When the Detroit Lions are on the clock with the 17th overall pick in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, it presents both opportunity and intrigue.
General manager Brad Holmes has a track record of making selections that many expect, but he has also made bold choices in the past, such as picking Jahmyr Gibbs and Jameson Williams. This makes predicting the organization's direction in 2026 somewhat of a mystery.
The Lions’ offensive line is in somewhat of a state of transition following the departure of veteran left tackle Taylor Decker and Graham Glasgow. With a range of promising prospects available, the team is well-positioned to reinforce its trenches if they so choose.
But the Lions are in dire need of a bookend edge rusher to pair with Aidan Hutchinson, and with the draft expected to be very deep in this area, maybe that is the more logical choice, and addressing the offensive line a bit later is the desired direction.
Speculation around Detroit’s draft board has zeroed in on several high-upside offensive tackles. Monroe Freeling from Georgia, Spencer Fano of Utah, and Blake Miller out of Clemson are all names that have gained traction in recent mock drafts as potential targets in the first round.
There’s also the intriguing possibility of Olaivavega Ionae, a generational talent at guard, slipping to the Lions at No. 17. Kadyn Proctor from Alabama and Utah’s Caleb Lomu round out a deep pool of linemen who could step in and contribute right away.
Albeit, I feel as though Proctor is best suited as a guard, at least to begin his professional career. He has too many question marks to trust on an island at left tackle, but has the physical traits and explosiveness to excel right away, sheltered a bit playing at left guard; still, a spot the Lions should look to solidify.
If Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell decide to prioritize the pass rush instead, edge rushers like Akheem Mesidor (Miami), Keldric Faulk (Auburn), T.J. Parker (Clemson), and Malachi Lawrence (UCF) will all be on their radar.
With Decker’s somewhat ugly exit, the Lions face a pivotal decision regarding Penei Sewell. Sewell has anchored the right side since entering the league, but with his pedigree as one of the NFL’s premier tackles, a move to the left side, his natural position, seems likely.
Dan Campbell recently hinted that such a change seems likely to occur this summer, which would allow Sewell to protect Jared Goff’s blind side and give the Lions extra draft flexibility, depending on who they select at No. 17.
Should a player like Freeling prove to be the best fit at left tackle, Detroit could simply keep Sewell on the right side and seamlessly integrating the rookie into a critical spot, especially if they feel he'd still be an upgrade in production and availability to what they had in Decker over the past couple of seasons.
Lions still have tackle options if EDGE is taken at 17th overall
Max Iheanachor is a player to watch late on day one or day two, which means the Lions may have to consider a trade scenario to secure his services. Though raw, Iheanachor, a right tackle, possesses outstanding physical tools and has shown notable improvement since beginning football later than your usual top prospects, at the junior college level.
According to Pro Football Focus, he registered a 72.5 overall grade in 2025, ranking 68th among 632 qualified offensive tackles. Over 860 snaps, he posted a pass-blocking grade of 78.3 (74th overall) and a run-blocking grade of 66.8 (135th). He allowed just 14 pressures, 0 sacks, and 3 hits, while drawing 8 penalties throughout the season.
Iheanachor’s profile as a high-ceiling project is exactly the type of prospect Brad Holmes has shown a knack for developing.
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Another intriguing candidate is Dametrious Crownover from Texas A&M. A converted tight end, Crownover started every game during his junior and senior years at right tackle, and now, at 6-foot-7 and 335 pounds, he’s emerged as a potential fourth-round steal. ESPN ranks him as the 88th best draft prospect, with Pro Football Focus placing him at 108th and CBS Sports at 190th overall, evidence of his sleeper status.
Crownover’s 2025 PFF grade was 65.2, good for 211th among 632 tackles. In 784 snaps, he earned a pass-blocking grade of 58.4 (418th), which makes me quite nervous, but his run-blocking grade of 72.4 (60th) is more in line with what you hope out of a right tackle.
He allowed 27 pressures, including 2 sacks and 2 hits, and was flagged 11 times, highlighting both his potential and the areas for improvement. Again, Crownover is someone to consider when the Lions are on the clock with the 118th overall pick in the fourth round, if he's still available.
In closing, as the 2026 draft approaches, the Lions have flexible options, both immediate and developmental, to solidify the offensive line or add a dynamic pass rusher. It is a lot different than other organizations that enter the draft painted into a corner, either needing a specific position, say, already having a good left tackle who wouldn't be able to play the right side, or vice versa.
Whether Detroit opts for a plug-and-play tackle, rolls the dice on a high-upside project later in the draft, or targets a disruptive edge early, the Detroit Lions’ first-round decision will set the tone for a team that remains on the cusp of contention and is still projected to control the NFC North.