The Detroit Lions still need to invest at the tackle and pass rusher position this offseason, and the 2026 NFL Draft is their cheapest way to kill those two birds with one, er, two picks worth, of stones.
At 17th overall, Detroit will likely have some cornerstone tackles worth taking a look at, while the depth of this year's edge class allows them the luxury of potentially waiting until their 50th overall selection to snag a pass rusher. Defensive back also remains a sneaky need for the team, with the health of Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph, and the availability of Terrion Arnold, in question.
Three prospects that'll definitely be worth monitoring for the Lions in the first round are Kadyn Proctor, Monroe Freeling, and Blake Miller. All three, as it turns out, land just around the 17th-ranked spot on NFL Network media analyst Daniel Jeremiah's revamped big board.
3 prospects within Lions' reach on Daniel Jeremiah's latest big board
These are three tackles that Detroit could have some interest in, especially since the team is looking to potentially swing Penei Sewell over to the left side of the line. This is a far deeper class at right tackle than left, so this opens the door for the Lions to land one of the better overall tackles rather than being pigeonholed into taking a left tackle.
For Proctor, there are concerns - and also positives - regarding his size. He's a gargantuan tackle who might be better suited on the IOL long-term, and he's also simply not considered as polished as other tackle prospects in this year's class. Perhaps the Lions are willing to accept that as a part of the pick with Larry Borom in the fold, but that's not good enough depth.
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As for Miller and Freeling, those are two right tackles who are seen as pro-ready by many experts - Jeremiah included. On Miller, Jeremiah wrote, "Overall, Miller has the ideal profile for a starting NFL right tackle."
On Freeling, Jeremiah said: "Freeling battled through injuries in 2025, but he was playing his best late in the year. If he can continue to add strength, he has starting-LT ability."
It should be considered a win if any three of these players ends up available at 17, especially with how much Freeling's stock has shot up in recent weeks. The Lions aren't in a bad way right now despite their hole at the tackle position, and clearly, Jeremiah thinks Detroit will have their pick of a top-30 player at that position.