The 2026 NFL Draft is just two days away, and reporters are busy contacting all of their sources to get the last ounce of rumors out there before the three-day event.
While things have been extremely quiet connecting the Detroit Lions to any players, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler dropped an interesting note on Tuesday that could certainly impact the Lions. Per Fowler, after conversations with several teams this week, it “wouldn’t surprise” if four offensive tackles were taken in the first 15-17 picks.
With
offensive tackle arguably being the Lions’ biggest need—and the team picking 17th overall—that means Detroit may have to settle for the fourth or fifth OT off the board, should they stick with that position.
Of course, Lions general manager Brad Holmes has insisted that the Lions won’t simply pick a player because he fills a position of need. So if four offensive tackles go off the board before the Lions’ pick and they don’t view the remaining prospects at tackle as top-level talent, they won’t go that way.
“You can’t take a player that you’re not really fired up about because he plays a certain position,” Holmes said last week. “And then the reason why you weren’t fired up about him, he shows that on the field, and that’s why you had reservations on him. Now you’ve got the double-whammy. We haven’t done that. We only take players that we’re really excited about.”
Fowler provided a little more information on the offensive tackle class. He said that Miami’s Francis Mauigoa and Uta’s Spencer Fano are “consensus” top 15-17 picks. But Georgia’s Monroe Freeling and Alabama’s Kadyn Proctor have joined the duo as possible picks in the top half of the first round. Fowler offered these insider quotes on the latter two prospects:
Via NFC executive: “’Would have said no on Freeling in November but I can see it now. He fits the mold.”
Via AFC executive on Proctor: “’He’s the go-higher-than-you-think guy for me.”
If that’s the case, the Lions would still have options at offensive tackle. Clemson’s Blake Miller has been a recently popular pairing with Detroit. Local outlets MLive and the Detroit News selected Miller for the Lions in their latest mock drafts. Other options include Arizona State’s Max Iheanachor and Utah’s Caleb Lomu.
But if the Lions are forced to pivot, that’s where things get interesting. Auburn EDGE Keldric Faulk is another popular pairing for Detroit, but they may have to go for a more untraditional position if they stay true to the board. Would they take a chance on Oregon tight end Kenyond Sadiq, if still available? Are they willing to look past injury concerns to take Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy? Or would they look to provide some clarity at safety with Emmanuel McNeil-Warren or Dillon Thieneman?
While offensive tackle remains the most logical pick at 17, Detroit will certainly have other options should the position be depleted early in the draft, as Fowler suggests.
