Which players will become the newest members of the Detroit Lions? We know one already.
The 2026 NFL Draft takes place from Thursday, April 23, to Saturday, April 25, with all 32 teams making selections to help build their rosters for 2026 and beyond. The Lions, who finished 9-8 last season while missing the playoffs for the first time since 2022, are no exception.
The Lions selected Clemson offensive tackle Blake Miller with the No. 17 overall pick in the first round. Detroit currently has one pick on Day 2, the No. 50 overall pick in the second round, while possessing seven picks in Rounds 4-7 on Day 3.
Watch the NFL Draft on Fubo
The Lions have positional needs at offensive tackle, linebacker, defensive end and in the secondary, though Lions general manager Brad Holmes has not revealed exactly what his draft plan will be, beyond the usual “best player available.”
We’ll have all the updates for Detroit’s draft picks as they come in over the next three days.
Lions 2026 NFL Draft live updates
Dabo Swinney on Blake Miller: ‘He’s got day one ability’
Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney, who coached Lions first-round draft pick Blake Miller from 2022-25, called Miller “one of one” in a statement.
“He is big, he’s strong, he’s athletic, he’s a leader, and he’s one of the most committed guys I’ve ever coached,” he said. “I think he’s got day one ability. I think he walks in and he helps their football team the day he gets there.”
Dan Campbell on Penei Sewell moving to LT: ‘That’s what I’d like to do’
When asked in an interview with Fox 2’s Dan Miller about the possibility of Lions right tackle Penei Sewell moving to right tackle after Detroit drafted offensive tackle Blake Miller, Lions coach Dan Campbell gave a pretty clear answer.
“I’ve talked to Penei, that’s what I’d like to do, and certainly this helps,” he said.
Miller was primarily a right tackle in his four years at Clemson and might allow Sewell to move to left tackle to replace the outgoing Taylor Decker.
Dan Campbell on Blake Miller: ‘He can do it all’
Fox 2’s Dan Miller spoke with Lions coach Dan Campbell shortly after the Lions selected Blake Miller with the No. 17 overall pick, and Campbell gave a lot of praise to the Clemson offensive tackle.
“He’s played a lot of football. He’s solid. He’s steady, man, he can do it all,” he said. “There’s a way that he prepares, that he trains to get ready, but really, when you just turn on the tape, he’s a physical finisher.”
Nick Saban on Lions pick: ‘Might be the safest pick.’
Former Alabama coach had a lukewarm reaction to Detroit picking Clemson offensive lineman Blake Miller, saying, “[Miller] might be the safest pick out of all of them.”
That might be a good thing for a Lions team looking for stability on the offensive line, with Miller a top offensive line prospect entering the draft.
Lions select Blake Miller
The Lions have a new offensive lineman.
With the No. 17 overall pick, the Lions selected Clemson offensive tackle Blake Miller, first reported by The Athletic’s Jeff Howe. Miller was a four-year player at Clemson and was one of the top tackle prospects in the draft.
Here’s what our Lions insider Dave Birkett had to say about Miller back in March.
Kaydn Proctor off the board
Three top offensive tackle prospects have been taken in a four-pick stretch.
The Miami Dolphins selected Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor with the No. 12 overall pick after swapping picks with the Dallas Cowboys (who selected Ohio State safety Caleb Downs at No. 11). That takes another big-time offensive tackle prospect off the board for the Lions.
Francis Mauigoa off the board
One pick after the Cleveland Browns selected Utah offensive tackle Spencer Fano, the New York Giants selected another top offensive tackle prospect.
That would be Miami OT Francis Mauigoa, another top tackle who could have fit on Detroit’s offensive line. The Lions are now seven picks away.
Spencer Fano off the board
One of the top offensive tackles in this year’s draft is off the board.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz is reporting that Utah offensive tackle Spencer Fano has been taking at No. 9 overall by the Cleveland Browns. That takes arguably the biggest tackle name away from the Lions, who may be taking an offensive tackle with the No. 17 overall pick.
Aaron Glenn following Dan Campbell’s lead
As pointed out by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, New York Jets coach Aaron Glenn, who was previously the Lions’ defensive coordinator under Dan Campbell, has followed his former boss in his draft pattern over his first two drafts leading the Jets.
Run on offensive line right before Lions?
The Lions are picking higher than they have in the last two years, but will they be able to get who they want?
Many mock drafts have connected the Lions to a offensive tackle, filling a big hole after the team cut longtime left tackle Taylor Decker in the offseason.
According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, there “seems like a consensus among teams” that there will be a run on offensive linemen in the 10-14 range, right before the Lions pick.
So will Brad Holmes trade up, or stand pat and hope they’re able to still land who they’re targeting?
Lions 2026 NFL Draft picks
The Lions traded both of their 2026 third-rounders, including a compensatory pick for defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn getting hired as the coach of the New York Jets, to trade up for receiver Isaac TeSlaa in the 2025 draft. Detroit also got an extra 2026 sixth-round pick in the deal.
The Lions received their extra fourth-round pick from the trade that sent running back David Montgomery to the Houston Texans. Detroit got a compensatory pick in the fifth round after offensive lineman Kevin Zeitler left in free agency ahead of the 2025 season.
Detroit got another sixth-round pick in the trade that sent wide receiver Tim Patrick to the Jaguars. Lastly, the Lions got their seventh-round pick from the Cleveland Browns in a 2024 deadline deal that sent pass rusher Za’Darius Smith to Cleveland.
Lions first round picks by Brad Holmes, Dan Campbell
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You can reach Christian at cromo@freepress.com
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions 2026 NFL Draft live updates, rumors, tracker
Reporting by Christian Romo, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
