The Detroit Lions are inching closer and closer to the 2026 NFL draft, which is set for April 23 through 25 in Pittsburgh, but they’re already getting hit with criticism about their philosophy for the event.
On Monday, April 13, Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes told reporters that his plan is to take the best available player when the Lions’ No. 17 pick comes up as opposed to trying to fill a gap in the lineup. That may sound like a reasonable idea, but looking at the latest mock drafts, the NFL analysts and experts just don’t agree.
“You never want to feel that way when you select a player,” Holmes told reporters. “You pass up a really good player that you liked even more but there is a question mark on your roster so you just go ahead and you get that player that you weren’t as excited about. I know for me, it’s hard to sleep at night when you do that.”
But, there’s a general consensus in these mocks that the Detroit Lions should go with a tackle or edge early in the draft. So, they simply don’t agree with the plan to go with the best player that’s available when the team’s name is called.
NFL Mock Drafts Have the Detroit Lions Going with an Edge, Not the Best Available Player, for Pick No. 17
At the NFL Spin Zone, Lou Scataglia has the Detroit Lions taking tackle Blake Miller at 17th overall and edge Malachi Lawrence at 50th overall.
“The idea of Blake Miller being on the Lions is so fun to me,” he says in the feature. “He did not miss a college start and started all but one game on the right side. He’s got the length to thrive at tackle and is a true ironman.”
He adds, “Miller’s durability would fit right in with the Lions, and this would seamlessly allow the team to feel comfortable kicking Penei Sewell over to left tackle permanently. Miller might be a fringe round one prospect to come, as this seems to be a deeper class at tackle, but I simply might be higher on him than most.”
Detroit Lions Have a ‘Desperate’ Need at Tackle
Over at CBS Sports, Mike Renner also has the Detroit Lions going with a tackle and edge combination. He has them picking tackle Monroe Freeling at 17th overall and edge Dani Dennis-Sutton at 50th overall.
“The Lions’ need at tackle is desperate enough to take whoever falls at 17,” he states. “Fortunately, it’s one of the strongest positions in the class. Freeling improved significantly over last season and backed it up with a rare combine performance.”
I have to agree with both of these writers. When the Detroit Lions’ No. 17 pick pops up, Holmes would be wise to grab a tackle or even edge. Can you imagine if the best available player at No. 17 is a quarterback? This idea of just taking the strongest player when the Lions’ name comes up sounds good, in theory, but in practice, it could fall short.
Lions Get Clear Warning Ahead of 2026 NFL Draft