NFL Draft 2026 - Detroit Lions Storylines and Bold Predictions

The draft is nearly upon us!

We stand 4 days and 3 hours away from the NFL Draft first round kickoff. To say I am excited would be an understatement. I have always enjoyed the draft, back to when the Lions weren’t as good as they are now. It was always filled (for me) with hope and optimism that this might be the year that the Lions would turn things around. This year, it is filled with a different type of hope and optimism. Hope and Optimism that the talent base of the Lions isn’t as drastically terrible as some fans think, and that with just a few key picks the Lions can set themselves up to be in NFC contention once again. Let’s dig in on some of the key storylines for the 2026 draft, and my bold predictions on how they will play out!

What position will the Lions take in the first round, and could they obtain another first round pick due to talent at positions of need being available?

The consensus around the Lions community is that their top two needs right now are edge and offensive tackle. Given there are a lot of good first round edges AND offensive tackles, could the Lions package their second round pick with future picks and/or players to hop back into the first round?
Bold Prediction: I do not think the Lions will move back up into the first round. However, I think they could move around in the first round to get their guy. I also think they could package their pair of fourths to perhaps move up into the third round.

Will Brad Holmes really pick “Best Player Available” or will he prioritize roster needs?

If you have listened to any of the Brad Holmes pressers, you have heard him repeatedly state that he is going to pick the best player available. However, he has drafted for need previously. Consider Tate Ratledge & Tyliek Williams. Both were in positions of need. Perhaps they were his best player available as well.

Bold Prediction: I have noticed a pretty good pattern of Brad Holmes drafting for need (likely influenced by the best player available as well) in the first round. I expect this year will be no different and the Lions will take an edge or offensive tackle, even if their best player available is a safety.

Borom or bust? Will the Lions forgo taking an offensive tackle on the first day of the draft?

Both Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes have been very vocal about their belief in Borom at right tackle. Is it possible the Lions wait until day two, or even riskier day three, to take an offensive tackle? There are starting capable tackles on day two that could immediately slot in at right tackle and provide a potential upgrade over Borom.

Bold Prediction: I fully expect the Lions to take an offensive lineman on day one of the draft who will be slotted in at one of their tackle positions.

How much will Brad Holmes move around in the draft?

If we know anything, it’s that Brad Holmes is not afraid to go get his players in the draft. However there are a couple holes in the roster that some would consider must fill. Will we see Brad continue to go snatch his players and trade away picks, or will he stand pat this year and pick where they are at?

Bold Prediction: Given that this draft appears to be very front heavy for a number of positions, I fully expect Brad to be wheeling and dealing with picks, and even potentially players (we can’t pay all of our high end players easily). I honestly think this could be the approach of many teams, and it could lead to a very fun first few rounds, and a more dull end to the draft.

What position will Brad Holmes’ high upside pick be this year? (Akin to Isaac TeSlaa and Giovanni Manu)

Brad loves to take flyers with mid to late round picks on high athleticism, low production, raw players. Isaac TeSlaa seems as though he is trending towards success, where Giovanni Manu looks like his ceiling is a Dan Skipper replacement. What position will Brad use this type of pick on?

Bold Prediction: I expect Brad to spend a pick this year (and take a flyer) on a high athleticism defensive tackle to help in the middle of the line, at a low cost but with high upside. Perhaps someone along the lines of David Gusta out of Kentucky (I am not suggesting him for the Lions, he is just an example).

Are you excited? I surely am, and we will see how my predictions hold up! Thanks for reading throughout my draft coverage, and I am not done yet, Stay tuned for reaction posts and more. As always, let’s go Lions!