The NFL season is still months away, but you’d never know it by the news that’s consistently breaking about the Detroit Lions and the other teams in the league. It’s a busy time for news, of course, because the 2026 NFL draft starts on Thursday, April 23, and that’s where teams will solidify their rosters going into the 2026-27 season.
As the draft draws closer, the Detroit Lions are being linked to one college player on a regular basis. While general manager Brad Holmes hasn’t let onto who he’ll select with the team’s first-round No. 17 pick, when one name keeps emerging, that’s a sign the Lions could lean to this player.
That player is Kadyn Proctor, an offensive tackle out of Alabama. In Fox Sports’ Monday, April 20 NFL draft projection, lead college football analyst Joel Klatt has the Lions taking Proctor at No. 17, as do a lot of mocks. But, he may not be the best choice.
Detroit Lions Told They’re Making a Mistake With Tackle Choice
Proctor is projected to go in the first round of the draft, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Lions were to take him. As Klatt describes, “former Lions left tackle Taylor Decker was released earlier this offseason, and we know that this is a team that has heavily relied on their offensive line for success in the past.”
He adds, “I’ve been told that Kadyn Proctor won’t make it past the Lions at No. 17. The belief has been that right tackle Penei Sewell will move to left tackle in 2026.” It’s worth noting that “drafting Proctor means the Lions can keep Sewell at the position he has earned three All-Pro nods at, while having Proctor play left tackle.”
However, over at FanSided’s 2026 Big Board, draft analyst Mike Luciano isn’t so sure about the player. He has Proctor named the No. 42 draft prospect, meaning Detroit would make a mistake taking him at No. 17.
“Proctor’s tape is not what you want to see from a five-star recruit with first-round hype due to his whiffs against speedier edge rushers,” Luciano says in the piece. “Proctor is a lottery ticket that only should be purchased by teams with good offensive line coaches.”
On the positive side, Luciano adds, “If he hits, Proctor’s mammoth size and ability to wash defenders out of plays make him someone who could challenge for All-Pro teams at his peak.”
Detroit Lions Should Seriously Rethink Drafting Player at No. 17
Over at ESPN, Jordan Reid has Proctor going down at No. 28, being selected by the Houston Texans.
“There are questions about Proctor’s conditioning and whether he fits better as a tackle or a guard in the NFL,” he states in the story, “but the Texans need help up front after finishing last in run block win rate and 30th in pass block win rate last season.”
The Detroit Lions’ No. 17 selection is just too important to leave anything to chance. With the questions surrounding Proctor and uncertainty with where his value is in the draft class, the Lions should play it safe and look for a different player early in the draft.
Lions Told They’re Making a Mistake With Expected Draft Decision