One of the more surprising developments from the Detroit Lions’ 2026 NFL Draft is the fact that they knocked out some of their biggest immediate needs. Any time he has the chance, Lions general manager Brad Holmes reminds the media that they don’t draft for need, they just want good football players. Chasing needs, he argues, is a good way to get lesser talent out of a draft class, suggesting that you’ll “reach” just to fill a hole.
Yet on draft weekend, the Lions kicked off their picks by addressing
the team’s three biggest needs in the exact order of need: offensive tackle, defensive end, linebacker.
But there’s only so much you can do in one draft weekend. The Lions only had two picks in the top-100, and it would be unrealistic to expect Holmes to find starting-level talent on Day 3 of the draft at other positions of need. We’ve had a chance to look at the Lions’ updated depth chart and piece together what their 53-man roster may look like. So now it’s time for the Question of the Day:
What is the Lions’ biggest remaining need after the 2026 NFL Draft?
My answer: I’m going to stick to short-term needs at this point, since the Lions aren’t likely to add any more players who could fill long-term holes. So positions like running back, tight end, and cornerback—positions with a ton of questions next year—aren’t making my list, because they’re manageable for 2026.
That being said, I believe nose tackle is the team’s biggest need. For a team that prioritizes stopping the run, it’s been pretty surprising to see their lack of moves at defensive tackle for most of the offseason. They let Roy Lopez walk, and it appears DJ Reader is about to sign elsewhere, as well. In free agency, they failed to sign a single person to replace them. And while in the draft they did spent a sixth and seventh-round pick on players who can play on the interior, both are undersized pass rushers rather than run defenders.
Detroit is likely to lean more on Alim McNeill and last year’s first-round pick Tyleik Williams to help bridge the gap, but the Lions obviously need more depth at the position. It would not surprise me if they added some veteran nose tackle who can just two-gap on early downs. They could reunite with Benito Jones, 12-year veteran DaQuan Jones is still available, as is former Bear Eddie Goldman.
I also think, despite drafting Michigan linebacker Jimmy Rolder in the fourth round, linebacker remains a pretty huge need. The Lions only have six rostered linebackers (seven if you include reported UDFA signing Erick Hunter), and if they plan on playing three-linebacker sets, they should add competition for the final starting job opposite Jack Campbell and Derrick Barnes.
What do you think is the Lions’ biggest remaining need? Share your answer in the comment section below.
