes said. “Those kind of involvements or efficiencies, those came about from that. We’re not doing things just to do it, just because you feel like you have to do it. You can’t be scared when you want to try something new that you think is going to be better for the football team, and so that’s what we did and that’s why some things are, from a calendar standpoint look like they’re removed.

Holmes said there are plans to replace the rookie minicamp with alternative usages of the time, but declined to elaborate on specifics.

“I can’t say it, but we’re not just removing just to use it as idle time to twiddle our thumbs,” Holmes said. “It’s something that we’re utilizing to put in place of that that we feel is going to be more efficient and better for us.”

● On the two defensive linemen the Lions selected late, Skyler Gill-Howard and Tyre West, Holmes highlighted their pass-rush ability ahead of their other traits.

“Both of them, really, their ability to apply pressure as sub-rushers,” Holmes said about what stood out with the late-round picks. “Gill-Howard, obviously, came from Northern Illinois and then when he came here (Tennessee), he showed pretty consistent tape in terms of his motor. He’s 100 miles per hour. He’s not the biggest guy, but he’s quick, he’s relentless, he’s instinctive, and he can win quick. So, that was intriguing about him.

“And then, the same way with Tyre West. He was kind of part of a rotation with a lot of defensive linemen that were NFL-caliber players. It wasn’t really a knock that he wasn’t really getting all of the snaps, it was just they had a lot of guys. But, when he would come in, he would take advantage of the opportunities that he got in terms of being able to apply pressure and get to the quarterback. He was one that we brought him in for a visit, enjoyed the time that we spent with him, and felt really good about it.”

● Holmes noted the Lions didn’t intentionally focus on drafting defense after adding five players on that side of the ball. He acknowledged that it was more reflective of how they graded out the overall talent of this class.

“I would say this, I think the way that our board was set up that we had a little more volume on the defensive side, so I think that’s why it tilted that way,” Holmes said.

● As usual, Detroit’s war room wore themed attire for the last day of the draft.

This year, team leaders honored outgoing president Rod Wood, who announced his pending retirement this spring. The t-shirts had a photo of Wood from his days as a high school basketball player, with the phrase “Bring the Wood” across the back.

Allen Park — After making seven selections in the 2026 NFL draft, the Detroit Lions have 76 players on the team’s offseason roster, leaving 14 vacancies left to fill.

Most of those slots will be plugged with undrafted free agents on Saturday night. As the pending agreements are reported on social media, we’ll be updating our annual UDFA tracker.

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If you’re getting this tracker via your email inbox, remember to come to the Detroit Football Network’s main page for the latest information on this front.

Luke Altmyer, QB, Illinois

After beginning as a backup at Ole Miss, Altmyer transferred to Illinois and started three straight seasons, completing 64.4% of his throws for 7,607 yards, 57 touchdowns and 21 interceptions during that stretch. An above-average athlete with good speed, Altmyer also ran for 741 and 12 touchdowns during his time at Illinois.

Aamaris Brown, DB, UNLV

Brown started at Kansas State, switched to South Florida for three seasons and played a sixth and final year with the Runnin’ Rebels. Most of his experience came on the outside, but the 5-foot-10, 197-pounder handled nickel duties in 2025, churning out a career-best four interceptions from the slot.

Erick Hunter, LB, Morgan State

An undersized linebacker with exceptional athletic traits, Hunter weighed just 224 pounds during the pre-draft process, but put up elite measureables in the 40-yard dash, short shuttle and leaping drills. After missing most of the 2024 season with an injury, the two-time captain returned to record 102 tackles (14.0 for a loss) and three forced fumbles in 12 games last season.

Aidan Keanaaina, DL, Cal

The 6-foot-3, 320-pounder finished his college career at Cal after four years at Notre Dame. Far more productive with the Golden Bears, he racked up 101 tackles and 2.5 sacks in 26 games during his time at the school, splitting his workload between A and B-gap alignments. He graded very highly as a run defender throughout his six-year college career, via Pro Football Focus.

Miles Kitselman, TE, Tennessee

Kitselman split his college career between Alabama and Tennessee. The 6-foot-5, 251-pounder caught 48 passes for 554 yards and six touchdowns the past two seasons. He’s a good run blocker, but one of the slowest tight ends in this class.

Anthony Lucas, Edge, USC

A big, rangy defensive end who stands 6-foot-5, with arms longer than 34 inches. He doesn’t offer much as a pass-rusher, logging just 3.0 sacks during his college career and peaking at 23 pressures in a season. However, he’s a formidable edge-setting run defender.

Eric O'Neill, Edge, Rutgers

After a breakout season at James Madison in 2024, which included 12.5 sacks, O’Neil mustered just 2.5 in 12 games during his lone season at Rutgers. Still, the 6-foot-2, 241-pounder racked up 41 pressures during the campaign. In terms of his pre-draft testing, his standout drill was the bench press, where he hoisted the bar 27 times.

Melvin Priestly, OL, Illinois

Priestly is a four-year starter who began his college career at Grambling. After working as a blindside tackle his first two seasons, he flipped to right tackle for Illinois, allowing 4.0 sacks and a respectable 33 pressures in 36 starts, although he had some penalty concerns, drawing 54 flags during his four seasons.

With below-average arm length and wingspan, he could be asked to try guard at the next level.

De’Shawn Rucker, CB, USF

A versatile cornerback who primarily played on the outside between stops at Tennessee and South Florida, the 5-foot-9, 192-pounder ran a blazing 4.38-second 40-yard dash during the pre-draft process.

Allen Park — The Lions capped their 2026 draft class with a third defensive linemen, selecting Tennessee’s Tyre West.

A wide-framed, heavy-handed rotational edge defender for the Volunteers, the 6-foot-2, 283-pounder tallied 7.5 tackles for a loss and a career-best 4.0 sacks last season.

The selection comes shortly after the Lions drafted Texas Tech defensive tackle Skyler Gill-Howard and a day after the team used its second round pick on Michigan edge rusher Derrick Moore.

Dane Brugler, The Athletic

“Primarily an edge rusher in college, West has an odd body type — shorter stature with a heavy build and good arm length. He moves with snap off the ball and uses rapid, forceful hands to gain quick advantages. He needs to win fast, because he will struggle to disengage, which also limits his impact plays in the run game. His natural leverage gives him a pad-level advantage, and he hits like a ton of bricks, but lower-body stiffness hinders his ability to break down in tight areas. He would often overthink things earlier in his career, according to an NFL scout, but his confidence developed over his senior year, which boosted his on-field impact.”

Lance Zierlein, NFL.com

“West’s snap and start counts are unusually low for a draftable prospect. He has the bone thickness of an interior defender, but a chunk of his collegiate reps came at 5-technique and even-front defensive end. He’s a solid athlete with good quickness but below-average hand usage. He appears capable of sinking and anchoring but will be tested against interior double teams on the next level. West’s ability to pressure the pocket could earn him an opportunity at the next level.”

Allen Park — The Detroit Lions continued to plug needs at the back end of the depth chart in the late stages of the 2026 NFL draft, taking Texas Tech defensive tackle Skyler Gill-Howard with the No. 205 pick in the sixth round.

A former linebacker recruit, Gill-Howard packed on the pounds during his college career, ultimately settling as an interior option in Texas Tech’s attacking defensive front after transferring in from Northern Illinois.

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In his one season with the Red Raiders, he was limited to six games because of an ankle injury. Still, in the limited action, he managed to tally 2.5 sacks, 12 quarterback pressures and an interception, which he returned 55 yards for a touchdown.

Gill-Howard remains undersized, measuring in at 6-foot-1, 280 pounds during the pre-draft process. He’s an above-average athlete, posting positive speed, explosion and strength measurements relative to his position.

In Detroit, he’ll be added to an interior rotation headed by Alim McNeill and 2025 first-round pick Tyleik Williams. Gill-Howard will likely compete for a reserve role with Mekhi Wingo, Tyler Lacy, Chris Smith and Myles Adams.

Dane Brugler, The Athletic

“A one-year starter at Texas Tech, Gill-Howard played the three-technique in defensive coordinator Shiel Wood’s 4-2-5 base scheme. A former Division II walk-on, he is a self-made player — he went from scout-team linebacker at Northern Illinois to impactful defensive tackle for the Red Raiders. A midseason ankle injury robbed him of the second half of his final college season.

“Every prospect takes a different journey to the NFL’s doorstep, and Gill-Howard is no exception. He made the transition to the defensive line without sacrificing his athleticism, which allows him to slice through gaps and work down the line of scrimmage. Though built with solid mass, he lacks ideal size and length for trench work, which often puts him at a disadvantage. His leadership capabilities won’t go unnoticed by NFL coaches, however.”

Lance Zierlein, NFL.com

“Gill-Howard is an undersized one-gapper using suddenness and leverage to elude the clenches of bigger players. He plays with a non-stop motor and palpable sense of urgency, creating wins off the snap against the run and pass. He gives blockers no reps off. His secondary effort and block counters keeps him in the play longer. Gill-Howard lacks functional size and length, which will make him both scheme- and matchup-dependent as a pro. He needs to major in disruption and chaos to find a long-term home as a rotational, upfield tackle.”

Allen Park — For the second time in the 2026 draft, the Detroit Lions traded up to land a target. Using a fifth-round compensatory pick (No. 181), plus a sixth (No. 213), the team climbed 13 spots to select Kentucky wide receiver Kendrick Law at No. 168.

Measuring in at 5-foot-11, 193 pounds, Law ran a brisk 4.45-second 40-yard dash and proved to be one of the draft’s most explosive leapers, hitting 42 inches on his vertical.

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After spending his first three collegiate seasons as Alabama, Law transferred to Kentucky for his senior campaign. He caught 53 balls for 540 and three touchdowns last season. Operating primarily out of the slot, nearly all of his yardage (505 yards), came after the catch.

Law also has some return experience on the resume, handling 31 kickoffs and four punts during his college career.

Dane Brugler, The Athletic

“Law is unimpressive on paper because of his college usage and underwhelming production. But the tape and testing have NFL evaluators believing there is more to his game. He is lightning quick in short areas and can destroy the balance of open-field defenders with speed to stretch. He is dynamic on slants and stick-and-nods, although his routes show more freelancing than nuance and he is unproven as a downfield target.”

Lance Zierlein, NFL.com

“Alabama transfer with a compact build whose primary function at Kentucky was to add yards after the catch on quick throws near the line of scrimmage. Law ran a limited route tree, with most of his 2025 targets thrown behind the line. Tight hips dull downfield route breaks and he rarely runs routes at his true speed. He has strong hands to make contested grabs and breaks tackles on a regular basis with the ball in his hands. Law’s special-teams background at Alabama helps but might not be enough for him to stick on a roster.”

Allen Park — The Detroit Lions added cornerback depth in the fifth round, selecting Arizona State’s Keith Abney No. 157 overall.

Undersized, but with good speed, the 5-foot-10, 188-pound Abney appeared in 26 games the past two seasons, intercepting five passes during that stretch. In 2025, he allowed just 44.4% of 72 throws his direction to be completed, resulting in a 46.1 passer rating.

Primarily an outside cornerback for the Sun Devils, he expressed an openness to moving to the slot during the scouting combine in February.

Dane Brugler, The Athletic

“Abney is an undersized, feisty cover corner with athletic balance, core strength and endurance cultivated over 10-plus years of high-level competitive inline skating as a kid. Highly alert in zone, he has an outstanding read-react twitch in his plant and drive from depth. In man coverage, he is effective at turning and anticipating routes before undercutting them. His on-ball production reflects his talent, although the coverage penalties also reveal discipline that’s a work in progress. He plays with physicality, and missed tackles are rare on his tape.”

Lance Zeilein, NFL.com

“Feisty boundary corner with the makeup to slide inside and become a problem for offenses as a pro nickelback. Abney’s coverage IQ and competitiveness are loud on tape. He pairs impressive instincts and recognition with the ball skills of a receiver. He’s physical in press, but he loses ground and picks up penalties when it hits the third level. His top-end speed and closing quickness from depth are average. He’s also average in mirroring a shifty release, so rookie reps inside could be a little bumpy. Abney profiles as a zone-match nickelback with a physical press presence.”

Todd McShay, The Ringer

“A good comparison for Abney is Upton Stout, a 2025 third-round pick who is coming off a promising season playing nickel back for the 49ers. Stout moved as a senior in college but primarily played wide receiver prior to that. Abney and Stout have similar frames, length, speed and competitive playing styles.”

Allen Park — The Detroit Lions started Day 3 of the 2026 draft, addressing one of the team’s thinnest areas of depth. With the No. 118 pick of the fourth round, the Lions selected Michigan linebacker Jimmy Rolder.

Rolder is the second Wolverine drafted by the Lions in as many days, following up edge defender Derrick Moore in the second round. They join Michigan alum Aidan Hutchinson on Detroit’s defense.

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Measuring in at 6-foot-3, 238 pounds, Rolder is a high-end athlete who experienced a breakout season in 2025, racking up 73 tackles, 2.0 sacks and an interception in 12 games last season.

Versatile, he aligned in multiple spots across Michigan’s defense, including all three linebacker positions, along the line of scrimmage and flexed into the slot.

Rolder also has extensive special teams experience, although his role with those units was curtailed with an expanded defensive role the past two seasons.

In Detroit, Rolder figures to compete with Malcolm Rodriguez and Damone Clark for playing time as the third, weakside linebacker, paired with starters Jack Campbell and Derrick Barnes.

Below is what some of the national analysts wrote about Rolder in their scouting reports.

Dane Brugler, The Athletic

“A one-year starter at Michigan, Rolder played Will linebacker in former defensive coordinator Wink Martindale’s scheme. A former high school baseball recruit, he had trouble climbing the depth chart because of minor injuries and only became a starter early in the 2025 season, once coaches moved Jaishawn Barham to more of an edge rusher role. Rolder took advantage of the promotion and led the Wolverines in tackles during his final season.

“Given his relative lack of on-field experience, Rolder was a pleasant surprise on tape, because of his awareness and movement skills. He plays with multi-gap range, legit sideline-to-sideline speed and athletic upside in coverage. He isn’t explosive as a thumper but drops his firm pads into the ball carrier and rarely misses tackles (4.7 percent missed tackle rate in 2025).”

Lance Zierlein, NFL.com

“Rolder’s instincts and run-game consistency make it hard to believe he was only a one-year starter in college. He plays low and leveraged with violent hands to shock and slip off blocks. He finds the best routes to the run gap and maneuvers around traffic with efficiency to tighten angles to the ball-carrier. He plays with good awareness and change of direction in space but has average pursuit speed and coverage talent. Few linebackers in this draft finish tackles with the technique and consistency he displays. If you trust the tape and ignore his lack of experience, Rolder profiles as a future starting inside linebacker.”

Todd McShay, The Ringer

There’s a lot to like about what Rolder could develop into at the next level. He can play Mike, Will, or Sam in a 4-3 scheme. He’s instinctive, but his discipline isn’t quite there, so he might need a year as a special teams maven (where his awesome skill set, mentality, and tackling skills will stand out) and some rotational/sub-package work before he’s ready to compete for a starting job in the NFL. But he’s a future starter if he continues to track like he did throughout 2025.

Allen Park — The Detroit Lions have checked off the team’s two most significant long-term needs through the first two days of the 2026 draft, adding offensive tackle Blake Miller and edge defender Derrick Moore.

The Lions utilized one of seven Day 3 selections, No. 128 in the fourth round, to move up six spots on Friday to secure Moore. That still leaves the team with a half-dozen picks to flesh out the depth chart on Saturday.

Admittedly, projecting what the team might do at this stage can be a little like throwing darts. Still, we know enough about Detroit’s lingering roster holes, as well as schematic and character preferences, to take some educated stabs.

Here are 15 players to keep an eye on through the final four rounds, listed in alphabetical order.

Rayshaun Benny, DT, Michigan

Detroit already has two Wolverines along its defensive front. How about a third? Benny is an ascending talent showing promise as both a run stopper and pocket disruptor. He’s got good length and strength, turning heads with a strong showing at the Senior Bowl, which is always a plus for the Lions. He could round out the team’s tackle rotation, filling a void created by the departure of Roy Lopez.

Dallen Bentley, TE, Utah

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Allen Park — Brad Holmes didn’t just walk into the media room after selecting Michigan Derrick Moore in the second round Friday night, the Detroit Lions general manager strutted to the podium.

With a smirk on his face, eyebrows raise, Holmes gesticulated with his hand to the collected group of reporters multiple times as if to say, “Are you guys happy?”

This wasn’t a confrontational interaction. However, over the past three years, finding an edge rusher to pair with Aidan Hutchinson has become something of a running joke between the general manager and both the media and fan base.

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To be fair, there’s been truth in the jest, and, at times, some of the needling questions have undeniably gotten under Holmes’ skin. The selection of Moore, which saw the Lions use a fourth-rounder to move up six spots to secure the defender, should provide temporary reprieve.

“You're going to get off my ass now?” Holmes quipped when one reporter mentioned the feud in his question, drawing laughter from the room.

Holmes insisted that answering his critics was not a factor in the pick. It would be concerning if that was on his mind. No, this was about making the Lions better, and entering the draft light on edge defenders, and even more so beyond the upcoming season, landing one bordered on necessity.

According to Holmes, Moore was the No. 1 option on the team's board entering Friday. Holding the 18th choice on the night, urgency increased when three edges were selected in the first nine picks.

Assessing Baltimore was in the market for an edge at pick 45, and with Moore’s former defensive coordinator at Michigan, Jesse Minter, recently hired as the franchise’s head coach, Detroit pulled the trigger on a trade to secure their desired target.

Confirming Detroit’s speculation, the Ravens did grab an edge at 45, taking Missouri’s Zion Young.

What set Moore apart from the other Day 2 options at the position for Detroit? Holmes explained that Moore fit the mold that the team likes, in terms of physicality and football character, he had showed steady improvement during his college career and had impressed when matched up against high-caliber competition at this year’s Senior Bowl.

Repeating a sentiment Holmes used to describe first-round pick Blake Miller a day earlier, Holmes vouched for the defender’s high floor. They’re comfortable with what he’ll be at his worst, while still excited by what he could end up if he reaches a level closer to his ceiling.

When I asked Holmes what he thought about Moore’s run defense and tackling, the GM raved about the newcomer’s instincts.

“When you start talking about guys who have good floors or higher floors coming in, usually those guys are instinctive players, and that’s what he is,” Holmes said. “He’s very instinctive in the run game and it matters because (when) you talk about edge rusher, ‘Rush, rush, rush,’ well yeah, we want to get to the quarterback, but you can’t just get gashed all the way downfield either. I think that’s a good component to his game that he’s going to bring.”

Holmes understandably declined to put statistical expectations on Moore’s first season, saying he just needs to “come in and be who he is.” In terms of a role, Holmes likes how Moore will complement free-agent addition DJ Wonnum and be a viable option to spell Hutchinson, who has worked an excessive workload the past few seasons because of a lack of alternatives on the roster.

“Again, I probably sound like a broken record, it’s not something that we have been ignoring,” Holmes said. “It just has to line up. Like I’ve said in years past, the year before, the easiest thing is to draft a defensive end every single round, every single year. That’s very easy to do, but you want him to be a good player and produce. …That’s what the hope is for Derrick and we feel good about it.”

Allen Park — For once, the Detroit Lions are following the expected blueprint in the early rounds of the NFL draft.

After filling a glaring long-term need at offensive tackle in the first round, the team addressed a longstanding need for an edge opposite Aidan Hutchinson, trading up six spots to snag Michigan’s Derrick Moore.

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Moore, who measured 6-foot-4, 255 pounds at the scouting combine in late February, experienced a breakout season as a senior in 2025, recording 10.0 sacks and 41 quarterback pressures for the Wolverines.

To be able to grab Moore with the No. 44 selection, the Lions had to surrender their original second-round choice, No. 50, as well as No. 128 in the fourth round to the New York Jets.

Moore will be expected to pair with free-agent addition DJ Wonnum opposite Hutchinson, while also potentially helping reduce some of the All-Pro’s heavy workload.

Here are what some of the top national analysts wrote in their scouting reports about Moore.

Dane Brugler, The Athletic

“With his size and traits, Moore has been gradually ascending over the past four seasons. As a pass rusher, he gains ground quickly out of his stance, with the momentum and length to be effective converting speed to power. He understands when to counter in his rush but has some tightness turning the arc and needs to patch together a better overall rush plan (aside from his power profile). He is unselfish as an edge-setting presence to keep the ball contained, although I’d like to see him be more of a playmaker in the run game.”

Todd McShay, The Ringer

“Moore shares a lot of similarities with Seahawks edge Derick Hall, a former second-round selections. Both are power-based pass rushers with adequate height but thick builds and long arms to help get into offensive linemans’ pads and bull-rush them back into the pocket. Like Hall, Moore grades out as a starting edge (or as a player who will be used in a heavy rotation) in a four-man front and should blossom into an impact player.

Lance Zierlein, NFL.com

“Edge prospect with good size and length. Moore is far more active and engaged as a rusher than he is as a run defender. He has the ability to set firm edges, but his approach against the run can lack urgency. Against the pass, Moore is a bull-rush aficionado, piling up pressures and sacks. He’s strong through the top of the rush but needs to prove he can consistently stress long, well-anchored tackles. When it’s time to finish, he tackles with reliable technique and timing. If Moore cranks up the fire on all three downs, he can become a good full-time player. Either way, he projects as a starter capable of racking up pressures.”

Allen Park — The Detroit Lions solved one of the team’s biggest long-term needs on the first night of the 2026 NFL draft, snagging Clemson offensive tackle Blake Miller with the No. 17 overall pick.

Now, it’s on to Friday’s Day 2, which covers Rounds 2 and 3 of the annual event.

Somewhat unfortunately, the Lions only hold one pick on Day 2 after shipping a pair of third-rounders to the Jacksonville Jaguars last year in a bold move up the board to grab wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa.

The Lions are slated to select 18th on the night, No. 50 overall, but there’s no guarantee they stay in that spot. General manager Brad Holmes hinted Thursday night at moving down to gain more draft equity. Alternatively, the team could look to package some of their seven Day 3 selections to climb into the back end of the third round.

With so many balls up in the air, let’s look at 10 fits for the Lions in the second round, as well as five options who could potentially linger on the board long enough to merit a trade back into the third round.

The prospects below will be listed in alphabetical order.

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Allen Park — Here are five quick-hitting items that came out of Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes’ media session following the first round of the NFL draft.

Trade chatter before making pick

The Lions ultimately stuck at their original draft slot in the first round, taking Clemson’s Blake Miller at No. 17.

The phone was relatively quiet once the Lions were on the clock. Holmes initially said he didn’t get any offers, before amending his answer to note the team had one opportunity to trade down.

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“I wasn’t really surprised,” Holmes said about the lack of action.

Alternatively, when there was an early run on offensive tackles, with three coming off the board between picks 9-12, Holmes said he did make some brief inquiries about a move up to secure Miller.

“We did, yeah,” Holmes said. “Look, we talked to teams, up, you know, way up. And we just kind of talk about and try to see if we can be at peace with what the capital is that you’d have to expend.

“Yeah, we definitely explored strongly about trading up and just kind of seeing how (the board) it started to fall,” Holmes continued. “Probably about when we got to about — right after L.A. took the quarterback (at pick No. 13), I felt pretty good that we might be able to just get Blake (at 17).”

Holmes said there was some added concern that another team would jump them, simply because Detroit’s need for an offensive tackle was so clear. In the end, the team decided to keep its assets and that scenario didn’t come to fruition.

There were a handful of trades in the first round, including a swap of top-10 picks between Kansas City and Cleveland, where the Chiefs sent a third- and fifth-rounder to the Browns to move up from ninth to sixth.

For the Lions to move up from 17 to 12 or 13, the cost likely would have been in the same ballpark, with the team having two fourth-round and two fifth-round choices to leverage in talks.

Dealing on Day 2 an option

Detroit has just one pick on Friday, No. 50 in the second round.

Holmes said the team would reset its draft board to determine if they needed to attempt moving down for extra selections.

“We’ll go back and look at it and get a fresh stack and just kind of see do we have enough players,” Holmes said. “Do we feel comfortable staying at 50? Or, you know, does it look like it’s not enough? And do we need to move back just to reach our cluster?

“We’ve already kind of have gone through that process before the draft started,” Holmes said. “But obviously, you never know until you see who’s left (after Round 1). We’ll definitely go back, see what’s left, and then we’ll just kind of see.”

If you’re looking for an example of what kind of swap the Lions could be targeting with a trade down, in 2025, the Raiders were able to deal the No. 48 pick to Houston for No. 59 and No. 99.

High floor, high ceiling

Twice in the first few minutes of his media session, Holmes highlighted Miller’s high floor.

“I’ll tell you what, when we think about Blake Miller, you sleep easy,” Holmes said. “You sleep very, very good at night.”

However, the general manager also acknowledged upside, both through the lens of the player’s tremendous athleticism, as well as demonstratable development throughout his college career.

Holmes said Miller first caught his eye when reviewing some 2023 Clemson tape. The general manager liked what he saw from the then-sophomore, notably his urgency, and continued to track his progress, seeing steady growth in Miller’s fundamentals.

“He’s gotten stronger, his technique’s gotten better, his hands have gotten better,” Holmes said. “…I think there’s a lot of growth left in him, and that’s hard to find. Some guys, they have a really high ceiling, but the floor is not as high, and so there’s a little bit more development.

“Look, these are all rookies, so they’re going to have their lumps and all that,” Holmes said. “We expect that, but it’s hard to find guys that have the floor and still have growth, because this guy, when you start matching up his athleticism numbers and all of that to these other tackles, I mean, he’s right up in the mix. So, we’ll see how high it goes, but I don’t have any hesitation or any reservations that he’s going to continue to get better.”

Seeking to rediscover former identity

One of the more significant appeals with Miller, contrasted against some of the other six tackles selected in the first round, was his experience and performance as a run blocker. The Lions are determined to get that component of the offense back on track with its remodeled front and Holmes believes Miller can be a big part of that solution.

“Just looking at all the tackle (prospect)s again, just refreshing and looking at all the run-blocking snaps of all of them, Blake was just right up there among the top, in terms of just his sheer run block,” Holmes said. “This guy is a physical, gritty. I mean, he’s a finisher.

“He’s a finisher,” Holmes said. “He’s trying to finish all the time. And when you get into the interview process with him, he talks about that, how he prides himself on that. Now, look, a lot of tackles will say that because it sounds good to say in an interview, but his tape actually says that. So there’s certain guys that they might fit you, but they won’t try to strain to stay connected. But Miller, that’s why he’s such a fit. I thought that he was one of the better run-blocking tackles in this draft for sure.”

Holmes, who had praised Miller’s urgency on tape, was asked to define what that looked like from an offensive lineman.

“Just a guy that will come off the ball, especially in the run game,” Holmes said. “When he gets that initial fit, he’s going to continue to strain through the whistle. He’s not peeking back and seeing where the ball is. He knows what his assignment is, and he’s going to try and finish and bury that guy."

Not feeling a time crunch

It wasn’t that long ago that teams had 15 minutes to make their picks in the first round. That was reduced to 10 a few years back and was sliced to eight minutes this year.

Holmes was asked how much he noticed the reduction.

“I didn’t really feel a big difference,” He said. “I know that a lot of the GMs were polled about that before they enforced this new rule, and I think everybody felt good about it. For the most part, a lot of the trades, they’re pretty much kind of hammered out within a few minutes, at the most. And especially a lot of first-round trades are kind of — some range of parameters are already set before the draft even starts so guys aren’t scrambling around.

“That’s the trade component, because that’s what you worry about on the clock, but then also just who you’re going to pick,” Holmes said. “I always feel like if you’re staying true to your board like we always do, it’s really not hard. So I was all on board, and I think everybody else was on board, so I didn’t feel a difference.”

Allen Park — Shortly after offensive tackle Blake Miller was selected in the first round of the NFL draft by the Detroit Lions Thursday night, he conducted a brief conference call with local media. Here’s a transcript of that conversation.

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Q: Why did it mean so much to you to play every single snap while at Clemson?

Miller: “Well, I mean, to me, at the end of the day, if I’m able to play, whether it’s through injury or whether I’m blessed enough to be completely healthy, I think I owe it to my teammates to be on the field. There are so many people in any organization that put in so much work, not only just your teammates, but also staff, support staff, people behind the scenes. I owe it to them to really be available and to pay it forward to them.”

Q: Tell us about where you’re celebrating tonight?

Miller: “Yeah, I’m back in my hometown with my family in Strongsville, Ohio. I just tried to keep it relatively small. You know, close family, agent, girlfriend, her family. Yeah, it’s awesome.”

Q: What kind of contact did you have with Detroit through the draft process and how do you view your fit into the team’s culture?

Miller: “Yeah, I got to meet with them in the pre-draft process and go over some schemes, some X’s and O’s, stuff. Got to do some interviews with them. I really just love the culture of this organization. I really feel -- I love the grit, love the toughness that’s emphasized, just kind of outside looking in. And, you know, I really want to uphold that standard.”

Q: How do you see yourself contributing early?

Miller: “For me, my goal is just to come in and work as hard as I humanly can to be the best player I can humanly be. At the end of the day, however the cards fall from there, I can live with. I want to make sure that I, every day, come in, put my best foot forward, whether that’s working out, whether that’s on the field, whether that’s in the film room. I want to make sure I do absolutely everything I can to be the best player I can be. Wherever I’m needed, I’m more than happy to fill in from there.”

Q: How did your time at Clemson shape you as a player and a person?

Miller: “Yeah, I’d say that, as a player, the culture Coach Sweeney has I can’t say enough good things about. As a player, he really emphasized finishing, finishing blocks, getting to the ball, making sure you’re getting down the field. Like, you never saw anyone walking around the field. Those were things that were very emphasized to us. Physicality, obviously, (offensive line) coach (Matt) Luke emphasized that one a lot. Aggression, being the toughest team on the field. Those (things) were really emphasized to me.

“I felt like, too, as a person, just generally being a good human being. Making sure that you’re doing all the things that you need to, not just on the football field and in the film room, but also off the field and engaging with the community and just, in general, being the best person you can be.”

Q: How much are you looking forward to playing with and learning from Penei Sewell?

Miller: “Oh, I can’t wait. I’ve watched a lot of his tape throughout my time in college, and there’s so much stuff that he does incredibly well. His ability to move, get out in space, his ability to pass protect, use his hands effectively, how light he is on his feet, all those things are remarkable. Just to be able to sit in the same room as him, be on the same field as him and pick his brain, and go over things with him and get his perspectives on things, you know, I can’t wait.”

Q: What drew you to playing offensive line?

Miller: “Yeah, for me, I really appreciate that it’s a very technical position. I’m a person who -- I really want to make sure that my technique is nailed down and I’m able to really just get better every day and really have a focus every day when you go out to practice with certain things you want to get better. And there’s a lot of nuance to it and I like that a lot. Then, overarching, kind of the biggest reason is you get to go out there and you get to take someone’s will every play. You get to go put someone on the ground, and you want to see them, at the end of the game, you want to see them looking for the sideline.”

Q: When was the last time you missed a game, at any level?

Miller: “I honestly don’t know that I’ve missed a game. Definitely not in high school or college. I don’t think in middle school, either.

Q: What does that streak mean to you?

Miller: “I mean, that’s big for me. Kind of like I talked about earlier, if I’m in a state where I feel like I can get on that field and give my team a shot to win, I want to be there. I want to do everything I humanly can. If I’m healthy, and God looks after me, and I’m healthy for a game, I owe it to my teammates to be out there. But if I don’t feel good, I’m going to do everything that I can do to get in the best shape possible to put the best version of myself out there on the field.”

Q: What was your favorite play or moment from your college career?

Miller: “I’d say favorite moment would probably be Pittsburgh in my junior year. It was a game where our left tackle had gotten hurt. First play of the game, I had to switch over to left. Our right guard, who I was very close with, had to bump out to right tackle. And it was kind of a very back and forth game. And there was a lot of grit shown by our defense, shown by our offense, and we ended up winning the game. Just looking, after the game, celebrating on the field with everyone, looking at our guard who had to play tackle that game and just saying, ‘Man, we did it,’ and giving him a big hug. It’s moments like that that I really, you know, I cherish those. All right.”

In addition to Miller’s conference call, Clemson coach Dabo Sweeney and offensive line coach Matt Luke passed along comments following Miller’s selection.

DABO SWINNEY: “Blake Miller is one of one. I’ve never really had one like him. On the offensive line, I’ve had second-rounders, third-rounders, fourth-rounders, every round you can think, but he’s my first first-round offensive lineman, and, boy, is he worthy. He is big, he’s strong, he’s athletic, he’s a leader, and he’s one of the most committed guys I’ve ever coached. He’s a finisher. He was a captain for us. This guy started every game of his entire career from being a true freshman all the way through his senior year. He only missed two practices in his whole career, never missed a game. So, man, I think he’s got day one ability. I think he walks in and he helps their football team the day he gets there.”

MATT LUKE: “They’re getting a true professional in every sense. He consistently takes care of his business from his physical preparation and nutrition to his approach to the game. His durability and commitment are unmatched, having played in 54 consecutive games without missing one, and missing only two practices over four years. Blake is an exceptional person and an outstanding player, making him a very low-risk addition. He will be a leader both in the locker room and in the community. He’s an all-around high-character individual and competitor.”

Allen Park — With the No. 17 pick in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft, the Detroit Lions filled one of the team’s most significant long-term needs, selecting Clemson offensive tackle Blake Miller.

Miller, a right tackle, started all 54 games for the Tigers the past four seasons. The 6-foot-7, 314-pounder is an excellent athlete, has desired length of the position with 34 1/4-inch arms, and is just 22 years old, despite his extensive experience.

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The addition of Miller sets him up to compete with free-agent signing Larry Borom of the team’s right tackle job and paves the way for All-Pro Penei Sewell to left tackle, following the offseason departure of longtime blindside blocker Taylor Decker.

Notably, the Lions had the choice of multiple prospects who had been frequently mocked to the team in recent weeks, including Georgia offensive tackle Monroe Freeling and edge defender Keldrick Faulk.

Here are what some of the popular scouting reports wrote about Miller during the pre-draft process.

Dane Brugler, The Athletic

“A four-year starter at Clemson, Miller was a mainstay at right tackle in former offensive coordinator Garrett Riley’s balanced gap/zone scheme. Highly recruited out of the Cleveland area, he earned a starting job from day one at Clemson and was a model of consistency for a mostly inconsistent college offense. He started all 54 games the past four seasons (most consecutive starts by a non-specialist in school history) and set the Clemson record for career offensive snaps played (3,778).

“Miller has a good mix of on-field talent and intangibles. In pass protection, he is quick off the ball, with the range to mirror rushers up the arc and a surprisingly sturdy anchor to answer different types of rushers. Miller also shows his foot quickness and physical demeanor to move bodies in the run game. He isn’t a great bender, though, and savvy NFL rushers will find some success using his aggressive techniques against him. His coaches rave about his smarts and football character (NFL scout: “I think he missed one practice in four years. The thought of letting down his coaches and teammates kills him.”)”

Lance Zielein, NFL.com

“Ultimate iron man at right tackle with 54 career starts. Miller has unusual lateral quickness and fluidity in space despite playing too upright. His hands lack accuracy and command in both phases, but he can recover and make blocks with a finisher’s mindset. Miller is rarely beaten by rush games, but he has his edges attacked because of his hand issues. He will encounter difficulties at the next level without better pad level, core strength and cleaner technique. If he tightens up in those areas, Miller can become a solid NFL right tackle.”

Todd McShay, The Ringer

"Miller is a powerful mauler with the strengths to move defenders off the ball. He blocks through the echo of the whistle and has a finisher’s mentality. He is an aggressive downfield blocker who overpowers defenders in space. At Clemson, he was a team captain and three-time All-ACC right tackle who set a school record for consecutive starts (by a non-specialist) with 54. He opted to play in Clemson’s bowl game against Penn State despite the Tigers’ disappointing season and had one of his best performances of the year. He also tested well at the combine.

“Miller sets with a strong base, keeps his cleats in the ground, and anchors well for the most part. He latches and locks out when he gets his hands inside. He doesn’t cover enough ground with the second kick step, and he can be beaten by speed, especially when the opposing edge rushes from wide-nine alignment. His hand placement is erratic, which puts him in vulnerable positions — he’s susceptible to having his hands swiped as he’s beaten to the inside.”

Allen Park — Mercifully, the 2026 NFL draft has arrived.

After weeks of speculation — the debating and dissection of hundreds of prospects as potential fits — the Detroit Lions will leave the weekend with more than a dozen new additions to the roster. That’s assuming you factor in pending agreements with undrafted free agents.

Detroit will enter the draft holding nine selections, including seven on Day 3. As a handy refresher, here are those scheduled picks:

• Round 1, No. 17

• Round 2, No. 50

• Round 4, No. 118

• Round 4, No. 128 (from Houston, David Montgomery trade)

• Round 5, No. 155

• Round 5, No. 181 (compensatory)

• Round 6, No. 205 (from Jacksonville, Tim Patrick trade)

• Round 6, No. 213 (from Jacksonville, Isaac TeSlaa trade)

• Round 7 (from Cleveland, Za’Darius Smith trade)

Of course, there’s next-to-no guarantee Detroit will remain in those slots. Notably, general manager Brad Holmes has executed at least one pick swap each of the past five drafts, including 13 deals the past three years.

So, yeah, expect some movement. The bigger question is whether Holmes will follow his longstanding trend of more frequently using assets to move up the board, as opposed to moving down to secure additional bites at the apple.

In terms of our draft coverage, here are some links to peruse if you’re looking to kill some time before Round 1 kicks off at 8 p.m. Thursday night.

Positional previews

• Offensive tackle

• Edge defender

• Cornerback

• Interior offensive line

• Defensive tackle

• Safeties

• Tight ends

• Linebacker

• Running back

Additional coverage

• Digging for dirt, looking for grit: A deep dive on Detroit’s scouting process

• A recap of Brad Holmes’ pre-draft press conference

• Contract extension projections: Jack Campbell and Jahmyr Gibbs

• Ranking Detroit’s needs entering April

• Grading Detroit’s 2023 draft after three seasons

Late projections

Obviously, the arrival of the draft means a final wave of mock drafts. Let’s take a glance at where some of the top analysts have landed with Detroit’s first-round pick.

Spoiler: There’s a theme.

Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

• Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com

• Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN

• Jordan Reid, ESPN

• Eric Edholm, NFL.com

• Mike Renner, CBS Sports

• Connor Orr, Sports Illustrated

• Danny Heifetz, The Ringer (trade up to No. 14)

• Diante Lee, The Ringer

Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

• Lance Zierlein, NFL.com

• Bucky Brooks, NFL.com

• Matt Miller, ESPN

• Peter Schrager, ESPN (trade up to No. 13)

• Danny Kelly, The Ringer

Blake Miller, OT, Clemson

• Todd McShay, The Ringer

Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State

• Nate Tice and Charles McDonald, Yahoo

Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

• The Athletic beat writer mock

Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State

• Vinnie Iyer, The Sporting News

Taking some simulators for a spin

I skipped doing a mock draft this year. I figured, there are enough of them in the world, no one needs my opinions about what the Titans might do with the fourth pick or the Cowboys at 12.

Still, with a little more depth of knowledge built through studying these prospects the past several weeks, it couldn't hurt to pull some levers on a few of the popular draft simulators, just to see what kind of classes I could cobble together for the Lions.

For brevity — and sanity — we’re going to limit these four projections to four rounds and avoid trades, offering some analysis of the different approaches.

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Indianapolis — A little more than a year after Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes said “everyone can’t play here,” the team’s war room supplemented that messaging on the second night of the 2025 draft, sporting matching black hoodies with the letters “HWS” crossed out across the chest.

Holmes explained the meaning after the team made its two picks that evening.

“We’re all about film evaluation, and that’s the hard part of scouting,” Holmes said. “Height, weight (and) speed are easy, stats are easy, a position listed is easy, but film evaluation is hard to figure out.”

Never mind that those selections, Georgia guard Tate Ratledge and Arkansas receiver Isaac TeSlaa, are elite athletes who would check any NFL teams' measurement thresholds. The Lions determined they were organizational fits, based on the film.

Well, that still only paints a partial picture. The Lions, under Holmes, assign value to more than production. From the start of his tenure, there’s been a premium placed on football character — a passion for the game, unrelenting competitiveness and unmistakable toughness, often displayed by playing through injury.

If you lack those traits, no matter if you run the fastest 40 or are built like a Greek God, you can’t play here.

Some of that is discernible on film. Does the player give full effort, snap-to-whistle, regardless of the score? Does he suit up after spending the week on the injury report or return to action after getting rolled up on during the previous series?

It all matters. However, a comprehensive profile for each prospect is frequently the culmination of a years-long, ground-level investigation by the team’s scouting staff.

In the back of that war room last year, as Holmes was on the phone informing Ratledge he was being taken by the Lions, and others sharing the space with the GM celebrated, the leader of Detroit’s team of investigators stands calmly in the background, hands in his pockets, knowing he’s provided his boss the best information to make this choice.

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Allen Park — When considering how an NFL team will approach the upcoming draft, you have to look beyond the immediate roster needs. Each selection should be viewed as a four-year investment. Therefore, we must weigh the bigger picture with each possible choice.

Heading into the 2026 NFL draft, we’re going to take a position-by-position look at Detroit’s roster, focusing on areas where the team might add talent in the event. Today, we finish our preview series with the offensive tackles.

Current roster: Penei Sewell, Larry Borom, Giovanni Manu, Devin Cochran, Colby Sorsdal, Miles Frazier

Short-term need: 6/10

Long-term need: 9/10

Analysis: We collectively understood Taylor Decker’s time in Detroit was nearing an end, but no one expected the final chapter to play out the way it did.

After battling through a multi-faceted shoulder injury last year, and weighing retirement the first couple months of the offseason, Decker announced he was returning for another, potentially final season. Instead, the team asked him to take a pay cut, he declined and requested his release, accelerating the need for a replacement plan.

Detroit signed a stopgap solution in Borom, a metro Detroit native and Brother Rice alum who has logged more than 2,500 offensive snaps, including 11 starts at right tackle for Miami last season.

Borom’s effectiveness in 2025 was what drew the Lions in, and paves the way for Sewell to shift to the blindside.

In terms of depth, Dan Skipper retired and joined the coaching staff, making Manu the front-runner for the swing tackle job entering his third season, which has a make-or-break feel to it.

Long-term, the Lions still need answers. There’s an outside shot it’s Manu, but no one seems comfortable banking on that possibility. That puts the draft in the spotlight, where there’s more than a half-dozen tackle prospects with starting potential expected to go in the first two rounds.

It’s unclear how many will still be on the board when the Lions are slated to select 17th overall, barring a trade up. Only Miami’s Francis Mauigoa appears beyond Detroit’s reach, unless they want to pay the hefty cost to move into the top-10. Not impossible, but unlikely.

Removing Mauigoa as a solution, let’s take a wide-angle, film-based look at the other six early-round options at tackle, listed by their consensus rank on national analysts' big boards.

The prospects

Spencer Fano, Utah

Size: 6-foot-5, 311 pounds, 32 1/8-inch arms

Experience: 25 starts at right tackle, 11 starts at left tackle (all in 2023)

2025 protection stats: 382 pass-blocking snaps, zero sacks and five total pressures allowed

Fano has an athletic build and tested very well during the pre-draft process. His quickness is readily apparent on tape, with burst out of his stance, the ability to fire around the formation as a pulling blocker or shoot into the second level and mark a linebacker.

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Allen Park — When considering how an NFL team will approach the upcoming draft, you have to look beyond the immediate roster needs. Each selection should be viewed as a four-year investment. Therefore, we must weigh the bigger picture with each possible choice.

Heading into the 2026 NFL draft, we’re going to take a position-by-position look at Detroit’s roster, focusing on areas where the team might add talent in the event. Today, we’ll look at cornerbacks.

Current roster: Terrion Arnold, D.J. Reed, Rock-Ya Sin, Ennis Rakestraw, Khalil Dorsey, Roger McCreary, Nick Whiteside, Avonte Maddox

Short-term need: 5/10

Long-term need: 7.5/10

Analysis: Cornerback has been one of the toughest reads on Detroit’s roster this offseason. It’s part on-field performance, part injury concerns, and the lingering cloud of potential legal issues for Arnold.

Regarding Arnold, the former first-round pick has yet to deliver first-round value. He struggled with penalties out the gate as a rookie, missed most of last season with injuries — including a shoulder issue that required surgery — and his name has been tied to an armed robbery and kidnapping case in Florida, where several acquaintances have been charged with allegedly perpetrating a revenge plot after Arnold’s Airbnb property was robbed.

The team is monitoring the situation, but their modest free-agency approach to the position suggests they’re not overly concerned about Arnold ultimately getting ensnared in the still-developing dilemma.

Across from Arnold, the Lions return Reed, who had a disappointing first year in Detroit, largely due to a severe hamstring strain that sidelined him for several games in the middle of the campaign.

Prior to the injury, Reed allowed 11 completions on 18 targets for 136 yards and no touchdowns through four games. That’s a strong line and reason for some optimism.

Detroit’s nickel job is open following the departure of Amik Robertson. McCreary, a low-cost free-agency signing, figures to get the first shot. Maddox and Christian Izien, another versatile addition, could also be in the mix for slot snaps.

In terms of depth, Detroit brough back Ya-Sin. He will be paired with Rakestraw, the former second-round pick who has missed most of his first two seasons with injury. If he can stay healthy, it would go a long way toward stabilizing things on the outside.

Long-term, the questions are larger. The Lions will have a decision to make next offseason regarding a fifth-year option on Arnold’s rookie deal. That figure is not yet determined, but will likely be between $13-16 million for 2028.

Meanwhile, they’ll have a cap decision regarding Reed, who has a $13.6 million option bonus in 2027, which would leave a significant dead money hit on the team’s cap in 2028 if he’s not extended.

Combined with Ya-Sin and McCreary working on one-year deals, there’s plenty of value in adding a corner via the draft.

Paths in the draft

When asked about Arnold’s situation, general manager Brad Holmes acknowledged that he’s a “pessimistic planner.” That would imply cornerback is on the table in the earliest rounds for the Lions.

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