After entering the 2025 NFL season with Super Bowl aspirations, the Detroit Lions walked away from their 2025 campaign outside of the playoffs with a middle-of-the-pack first-round pick.
It was a very disappointing result, and with the #17 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, it's easy to feel weary that the right talent the Lions need will be waiting for them at that pick. It's why there was a segment of Lions fans who wanted to tank down the stretch, or simply lose to the Chicago Bears in Week 18, which alone would've jumped them to the #14 pick.
The great thing about the NFL Draft is that legends can be found anywhere. Based on the past five drafts, the Lions should be primed to pick up a player at a premium position of need.
2025: DE Shemar Stewart (Cincinnati Bengals)
The Lions need to strengthen their pass rush to complement Aidan Hutchinson. Although fans would rather dream of trading for Maxx Crosby than drafting someone like defensive end Shemar Stewart, as the Cincinnati Bengals did in 2025.
Stewart quickly made a name for himself in the NFL with a lengthy and bitter holdout related to contract guarantee language in his rookie deal. The two sides did not come to an agreement until July 26 of that year, making Stewart the last 2025 first-rounder to sign with their respective team. Stewart played in eight games in his rookie year, starting five of them, thanks to a series of injuries, including an ankle injury and a knee injury. Stewart did not play against the Lions in Week 5.
For the season, Stewart only accounted for 1.0 sack. Notable players taken after Stewart include guard Grey Zabel at #18, who started all 17 games for the NFC #1 seed Seattle Seahawks, and emerging star wide receiver Emeka Egbuka of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at #19.
2024: DE Dallas Turner (Minnesota Vikings)
At the time of his selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, DE Dallas Turner was seen as an absolute steal for the Minnesota Vikings, who jumped up from 23rd to take the projected top-ten pick. But an underwhelming start to his career quickly had Vikings fans questioning his future with the team, and if he would ever come close to his draft hype.
Year two for Turner certainly went much better, upping his sack total to 8.0 from 3.0 in his rookie season. It wasn't just sacks as his tackles, tackles for loss, and quarterback hits all more than tripled from his rookie season. Turner also forced four fumbles, including one on Christmas against the Lions.
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Taken immediately after Turner at #18 was offensive tackle Amarius Mims of the Bengals, who started all 17 games for them. At #19 was Defensive Rookie of the Year and two-time Pro Bowl DE Jared Verse, who was selected by the Los Angeles Rams.
2023: CB Christian Gonzalez (New England Patriots)
The 2023 NFL Draft is a fascinating one to look back on for the Lions, given how controversial their picks were at the time. Taken at #17 that year was cornerback Christian Gonzalez, who went to the New England Patriots. Gonzalez was frequently mocked to the Lions due to their need at the CB position. The Lions instead went with high-talent at "low value" positions, which worked out for them as all four of the controversial first and second-round picks have made the Pro Bowl.
Gonzalez is a Pro Bowler now as well, after being selected to this year's Pro Bowl. That doesn't compare to his Second-Team All-Pro selection in his second season, after missing most of his rookie season with an injury. For as much as the 2023 draft worked out for the Lions, it's tough to watch Gonzalez and not wish he were a Lion right now, given their prolonged inability to find a true shutdown corner.
The Lions did pick right after the Patriots at #18, where they selected linebacker Jack Campbell. Like Gonzalez, Campbell is a first-time Pro Bowler this season and will be a strong First-Team All-Pro candidate. Taken after Gonzalez and Campbell at #19 was defensive tackle Calijah Kancey of the Buccaneers, and league-leading WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba at #20 by the Seahawks.
2022: G Zion Johnson (Los Angeles Chargers)
The 2022 NFL Draft was a transformative one for the Lions after they took Hutchinson at #2 and WR Jameson Williams at #12. Later in that first round, the Los Angeles Chargers selected guard Zion Johnson. In his four seasons, Johnson has only missed two games.
Like the Lions, the Chargers are going to be seeking out ways to upgrade their pass protection after Justin Herbert was sacked 54 times. According to Pro Football Focus, Johnson graded out at a 57.4, which was worse than Christian Mahogany (59.7) and Tate Ratledge (69.7). However, Johnson's pass-blocking grade of 61.5 was superior to Mahogany's (40.7) and Ratledge's (56.3).
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Nothing jumps out among the players taken immediately after Johnson. The following three picks are no longer on the teams that drafted them, with former New Orleans Saints offensive tackle Trevor Penning now also on the Chargers. Later in the first round is where things get interesting with Dallas Cowboys OT Tyler Smith taken at #24, Baltimore Ravens center, and dream offseason acquisition, Tyler Linderbaum taken at #25, and New York Jets DE Jermaine Johnson II taken at #26.
2021: OT Alex Leatherwood (Las Vegas Raiders)
The 2021 NFL Draft kicked off the Brad Holmes era in table-pounding style, with future Hall of Fame OT Penei Sewell taken by the team at #7. The Las Vegas Raiders were certainly hoping OT Alex Leatherwood was even remotely that good. They would've at least accepted someone worth keeping beyond his rookie year.
Leatherwood started all 17 of his rookie season games with the Raiders, but struggled mightily throughout. In August of 2022, the Raiders made the bold move to waive him after just one season with the team. Leatherwood was picked up by the Bears, but only played four games in Chicago. Leatherwood has not played a game since, after practice squad stints with the Cleveland Browns in 2023 and the Chargers in 2024, didn't result in main roster call-ups.
Taken after Leatherwood at #18 is a familiar name for Lions fans: DE Jaelan Phillips, who was selected by the Miami Dolphins. Phillips was a popular trade target among fans before he was shipped out to the Philadelphia Eagles, where he recorded his first Eagles sack against the Lions two games later.
The #17 pick may not seem too appealing on the surface, but recent drafts have shown that the Lions could absolutely find a player at a position of need at that draft slot. Not only that, but the past five years are also evidence that there will be a future elite player on the board. It's just a matter of making the right call on draft night.