The Detroit Lions should enter the 2026 NFL Draft with a sense of urgency. Detroit holds the 17th overall pick, their highest selection since the 2023 NFL Draft. One NFL insider believes the Lions could use that pick to make a bold trade during the first round.
ESPN’s Peter Schrager released his final mock draft just one day before the big event. He included one big trade between the Lions and Rams, resulting in Detroit landing Alabama tackle Kadyn Proctor.
“Taylor Decker was released, and Proctor is still sitting there. So, general manager Brad Holmes might call up his old team and see if the Rams are open for business,” Schrager wrote. “Proctor would be a huge presence (6-foot-7, 352 pounds) at left tackle for Jared Goff and the Detroit offense, and taking a left tackle would mean Penei Sewell could stay on the right side.”
In this scenario, the Lions give up the 118th overall pick plus a 2027 second-round pick to move up to 13th overall. The Rams used the 17th overall pick to select Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq.
Giving up a future second-round pick certainly qualifies as bold.
The buzz around Detroit and Proctor has only increased as the draft draws closer. Analysts had not been mocking Proctor to the Lions at the beginning of April, but that tune is obviously changing.
The fit does make some sense, though. Detroit has an obvious need at left tackle after cutting Decker before NFL free agency. Proctor is a raw prospect, but he could be a superstar on Detroit’s offensive line if he pans out.
It will be fascinating to see if the Lions are in or out on Proctor during the first round of the draft.
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