It's finally time to end the speculation. The Detroit Lions are on the clock at 17th overall in this year's 2026 NFL Draft, which is just about the only sure-thing we can observe about the team headed into this year's festivities.
General manager Brad Holmes didn't shy away from honing down on his own process as it pertains to the draft in his pre-draft availability, telling reporters he still would like to take the best player available to him whenever possible, while also leaving the door wide open for a trade as early as the first round.
The Lions' needs are obvious: pass rusher, offensive tackle, defensive tackle, and some additional defensive back help. This order probably means nothing to Holmes, but it means a lot to a fanbase that's hoping to get back to the postseason after a disappointing 2025 campaign.
- Lions draft snapshot
- Draft pick tracker
- What the experts are saying
- Updated Lions depth chart
- NFC North rival picks
Lions draft snapshot
- Current draft capital: Picks No. 17, 50, 118, 128, 157, 181, 205, 213, 222
- Primary needs: Right tackle, Edge rusher, Defensive tackle, Defensive back, Running back
- Last selection: DT Tyre West
- Last updated: April 25, 2026, 7:00 PM, ESET
The Lions covered some important bases in free agency, signing one of the better centers on the market in Cade Mays and finding some decent depth at right tackle in Larry Borom. They also added Isiah Pacheco as a David Montgomery Replacement, brought in some veteran lineman help with Ben Bartch coming on, and added a flurry of competitors in their secondary.
They still, of course, did not add a starting pass rusher to throw into the lineup next to Aidan Hutchinson, nor did they address their sudden hole at left tackle thanks to the release of Taylor Decker. This draft offers Detroit some decent opportunities to find both between the 1st and 2nd round.
Draft pick tracker
Pick | Player |
|---|---|
17 | Blake Miller, Clemson |
44 (Acquired from NYJ) | Derrick Moore, Michigan |
118 | Jimmy Rolder, Michigan |
157 | Keith Abney II |
168 (via BUF) | Kendrick Law |
205 | Skylar Gill-Howard |
222 | Tyre West |
No. 17 pick: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
Miller has all the traits to become a longterm answer for the Lions at right tackle. The Clemson Tiger pieced together a program record for snaps from scrimmage with 3,778, and with 54 consecutive starts. He's an iron man, through and through, which is exactly what the Lions needed out of a tackle in this draft.
While they could've had their pick of Keldrick Faulk or T.J. Parker at this spot - or even Jermod McCoy - Miller is the safest bet for the Lions in terms of their ability to protect Jared Goff, maintain a strong line, and create a future for their pass protection.
Read more about the Miller pick here.
No. 44 pick: Derrick Moore, EDGE, Michigan
Brad Holmes landed the most Holmes-like player in Moore at 44th overall. After a quick trade up with the Jets to grab him ahead of a potential run on edge rushers, Moore lands with the Lions and stays put in Michigan after playing for the Wolverines the last four seasons. He's a high-floor pick, same as Miller, so it's basically another safe swing for Detroit here.
Without a 3rd-rounder, it was expected that Detroit would go for a pass rusher before there was a steep falloff in talent in that group. Moore is the guy, despite players like Zion Young and Gabe Jacas still being on the board for the taking.
Read more about the "unselfish" Moore here.
No. 118 pick: Jimmy Rolder, LB, Michigan
Perhaps Brad Holmes' type is simply players that are already in the area...
Joking aside, Rolder is a solid get for the Lions in the 4th round, as he was always projected as a Day 3 pick. The linebacker is a strong run defender, grading out at 9.53 in his RAS. As we know, Holmes loves to look at that to evaluate athletic, under-the-radar prospects late in the draft.
Rolder can either be an Alex Anzalone for the Lions, or act as a decent backup to Malcolm Rodriguez and Derrick Barnes.
Read more about Rolder's fit on the Lions' depth chart here.
No. 157 pick: DB Keith Abney II
Abney falling all the way to the Lions in the 5th round might be the best value pick for them in this entire draft. He was a beloved cornerback in the pre-draft evaluation process, with ESPN's Matt Miller saying that he might be the steal of the draft. He's a slot corner with physical tackling in his toolbox, but he's also a ball hawk.
Abney immediately upgrades Detroit's depth in their cornerback room, creating competition for Ennis Rakestraw Jr. and providing some youth to a room that's been hampered by injuries. Abney is, quote, "just happy to be a Lion." That attitude will surely help to endear himself to this fanbase. He also gives the Lions an immediate answer to losing Amik Robertson in free agency.
Read more about Abney's fit with the Lions here.
No. 168 pick (via BUF): WR Kendrick Law
Law might've been a surprising pick here - well, surprising to anyone who doesn't know that Brad Holmes loves to randomly take receivers deep in the draft - but his fit makes sense for Detroit's special teams needs. He's a speedy receiver who averaged 9.5 yards per carry in 2025 for Kentucky. He was a good returner for the Wildcats in 2023, but hadn't really been utilized by them on special teams following that season.
He's a good answer to losing Kalif Raymond in free agency. And, what else could fans really expect out of a weaker class, all the way in the 5th round?
Read more about Law's value and upside here.
No. 205 pick: DT Skylar Gill-Howard
The Lions might see something in Gill-Howard and his explosiveness on the defensive line, but his size is a major concern. At just 6-1, he may not translate well as a defensive tackle full time in the NFL. Presumably, with the Lions taking him, they have a role in mind for the Texas Tech defender.
If nothing else, he's excited to be a Lion. He told reporters in his post-pick availability that he only had one hat available to him in case of being selected: a Lions hat. His grandfather gave it to him.
Read more about his one flaw being his size here.
No. 222 pick: DT Tyre West
With their last pick, the Lions finally picked up a player they had met with during the 30-visit period. West is another developmental tackle who could use some refinement, but one that could slot in as an edge rusher on their depth chart.
Funnily enough, the Lions also snagged West off the board before the New York Jets could take him, who seemed to be very interested in landing him throughout the pre-draft process. You can read more about that here.
What the experts are saying
Pick no. 17: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson:
Sports Illustrated: A-
"Miller is a polished starter who should step in immediately and start for a Lions team attempting to replace longtime tackle Taylor Decker. With Penei Sewell potentially moving to the left side, Miller should stay in his natural position and give the Lions a strong front in 2026."
"Miller is an explosive and experienced offensive tackle who will fit in perfectly with the culture they've built in Detroit. This likely confirms Penei Sewell to the left side as Miller was a four-year starter at right tackle. Why I went lower with the grade here is because it felt like the Lions prioritized readiness given their tackle need over best player available."
Yahoo Sports' Charles McDonald: B
"This is what the Lions needed to do: grab an offensive tackle with big upside who can start across from Penei Sewell immediately. This was an imperative for the Lions to upgrade given that this has been the strength of their offense over the past few years when they have been at their best. High floor, high upside pick for Detroit at a position of need."
Pick no. 44: Derrick Moore, EDGE, Michigan:
"The Lions have desperately needed some young talent to pair with defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, and Detroit is hoping it has found the answer. Like Hutchinson, Moore is a former Wolverine who can turn the corner and give defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard an answer if Hutchinson is double-teamed."
The Athletic: A
"Detroit moved up six spots and jumped Moore’s former college defensive coordinator, new Ravens head coach Jesse Minter, to snag the explosive, long-armed edge rusher. This pick makes so much sense — Moore will add juice to a defensive front that needed someone to win one-on-ones opposite Aidan Hutchinson."
Pick no. 118: Jimmy Rolder, LB, Michigan:
"Rolder needs to iron out his overaggressive tendencies, but he plays with ascending instincts and the reactive athleticism to make plays in the NFL. If healthy, he will be an immediate contributor on special teams and offer the potential to become a weakside starter."
Pick no. 157: Keith Abney II, DB, Arizona State
"The Lions address another need with this pick while also securing depth. This time, they added another talented player to the secondary in Abney, who was a two-year starter at Arizona State. His 20 pass breakups since the start of 2024 were also the most in Big 12 and tied for the fourth-most among Power Conference players in that time. He fits the culture of Detroit's defense with his physical style and inside/outside versatility. He was a 2025 first-team All-Big 12 selection who allowed zero touchdowns on 72 targets faced last season."
Pick no. 168 (via BUF): Kendrick Law, WR, Kentucky
"He has strong hands to make contested grabs and breaks tackles on a regular basis with the ball in his hands. Law’s special-teams background at Alabama helps but might not be enough for him to stick on a roster."
Pick no. 205: Skylar Gill-Howard, DT, Texas Tech
"Gill-Howard competes with the right mindset and energy, which helps him compensate for any shortcomings. He will need the right fit to find a permanent spot but projects as a rotational three-technique."
Pick no. 222: Tyre West, DT, Tennessee
"With the final pick, the Lions selected their second edge of the three-day event. The Tennessee product participated in the 2026 Senior Bowl after totaling 17 pressures in each of his last two seasons. Detroit continues to strengthen its defense with options to help Hutchinson on the edge. The Lions ranked 26th in the NFL in pass rush win rate season (32%) and are looking to win now with all the new draftees."
Updated Lions depth chart
Offense
QB: Jared Goff, Teddy Bridgewater
RB: Jahmyr Gibbs, Isiah Pacheco, Sione Vaki, Jacob Saylors
WR: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Isaac TeSlaa, Greg Dortch, Dominic Lovett, Tom Kennedy, Malik Cunningham, Jackson Meeks, Kendrick Law
TE: Sam LaPorta, Brock Wright, Tyler Conklin, Zach Horton
LT: Penei Sewell, Devin Cochran
LG: Christian Mahogany, Ben Bartch, Juice Scruggs
C: Cade Mays, Michael Niese, Seth McLaughlin
RG: Tate Ratledge, Miles Frazier, Colby Sordsal
RT: Blake Miller, Larry Borom, Giovanni Manu, Mason Miller
Detroit doesn't have too many holes to fill on offense, although adding a right tackle feels crucial for their success on the ground in 2026. Jared Goff isn't getting any younger, either, so ensuring they hit on a right tackle can help along the Lions' plan of shifting Penei Sewell over to Goff's blind side.
They could also use some extra help along their offensive line outside of tackle, such as through adding competition to their left guard room and creating more depth at center. Otherwise, their running back room, wide receiver room, and tight end room feel fairly set.
Defense
LDE: Aidan Hutchinson, Tyler Lacy, Payton Turner,
LDT: Alim McNeill, Tyleik Williams, Mekhi Wingo
RDT: Levi Onwuzurike, Chris Smith, Myles Adams, Tyre West, Skylar Gill-Howard
RDE: Derrick Moore, D.J. Wonnum, Trevor Nowaske, Ahmed Hassanein
WLB: Derrick Barnes, Damone Clark, Jimmy Rolder
MLB: Jack Campbell
SLB: Malcolm Rodriguez
LCB: D.J. Reed, Rock Ya-Sin
SS: Brian Branch, Avonte Maddox, Dan Jackson
FS: Kerby Joseph, Chuck Clark, Thomas Harper, Loren Strickland
RCB: Terrion Arnold, Nick Whiteside, Khalil Dorsey
NB: Roger McCreary, Christian Izien, Keith Abney II, Ennis Rakestraw Jr.
The Lions could use some help at edge rusher, in addition to reinforcements in their safety room. A swing on a decent cornerback also couldn't hurt, especially after another down year for their secondary overall. Injuries have a ton to do with that fall-off, but Brian Branch will be out for some games after tearing his Achilles so late in the year.
Defensive tackle is also an underrated need with the departures of Roy Lopez and D.J. Reader this offseason. Adding depth behind such an injury-riddled position for the Lions would be good work from Holmes.
NFC North rival picks
Green Bay Packers: Pick no. 52, 84, 120, 153, 160, 201, 236, 255
Chicago Bears: Pick no. 25, 57, 60, 89, 129, 239, 241
Minnesota Vikings: Pick no. 18, 49, 82, 97, 163, 196, 234, 235, 244
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