The 2026 NFL draft has concluded, and the Detroit Lions have potentially filled two major holes. Going into the draft, it was clear that the Lions needed help protecting their quarterback and pressuring the opposing QB. Detroit seemingly now has two young men who can step in and immediately fulfill those needs.
The Lions also needed depth on the defensive side of the ball, as the team’s physical style of play often leads to injuries. Detroit addressed that by adding talent at all three levels.
With the Lions moving on from veteran left tackle Taylor Decker, it was a foregone conclusion that Detroit would be going offensive line at pick 17. Many felt that the selection would be tackle Monroe Freeling from Georgia, but the Lions instead went with the man from Clemson, Blake Miller. The 6’6, 317-pounder started all four years at Clemson, holding down the right tackle spot for 54 games.
Miller is known for his long arms, big hands, and quick feet. Those traits enable him to quickly get into passing sets and be successful at the second level in run blocking. The awareness during passing down has also allowed Miller to succeed with picking up twists and stunts. Miller’s footwork can be unsteady at times, but the Lions’ staff should be able to clean that up.
This selection by the Lions seems to indicate that three-time All-Pro Penei Sewell will move over to protect the blindside of quarterback Jared Goff. A player as talented as Sewell should be able to adjust to playing the LT position easily.
Detroit added another Michigan Wolverine opposite Aidan Hutchinson (also known simply as Hutch) in round two by selecting Derrick Moore. The 6’4, 255-pound pass rusher led the Wolverines with ten sacks during his senior year. Hutch had not posted on X since September, but he took to social media to share his excitement.
Moore is a strong bull rusher who is a sure tackler when it is time to finish the play. There are concerns regarding energy and urgency in the run game, but if there is any coach who can light that fire, it would be Lions head coach Dan Campbell. If Moore can stay locked, he should become a great three-down player. There will now be a pair of Michigan men coming off the edge for Detroit.
The Lions used four of their five day three picks on the defensive side of the ball. It began in the fourth round with another Wolverine, linebacker Jimmy Rolder. The 6’2, 238-pounder is the classic see-ball-get-ball LB who plays sideline to sideline and rarely misses tackles.
Detroit also acquired cornerback Keith Abney II from Arizona State in the fifth round to add depth to the often-injured Lions’ secondary. The theme of the sixth and seventh rounds was beef on the defensive line. First, 280-pound Skyler Gill-Howard out of Texas Tech, followed by the 290-pound Tyre West from Tennessee.
Before those last two defensive players, the Lions traded up for another receiving weapon in the fifth round, Kendrick Law, out of Kentucky. Law is a player who could potentially fill that Kalif Raymond role, both in the slot and on special teams as a returner.
The Lions did exactly what they needed to do in this draft. Offensive tackle and edge rusher were glaring needs, and Detroit should now have solid day one starters at both positions.
Adding additional depth defensively was critical, as the drop-off from 2024 to 2025 was at least partially due to the lack of bodies. The Lions went from the seventh-ranked scoring defense two years ago to 22nd last year. Some of that may be the result of losing Aaron Glenn, but it is difficult for any defensive coordinator to have success with multiple practice-squad players.
Now the work towards returning to the playoffs in 2026 begins. With the new acquisitions and hopefully healthy bodies, the Lions have enough talent to make another run. If the squad finishes behind the rest of the NFC North again, however, it could be time to consider significant changes. This will be the sixth year of Campbell and Goff as head coach and quarterback, respectively. Having just one conference championship appearance in that span may not be enough to justify keeping both men in the building.
If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to our newsletter here. Check out Stadium Rant Original shows on our Youtube channel and subscribe! Give our socials Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok a follow for more great content!
