Detroit Lions fans are hoping their team goes big in next week's NFL Draft, and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport thinks the team will answer those calls -- just not in the way fans expected.
In an appearance on NFL Network's The Insider, Rapoport shares what he thinks the Lions have in mind for the first round:
"I would say this, just my general read on the Detroit Lions, two things: One, it's never going to quite be what you think, because they do have a different way of looking at the draft from a lot of people.
Two, if you say to me what do I think, I would say a big person. Somebody big. An offensive tackle, a defensive tackle, to come in and add to that good defensive line group that they have alongside Alim McNeill and Tyleik (Williams). I would say that, to me, makes sense. The Lions drafting someone enormous would be something to talk about on draft night."
From The Insiders on @NFLNetwork: What might the #Lions do early in this Draft? Think big. pic.twitter.com/PsuFgvxM60
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 14, 2026
Rapoport's read does align with NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah, who says the Lions "love" Alabama OT Kadyn Proctor. Proctor weighed in at the NFL Combine at 352 lbs, with his weight among the chief concerns and whether or not he can find and maintain the sweet spot to maximize his balance and ability.
If the Lions believe Proctor can do just that, he would have to be the favorite for #17, unless another desirable candidate falls to them. That desirable candidate doesn't even have to be a big guy, maybe someone like Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy, who's been on the rise after a fantastic Pro Day.
The growing expectation is that the Lions will go OL with their first pick, but as Rapoport alluded to, there are big guys on both sides of the line. Would the Lions really go with another DT in the first round?
A DT would make sense for the Lions
A DT would be an interesting choice for the Lions, since that's the direction they went last year when they took Ohio State's Tyleik Williams in the first round. That would fit a little more with Rapoport's first read of "it's never going to quite be what you think," as fans would be ripping their hair out if they don't hear Roger Goodell say something along the lines of OL or EDGE in the first round.
Adding another big body there does make sense, however. The Lions have vacancies in the interior with Roy Lopez and D.J. Reader's departures. Reader isn't expected to sign with a team until after the draft and has visited the Baltimore Ravens and New York Giants. He is open to a Detroit return, and depending on how the draft shakes out, the Lions could possibly bring him back if the price is right.
READ MORE: Lions seem primed to make huge spending moves ahead of NFL Draft
We'll soon find out just how big the Lions will go, whether it's literal in size or if they do a splashy trade-up move to take a highly-ranked prospect. As always with Brad Holmes and the Lions, expect the unexpected.
Add us as a preferred source on Google