Jahmyr Gibbs had a bit of a down year with the Detroit Lions in 2026 - although, a down year for Gibbs still looks like 1,223 rushing yards, 13 touchdowns, and five yards per carry on average. That production just so happens to be his "worst" through three seasons in the NFL and with the Lions, and it was obviously brought on by poor run-blocking up front.
That's an area that the Lions should be trying to improve in, especially with so much turnover on their offensive line already. With no Taylor Decker or Graham Glasgow in the mix for 2026, the team will need to rely on Penei Sewell, Tate Ratledge, Cade Mays, a new right tackle, and a new guard next to Ratledge in order to bring the run game back to life.
A solution to one of those holes along the line includes taking the best lineman in this year's draft, Vega Ioane. ESPN's Peter Schrager has Detroit landing the top prospect in his latest mock draft, which is supposedly based on intel the insider has received in the weeks leading up to the NFL Draft.
"I'm not sure there's a more "Dan Campbell" player in this draft than Ioane. He's 6-foot-4 and 320 pounds, and he plays with a mean streak. Ioane didn't give up a single sack and was an All-American last season at Penn State. Nice fit on the interior for the Detroit line."
ESPN has Lions snagging best lineman in the NFL Draft
While other recent intel has suggested that the Lions are very interested in Kadyn Proctor at 17th overall, that could be a smokescreen. Detroit doesn't usually clue anyone in to their draft day plans, especially since those plans might just end up involving a trade up or down to accrue more draft capital.
Proctor, additionally, isn't the most pro-ready lineman that the Lions could, or should, be targeting. He's seen as an outlier athlete thanks to his size and movement at tackle, but some have projected him to end up a guard. Why risk that move, when you could just take a sure-thing guard in Ioane?
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Again, it does feel like a forgone conclusiont that Detroit will be taking a tackle in this draft. But, there's a world where they could get Ioane, a pass rusher, and a tackle throughout the process. It all depends on how much they value the tackle spot in this year's class, especially after signing Larry Borom in free agency as well as hinting at a Penei Sewell swing to left tackle.
Ioane would be an exciting selection for Detroit, as Schrager notes, and one that opens the door wide-open for a huge Gibbs season.