Tape Study: Lions rookie Gill-Howard has quick first step, reliable swim move to impact pocket
Allen Park — In the sixth round of the 2026 NFL draft, the Detroit Lions added undersized Texas Tech defensive tackle Skyler Gill-Howard.
Gritty, the way Detroit loves them, Gill-Howard scrapped his way up the ranks, starting at an FCS school as a no-star recruit, transferred to the MAC, bulked up, changed positions, earning his ticket to Texas Tech.
He only saw six games last year, before suffering a season-ending ankle injury, but he showed enough in that limited action to draw Detroit’s attention.
“Gill-Howard, obviously, came from Northern Illinois and then when he came here (Texas Tech), he showed pretty consistent tape in terms of his motor,” Lions general manager Brad Holmes said. “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. That was intriguing about him.”
Let’s take a detailed look at Gill-Howard’s tape to understand what grabbed the Lions’ attention and close the post by projecting how the rookie fits on the roster.
Games watched
2025: vs. Kent State, vs. Oregon State, @Utah, @Houston
Note: In the clips below, Gill-Howard is No. 0