We can finally put the debates to rest: the Detroit Lions took an offensive tackle, and not an edge rusher, with pick no. 17 in this year's draft.
But, they still need to take the latter at some point, and they're next up at 50th overall on Day 2 of the draft. Will they still avoid snagging a pass rusher, though, or will they begin to lock in on their "best player available" mentality for this 2nd round pick?
Only time will tell, but it does feel obvious based on Detroit's remaining needs that their next pick will be the best available defender to them at 50th overall. And, there are plenty of excellent defenders set to hit the market once Day 2 kicks off.
Lions' next pick is obvious after Blake Miller selection
It was known pre-draft that one of the shallower groups in this year's class was offensive tackle, so it makes perfect sense that the Lions decided to swing on a tackle early on. Now, the focus is on finding a defender for defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard to work with, and it won't necessarily be an edge rusher.
The list of available defenders as we close the book on Day 1 is lengthy:
Defensive players still on the board after Round 1 include:
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 24, 2026
Edge Zion Young
Edge Cashius Howell
Edge T.J. Parker
DT Kayden McDonald
DT Christen Miller
LB CJ Allen
LB Anthony Hill Jr.
LB Jacob Rodriguez
CB Jermod McCoy
CB Colton Hood
S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren
S Treydan Stukes
Several of these players should be on the Lions' radar. Zion Young, Cashius Howell, and T.J. Parker are some very decent edge rushers still up for grabs, although you'd imagine that the Lions might need to trade up a bit to secure the rights to any three of these players.
Some sleeper picks for Detroit would include Jermod McCoy, Colton Hood, Treydan Stukes, CJ Allen, and Jacob Rodriguez. Linebacker is a sneaky position of need for the Lions, and Rodriguez and Allen could fill that need right away for the Lions. If they begin to regret their payday for Derrick Barnes, they could begin to see into their future snagging any one of these top available linebackers.
McCoy's had his name connected to the Lions in recent days, as he was expected to slide thanks to a concerning knee injury.
READ MORE: Lions complete remake of offensive line with Blake Miller pick
Treydan Stukes and Emmanuel McNeil-Warren would also fill a positional need for the Lions as they have some serious health concerns within their safety room.
Can Kerby Joseph ball out for an entire season with his lingering knee issue? Will Brian Branch return and look like himself? And, were the Lions' additions in free agency to their safety room more than enough to keep them afloat if injuries continue to hamper them?
Adding Stukes or McNeil-Warren would help to quell those concerns.
We'll see which way general manager Brad Holmes goes on Day 2, but it's looking very likely that the Lions leave the 2nd round with a top defensive talent, no matter what position they aim for. That'd be a successful early draft on paper.