As one of the many draft selections in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions went with help on the defensive side of the ball when they selected Skyler Gill-Howard in the sixth round (204th overall) out of Texas Tech.
He arrives in the Motor City having originally started his collegiate career at Northern Illinois as a linebacker before gaining 50 lbs and transitioning into a defensive lineman, later amassing 52 tackles and five sacks.
However, the selection of Gill-Howard could mean the end of the line for another Lions defensive tackle.
Is This It For Detroit Lions Defensive Tackle Mekhi Wingo?
The selection of Gill-Howard could signal that the job of defensive tackle Mekhi Wingo is in danger, according to Sports Illustrated’s Vito Chirco:
“With the addition of Gill-Howard, fellow defensive lineman Mekhi Wingo’s roster spot could be in jeopardy for the 2026 season,” Chirco wrote.
“Wingo has failed to make much of an impact since being selected by the Lions with their first-of-two sixth-round selections in 2024. The LSU product logged snaps in 11 games as a rookie, with his season ending prematurely after he suffered a torn meniscus on Thanksgiving vs. the Chicago Bears.”
The sentiment was also shared by Jeremy Reisman of Pride of Detroit, who believes that the upcoming season is “now or never” for Wingo.
“Wingo has had two years to make an impact on the Lions roster, and it appears Detroit is trying to light a fire underneath him,” Reisman wrote. “Wingo has logged just 235 snaps over two season—only 59 last year—and now he has direct competition with Gill-Howard possessing many of the same traits.
“The job won’t automatically go to the rookie, but the pressure is now on Wingo to perform. It’s now or never for the third-year defensive tackle.”
Like Gill-Howard, Wingo was also taken in the sixth round of the NFL Draft, albeit in 2024 out of LSU, where he earned second team All-SEC selection honors while also being named a third-team All-American.
So far in his NFL career, he’s amassed 12 tackles.
The Lions Believe Skyler Gill-Howard Makes Up For Being Undersized With His Speed
Lions GM Brad Holmes, who selected Gill-Howard, noted that while he won’t be the biggest athlete on the field, he makes up for it in speed instinct.
“Gill-Howard, obviously, came from Northern Illinois, and then when he came here (Texas Tech), he showed pretty consistent tape in terms of his motor. He’s 100 miles per hour,” Holmes said. “He’s not the biggest guy, but he’s quick, he’s relentless, he’s instinctive, and he can win quick.”
Detroit Lions beat writer Tim Twentyman, who covers the club for their official website, offered his take on the selection of Gill-Howard and, like Holmes, noted his quickness also helps make up for being undersized.
“Talk about a self-made player who went from Division II walk-on to a scout-team linebacker at Northern Illinois before gaining 50 pounds and transitioning to defensive tackle for the Huskies,” Twentyman wrote. “He’s a bit undersized but makes up for it with his quickness, burst and pass-rush ability. He’ll have a chance to compete for a role along the interior with maybe a little more pass-rush juice.”
Lions Draft Pick’s Job Reportedly Is In Danger