2026 NFL Draft Thread

[RatkoVarda]

36 minutes ago, MichiganCardinal said:

Holmes said it would be "irresponsible" to depend on Manu to be the starting LT next season.

can Manu at least replace Skipper?

[MichiganCardinal]

3 minutes ago, RatkoVarda said:

can Manu at least replace Skipper?

The man, the myth, the legend that is Dan Skipper? Irreplaceable.

But maybe. I don't see why he couldn't be a useful OL6 in jumbo packages. Probably lacks the soft hands to catch the passes though.

Edited January 26 by MichiganCardinal

[MichiganCardinal]

News from Charlie Campbell who has nailed some Lions info in the past (most notably correctly predicting Gibbs and Jack Campbell to the Lions). Linking us to Keldric Faulk out of Auburn.

Quote

Since coming to the Detroit Lions, general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell have built their “grit” culture through the NFL Draft. In 2023, the media foolishly criticized their draft class for moving down to take running back Jahmyr Gibbs in the top 12 and linebacker Jack Campbell later in the top 20. They added tight end Sam LaPorta and safety Brian Branch in the second round. I awarded the Lions the best draft class in the league that year, and months later, that group helped Detroit come very close to getting into the Super Bowl. The Lions look for specific kinds of players from a talent perspective, but also players that fit their culture. One 2026 NFL Draft prospect that fits their culture and what they want on the field is Auburn defensive end Keldric Faulk. In speaking to team sources, the Lions really like Faulk, and he is in play for their first-round pick at 17th overall.

For the Lions’ defensive scheme, they like big defensive ends that are strong and have length at the point of attack. At 6-foot-6, 276 pounds, Faulk has the size to set the edge and is a tough run defender at the point of attack. Faulk was a beast for Auburn in 2024, with a big-time presence behind the line of scrimmage. He had seven sacks, 45 tackles, and one forced fumble. In 2025, Faulk had 29 tackles and two sacks, but Auburn hurt his production by having him play more two-gap. Sources say that Faulk is a great kid, a hard worker, and loves football. From his talent and character, Faulk is a great fit for Detroit.

While Faulk fits the Lions well, sources say Detroit has a lot of moving parts. Veteran left tackle Taylor Decker could retire, but even if he returns, looking towards the future, left tackle to protect the blindside of Jared Goff is of high importance. Detroit also needs to improve the interior of the offensive line. The Lions could also address defensive end in free agency to prompt them to go another route in the draft. Faulk also could rise in the lead-up to the draft and may not make it to the Lions’ pick. In my latest 2026 NFL Mock Draft, I have one of these scenarios playing out. However, team sources say the Lions really like Faulk and he is in play for their first-round pick.

 

[Jason_R]

Decker is back. If they didn’t think he was capable of making it through the season they would have cut him. I feel OK about him, great about Sewell, very good about Ratledge and good about Mahogany/Frazier. Draft/sign/trade for a center, sign a backup to Decker. Then use your first for a bookend for Hutch like Faulk.

[MichiganCardinal]

On 1/13/2026 at 10:46 AM, MichiganCardinal said:

Faulk would be an excellent cultural and schematic fit. He's everything Josh Paschal was supposed to be and then some. Faulk is an absolute monster in stuffing the run and is one of the hardest workers you will find in the college game. On paper a starting defensive front of Hutch-McNeill-Williams-Faulk should realistically develop into the best run defense in the league.

I would venture to say that he has more pass rushing chops than his stats would suggest. Auburn lined him up as a 2-gap in a 3-4 base, between the guard and tackle, and allowed him to just feast on the run. Which is great, unless you're an edge rusher looking for millions of dollars in first round money and need sacks to do so. In an NFL nickel base defense, I wouldn't expect him to jump off the page in 2026 with sack numbers, but I think he could develop into a guy that by 2027 or 2028 can also line up on the edge on 3rd and long and win a one-on-one against a tackle, getting after the QB. As it is though, he's more of a IDLman that will collapse the pocket on the interior.

I thought I had said something to this effect. But now someone with a website said it while citing “sources.”

Objectively Faulk is a great fit. Whether he’s there at #17 and makes sense is a different story. If a guy like Francis Mauigoa falls into their lap it’s hard to pass on a glaring 2027 need at OT.

[Hongbit]

 

[Nate7474]

5 minutes ago, Hongbit said:

 

He’s been one of my favorite players to take in the mock draft simulators when available. I think he will be great at the next level. 

[RatkoVarda]

13 hours ago, Nate7474 said:

He’s been one of my favorite players to take in the mock draft simulators when available. I think he will be great at the next level. 

unlike most teams that use 4/2/5 defensive lineup, Lions go with a lot of traditional 4/3/4

if you want to sometimes (or fulltime) move to a 4/2/5, having Campbell and Styles at LB seems like a great idea

[MichiganCardinal]

9 minutes ago, RatkoVarda said:

unlike most teams that use 4/2/5 defensive lineup, Lions go with a lot of traditional 4/3/4

if you want to sometimes (or fulltime) move to a 4/2/5, having Campbell and Styles at LB seems like a great idea

There’s probably some chicken and egg debate about the defensive lineups from last year. Especially after Branch, Joseph, Reed, and Arnold were all hurt, a nickel defense meant playing a lot of backup DBs around Amik, while Barnes sat on the bench.

Whereas a more traditional 4-3 meant you had one less practice squad DB out there, with Barnes, Campbell, and Anzalone at linebacker (any of whom could drop back in man coverage if called upon). Of course the latter is preferable. A 4-3 for the 2025 Lions just meant having your best players out there.

That’s not to say you’re wrong about Styles. There’s a lot to like and if he’s the best player on the board they may take him.

[1984Echoes]

19 hours ago, Nate7474 said:

He’s been one of my favorite players to take in the mock draft simulators when available. I think he will be great at the next level. 

I snagged him once in a mock...

But I think he's a draft "riser" and will end up in the top 10 so we'd have to move up to get him.

IMO.

I'm sticking with 1st and 2nd round = OT and Edge for now...

I think it's Faulk that will slide down to us...

(All the speed rushers will "rise" and Faulk as the stodgy run-edge-setter will be the guy that falls to us: just a WAG).

 

 

Edited yesterday at 09:32 PM by 1984Echoes

[Nate7474]

1 hour ago, 1984Echoes said:

I snagged him once in a mock...

But I think he's a draft "riser" and will end up in the top 10 so we'd have to move up to get him.

IMO.

I'm sticking with 1st and 2nd round = OT and Edge for now...

I think it's Faulk that will slide down to us...

(All the speed rushers will "rise" and Faulk as the stodgy run-edge-setter will be the guy that falls to us: just a WAG).

 

 

I agree that he will be a riser. I also agree on Faulk being a target as he is exactly what they have said what they want in a DE. Big body who sets the edge and stops the run game first. 

[1984Echoes]

2 hours ago, Nate7474 said:

I agree that he will be a riser. I also agree on Faulk being a target as he is exactly what they have said what they want in a DE. Big body who sets the edge and stops the run game first. 

And lives and breathes football, a leader in the clubhouse, do anything for his coach and team (team first guy...).

I think he is a Brad Holmes Model 1A.