The 2026 season is shaping up as a make-or-break year for the Detroit Lions. All eyes are going to be on Brad Holmes to work his magic at the NFL Draft.

Three Early Round Draft Options For the Detroit Lions

The Lions have the 17th pick of the 2026 NFL Draft and the 50th selection in the second round. However, lacking a third-round pick, Detroit’s next opportunity isn’t until the fourth round with number 118. With major holes in the offensive line roster, Holmes must hit a bullseye with his first and second round targets.  

Detroit Lions First Round Draft Selection

First of all, let’s address the rumor that Holmes will draft an EDGE in the first round. It’s unlikely to happen. It doesn’t make financial sense for the Lions to draft one of the league’s most highly compensated positions in the first round.  

First-round draft picks are compensated at a much higher rate than rounds 2-7. In addition to the anticipated fully guaranteed contract, first-rounders receive higher signing bonuses plus the guaranteed fifth-year option. Based on the higher market value of the position, signing an EDGE can become a very expensive commitment for a team. 

While drafting EDGE Akheem Mesidor or Cashius Howell would initially be cheaper than signing free agents Maxx Crosby or Trey Hendrickson ($20-$25 million per year), the longer-term implications could differ dramatically once the fifth-year option is exercised. 

Recent contract extensions for Myles Garrett and Aidan Hutchinson, plus the Green Bay Packers’ acquisition of Micah Parsons, have upended the EDGE market. Consequently, it will be significantly more costly to retain a first-round EDGE over another position, such as an offensive lineman.  

1st-Round Draft Prospects for the Detroit Lions:

One of the biggest offensive line issues is the uncertainty at center. With the sudden retirement of Frank Ragnow, the Lions plugged in veteran guard Graham Glasgow to replace him. While Glasgow did an admirable job transitioning to an unfamiliar role, by the end of the season, injuries took a toll. Now, as the 10-year veteran contemplates retirement, the Lions could find themselves without an experienced center. 

Second-year rookie Tate Ratledge is an option. As a rookie guard on a seriously depleted offensive line, he was terrific, earning a 70.3 PFF grade with a 73.5 run-block grade. However, it makes more sense for Ratledge to remain at right guard and rebuild the line around him. 

Plus, if the Lions retain Al-Quadin Muhammad, there’s no need to spend first-round draft capital on an EDGE.   

Jake Slaughter, Center (Florida)

The best option for the Lions’ first-round pick would be selecting a talented center who will become an immediate starter. Florida’s 6’5” 303 lb. Jake Slaughter has been described as the “Best Center in America.” He’s ranked second in the 2026 Draft behind Auburn’s Connor Lew. However, Lew’s still recovering from ACL surgery in October. He faces a substantial rehabilitation that will impact the 2026 offseason and early pre-season. 

Described by NFLdraftbuzz.com as a “plug and play starter, Slaughter should anchor a team’s offensive line for a decade if he stays healthy.” Gifted with exceptional core strength, he is a battle-tested pass blocker who allowed only one sack in over 800 snaps. A former three-star recruit, Slaughter earned an 87.1 pass blocking grade from PFF.com. He possesses the demeanor and high football IQ required by the position to read defenses, make calls, and quickly adjust as needed.

Named to the AP All-American First Team, PFF All-American First Team, and AP All-SEC First Team recognition, Slaughter is a well-respected team captain at Florida and a finalist for the Rimington Trophy. Admittedly, his run-block game needs improvement, but Slaughter offers a solid option if Glasgow retires. If the veteran does return, the Lions have the luxury of playing Glasgow and mentoring Slaughter. 

Projected Draft Ranking: Late first or early second round. 

The challenge for the Lions here is that Slaughter isn’t expected to go off the board until late first round. Rather than be accused of “overreaching” for Slaughter, the ideal scenario would be for Holmes to accept a trade-down offer in exchange for the 17th pick and select him late in the first round.  

Kaydn Proctor, Offensive Tackle (Alabama)

With Francis Mauigoa and Spencer Fano off the board by the time the 17th pick is up, Alabama’s Kaydn Proctor emerges as a very solid choice for Detroit. Over the years, the Lions have done extremely well with Alabama prospects. Brian Branch, Jahmyr Gibbs, Jameson Williams, and Terrion Arnold are all Alabama products. Drafting a behemoth 6’7″ 360 lb. offensive tackle might be another home run for Detroit.  

Earning First-Team All-SEC honors as the highest-graded pass protector in the conference, Proctor’s immense strength and ability to squat 815 lbs., bench press 535, and power clean 405 lbs. placed him second on Bruce Feldman’s 2025 Freaks List. However, Proctor is far more than just an immovable brick anchor for the offensive line. He is a gifted athlete who transcends his size with elite mobility. In the recent game against Georgia, Proctor demonstrated his pass-catching ability, sprinting 11 yards to set up a 2-yard game-winning touchdown.

Finally, another factor that makes Proctor an ideal draft prospect for Detroit is his mental toughness. Despite tearing his labrum in the season opener, Proctor started all 12 games and finished the 2025 year as a consensus All-American. Playing through adversity and injury is the type of gritty player the Lions target.    

Projected Draft Ranking: First round. 

Several of the published mock drafts, including Dane Brugler of The Athletic, already have Proctor going to the Lions at number 17.

Logan Jones, Center (Iowa)

One of the more intriguing projected Day Two selections is Iowa’s Logan Jones.  A 6’3” 302 lb. center from Council Bluffs, Iowa, Jones played defense and was a four-star recruit out of high school. Following an injury-shortened first two seasons as a defensive lineman at Iowa, Jones was asked to transition to center to offset the loss of Tyler Linderbaum to the NFL. 

The move was a huge career boost for Jones, who dominated as the offensive line anchor over the next two years. There is much to like about Jones, who embodies all the top qualities of Slaughter and Proctor but in a projected second-round pick. According to NFLdradftbuzz.com, he exhibits elite athleticism and speed for the position. Earning First-Team All-Big Ten honors, he boasts an outstanding pass-block grade of 90.2 from PFF.com. 

With Jones, the Hawkeyes won the Joe Moore Award as the nation’s top offensive line. A locker room leader, he was voted captain and topped off his senior year by winning the coveted Rimington Trophy. Like Slaughter, he allowed only one sack in the 38 games he started at center. Joining Proctor, his strength and athleticism (700 lb. squat and 425 bench press) landed him at number 7 on Bruce Feldman’s 2025 Freaks List. Similar to the connection between Proctor and the Lions’ Alabama alums, Detroit has two Hawkeyes in Jack Campbell and Sam LaPorta. Noted for his durability, leadership, and outstanding work ethic, Jones would be an ideal fit for Detroit. 

Projected Draft Ranking: Second round.

Hopefully, Jones will still be on the board when the Lions pick at number 50.  

Disclaimer: The above options are based upon projected draft positions and coincide with the Lions’ 1st-2nd round draft selections. These projections are before the NFL Combine, which may alter the anticipated draft positions.