With just under a week left until the 2026 NFL draft, it's still pretty unclear who the Detroit Lions are honing in on at 17th overall. They've shared posts to social media that could be nothing, but could also be red herrings in regard to them holding onto their pick in the 1st round.
Obviously, things change on draft day as the phones start ringing, but right now, it seems like the Lions are looking to snag a starter at pick no. 17.
Is that even possible, though? Finding a starter in draft class that hasn't exactly been heralded in the weeks leading up to the event?
According to NFL Network's draft expert Daniel Jeremiah, it's more than possible for both the Lions and the rest of the league - in fact, Jeremiah said in an interview with Lions team reporter Tim Twentyman that the one thing teams can get in this year's class is starters and decent depth pieces.
"I've used the phrase, similar to what I said last year, which is, you know, more starters than stars in this draft, but there is good depth. You're going to get good pieces. The drafts usually kind of get run by the quarterbacks, those are the tentpoles that hold everything up. And, you can kind of figure out movement and where things are gonna happen in terms of trades, and kind of set the table for the rest of this draft. We just don't have it, we don't have it this year. Which makes it a little bit of a free for all, but that can also be kind of fun."
Detroit could be winners if Jeremiah's 2026 draft class assessment holds up
The Lions don't need another star in this year's first round, as they've locked in quite a few in recent years already. Aidan Hutchinson and Jameson Williams are here to stay, while Jared Goff and Amon-Ra St. Brown are franchise faces. Jahmyr Gibbs and Jack Campbell feel like the next natural two Lions to be up for extensions, which would lock down even more star power in Detroit.
But, they've also got some difficult decisions to make as it pertains to two other starters on their team: Brian Branch, and Sam LaPorta. Both are also due up for extensions, but injury woes might make the Lions hesitant to dole out money the way they seem primed to for Gibbs and Campbell.
That could dictate their draft plans a ton, especially if they can find a starting replacement at safety or tight end.
READ MORE: Lions' top pick beginning to feel like a lock after latest mock draft
They also just need depth in both trenches, with D.J. Reader and Roy Lopez gone in free agency and as the team continues to rebuild its offensive line. Left guard is not a lock, and adding competition for Christian Mahogany in this draft couldn't hurt. Guards like Vega Ioane and Emmanuel Pregnon could really interest Detroit.
Tackle and pass rusher are the two biggest "needs" remaining for the Lions, though, and both could be addressed at 17th and 50th overall. And, again, as long as both are starting-caliber, that's already a huge improvement from the team they rolled out in 2025. If Jeremiah's assessment holds water, then the Lions have to be thrilled about the chance to cheaply address their remaining roster holes.
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