NFL Draft 2026: If Not Offensive Line or Defensive End at 17, then What?

Information sourced from: DLP Consensus Draft Board, DLP Podcasts, NFL Mock Draft DB, Jimmy Liao MD on X

We are now just two days and two hours from round one of the 2026 NFL draft. I’m sure by now commissioner Goodell is practicing his smile for when people boo him. I’m sure by now Brad Holmes is finishing the final touches on his draft board, and is hoping that luck and data will align to provide the Lions with the right player. We have talked a lot about offensive tackles and defensive ends in round one, but what happens if the right player doesn’t fall to the Lions? Well there are plenty of other options that may interest the Lions at pick seventeen, lets explore a few.

Jermod Mccoy - CB - Tennessee

DLP Consensus Draft Board Rank: 15

NFL Mock Draft DB Board Rank: 15

Jermod Mccoy is a good cornerback. There is no question about his ability to play. I would describe him as a smooth corner with good instincts. However, the biggest problem is the news around his knee as of late. Dr. Jimmy Liao of Detroit Lions Morning Rounds shared the news that Mccoy has had a bone plug put in to replace damaged cartilage in his knee. Jeff Risdon of Detroit Lions Podcast said words like “degenerative” are being thrown around in regards to Mccoy’s knee. From my perspective the Lions don’t need another potentially often injured player and that’s the end of the conversation. Thus I am pass due to the risk. However, the Lions may feel differently.

Kenyon Sadiq - TE - Oregon

DLP Consensus Draft Board Rank: 17

NFL Mock Draft DB Board Rank: 17

Kenyon Sadiq can catch the football, there are no questions about that. This may be very appealing to the Lions with the questions around Sam Laporta’s back and how critical it is for the Lions to be able to continue to utilize the tight end position even when Laporta is down (think back to last year). There are questions around Sadiq’s ability to block, but I chock this up to something that can be coached. The question is how do the Lions feel about him? While I would not be thrilled with the prospect of taking a tight end at seventeen, It also isn’t the worst case scenario.

Dillion Thieneman - S - Oregon

DLP Consensus Draft Board Rank: 18

NFL Mock Draft DB Board Rank: 18

Ok, bear with me here. I know we don’t want to see a safety in the first round. There are people out there who say that the position never necessitates a first round pick. However, Thieneman is quite the player. He can come up and play the run. He can play the ball hawk. He can cover. I have seen some criticisms that he is a bit stiff in the hips, but I don’t know that I agree. Add in the questions around safety this year and if this was the pick in round one, I would be completely ok with it and on board.

Don’t put it past Brad Holmes to leave all of the national media scratching their heads. I remember when the Lions traded up to pick Jahmyr Gibbs at twelve. Then they picked Jack Campbell at eighteen. Then Laporta at thirty four, and finally Brian Branch at forty five. Those guys have all become starters, and not just starters but the ultimate core of this team. Brad has a plan, you may not like it, I may not like it, but he has earned the right to see it through.