2026 NFL Draft Thread

[Jason_R]

I’m not trying to will this into existence BTW, but you have Charlie Campbell and Daniel Jeremiah both reporting that Detroit is eyeing Proctor. 

Most mocks have Proctor going  in the mid-20s. 

[MichiganCardinal]

Maybe they love Proctor.

Maybe they don't love Proctor, but know that he'll probably be there at #17 and would prefer OT-needy teams drafting after them think they love Proctor.

Releasing tidbits to the media is an art form.

[Dan Gilmore]

With so many OTs that are graded well this year, I wonder what the odds of a small trade back scenario are. By pick 16 they will know how many OTs are left and may decide they can still get one, along with an extra later pick. Do they have discussions with other teams ahead of the draft to see how it might work? Obviously the further back you drop, the more risk that you miss out on your guys.

[1984Echoes]

If they truly are in love with Proctor, then...

1) He needs to be committed to maintaining his weight at less than 350. Are/ will the Lions bought into this?

2) He has inconsistencies due to excess weight; IMO, this will always be a career-long worry.

3) He can be burned by speed/ quick-changes... he's not a fast-twitch guy/ his weight is great for momentum (rush-blocking... like a runaway freight train); not so good at making quick adjustments to a man with a pass-rush-plan.

I'm not sold on this player. And I'm not sold on the Lions interest in him either, despite Campbell and Jeremiah reporting their interest. But what do I know... maybe?

Just my 2 cents.

[Tenacious D]

Have the Lions ever drafted a player that was frequently mocked to their pick (or that they were allegedly interested in)?

Genuinely asking because I don’t know.

[Jason_R]

10 minutes ago, Tenacious D said:

Have the Lions ever drafted a player that was frequently mocked to their pick (or that they were allegedly interested in)?

Genuinely asking because I don’t know.

Sewell and Hutchinson were pretty obvious. Charlie Campbell had them high on Gibbs. I feel like in 2024 a lot of the buzz was with Quinyon Mitchell who went two picks early and left them with Arnold. I think most people were matching Detroit with defensive ends last year but they picked Tyleik Williams. The draft is a crap shoot and Brad has a history of surprising people. 

[Mr.TaterSalad]

21 hours ago, 1984Echoes said:

If they truly are in love with Proctor, then...

1) He needs to be committed to maintaining his weight at less than 350. Are/ will the Lions bought into this?

2) He has inconsistencies due to excess weight; IMO, this will always be a career-long worry.

3) He can be burned by speed/ quick-changes... he's not a fast-twitch guy/ his weight is great for momentum (rush-blocking... like a runaway freight train); not so good at making quick adjustments to a man with a pass-rush-plan.

I'm not sold on this player. And I'm not sold on the Lions interest in him either, despite Campbell and Jeremiah reporting their interest. But what do I know... maybe?

Just my 2 cents.

Agreed with all of this. I have offensive line prospects that I prefer over Proctor, but who am I. I like Blake Miller, Monroe Freeling, and Caleb Lomu as much or more than Proctor. Miller and Freeling both project as true tackles in the NFL, whereas Proctor is a tackle/guard combo. I also get Aaon Gibson flashbacks with Proctor. I know it's not fair or right to compare a guy to someone who played 25 years ago in a different regime. But as you said, the weight is going to be a factor throughout his career. The last time a Lions regime took a gamble on a jumbo offensive lineman it failed miserably with Gibson.

[1984Echoes]

1 hour ago, Tenacious D said:

Have the Lions ever drafted a player that was frequently mocked to their pick (or that they were allegedly interested in)? Genuinely asking because I don’t know.

I don't know how much Holmes has participated in sending out smoke screens... trying to get teams "off the scent" of who their actual target is... so to speak...

But:

1 hour ago, Jason_R said:

Sewell and Hutchinson were pretty obvious. Charlie Campbell had them high on Gibbs. I feel like in 2024 a lot of the buzz was with Quinyon Mitchell who went two picks early and left them with Arnold...

I also was much. much higher on Quinyon Mitchell in that draft.

If they truly wanted Mitchell... and word got out of their interest in him so Philly jumped Detroit in the 1st round to steal him...

I would consider that a big loss. IMO. And Holmes, despite all the "We really wanted Arnold", if he TRULY had Mitchell higher... then rightfully should be both pissed, and scarred by losing out on his player due to rumors of their heavy interest.

I'm just going to WAG here...

Holmes is NOT in love with Proctor, yes Tater, visions of Aaron Gibson scare me too...

Or at least I hope not, and this is just a smoke screen to hide who they truly have their top interest in...

I also like Freeling, Lomu and Miller... a LOT. I think all 3 are 10 year guys at OT. I won't hazard a guess as to which one is Brad's favorite; but I believe all 3 are high character/ locker room leader types/ and athletic enough to be a top 10-15 OT in the NFL (well, OK, we'll see about all 3 of them getting to that level...). So... One more WAG: I think it's one of THESE guys that the Lions love, and they are doing their best to not give away the cards that they are holding in their hand. One of those cards is Ace High, IMO.

Just my 2 cents.

[Stanley70]

I remember almost everyone had them in love with Devin Witherspoon. That was probably accurate since they traded out of the 6th pick after he was off the board.