Friday, April 17, 2026

Lions Links for Thursday 4-16-26

Articles:

Lions, Brad Holmes respect 'Father Time' in NFL draft evals:  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2026/04/16/detroit-lions-age-second-contract-nfl-draft-evals/89607276007/

Detroit Lions 2026 NFL Draft Needs: Cornerback injury report:  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2026/04/15/detroit-lions-2026-nfl-draft-

Lions Jared Goff Is Only NFL QB To Accomplish This Feat Last Three Years:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/lions-jared-goff-only-nfl-qb-to-accomplish-this-feat-last-three-years

NFL Analyst Believes Lions Cornerback Pick More Likely in Second Round:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/nfl-analyst-believes-lions-cornerback-pick-more-likely-second-round


Every NFL team's offseason to-do list: What can clubs check off in the 2026 draft? (Detroit Lions - Still to do:  Get Aidan Hutchinson an edge-rushing partner.  Figure out left tackle.  Who's in line for extensions? The Lions still do not boast a high-caliber edge mate for Aidan Hutchinson. The lack of a consistent No. 2 has led to some leaky defensive efforts. Will this be the draft where Detroit finally uses a high pick on pass-rush potency? Brad Holmes' recent comments about the starting viability of OT addition Larry Borom indicate a willingness to move Penei Sewell to the blind side. That decision could ultimately come down to what happens during the draft. The Lions have four extension candidates in RB Jahmyr Gibbs, LB Jack Campbell, TE Sam LaPorta and S Brian Branch. Holmes likes to get in front of extensions, so expect at least two (my bets would be Gibbs and Campbell) re-upping in the coming months. Budgeting for extensions is the main reason the Lions have been mostly quiet this offseason.):  https://www.nfl.com/news/every-nfl-team-s-offseason-to-do-list-what-can-clubs-check-off-in-the-2026-draft

Agent's Take: A guide to fifth-year options for 2023 first-round picks, including Anthony Richardson (12th pick: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Lions - Fifth-year option: $14.293 million.  The Lions have a recent track record of signing first-round picks to early contract extensions (edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson, offensive tackle Penei Sewell and wide receiver Jameson Williams). The same should be true for Gibbs. Head coach Dan Campbell didn't do the Lions any favors contractually by stating that Gibbs is just scratching the surface of his talent and is an offensive weapon rather than just a runner at the NFL annual owners meeting in late March. Those comments will likely be used as ammunition for Gibbs to join Barkley in the $20 million-per-year running back club.  18th pick: Jack Campbell, LB, Lions - Fifth-year option: $21.925 million.  Campbell earning Pro Bowl honors last season created a problem for the Lions. The value of Campbell's fifth-year option increased by $6.801 million from $15.124 million to $21.925 million. The $21.925 million cost doesn't reflect the off-ball linebacker market. That's because pass-rushing 3-4 outside linebackers primarily determine the number. Fred Warner and Roquan Smith top the off-ball linebacker market with respective $21 million-per-year and $20 million-per-year deals from the San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens. Exercising Campbell's option year will give him negotiating leverage to replace Warner as the salary standard for off-ball linebackers.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/fifth-year-options-for-2023-first-round-picks/

2026 NFL Draft Guides: Needs, Fits and Each Team’s Path to Success (Detroit Lions - 2026 draft picks: Round 1, pick 17; Round 2, pick 50; Round 4, picks 118, 128; Round 5, picks 157, 181; Round 6, picks 205, 213; Round 7, pick 222.  2025 draft class: Tyleik Williams, DT; Tate Ratledge, OG; Isaac TeSlaa, WR; Miles Frazier, OG; Ahmed Hassanein, edge; Dan Jackson, S; Dominic Lovett, WR.  Position needs: OL, edge, CB.  BPA: Monroe Freeling, Akheem Mesidor, Jermod McCoy.  The draft will be a success if the Lions ... improve their offensive line. The Lions have a need at tackle after Taylor Decker’s departure, as well as needs along the interior offensive line. Their line finished 31st in ESPN’s pass block win rate metric, signaling the unit’s need for improvement—especially since Jared Goff’s EPA per play plummeted from 10th to 25th when under pressure last season.):  https://www.si.com/nfl/draft/guides-needs-fits-team-path-success-2026

2026 NFL Draft:





Late-Round Sleepers Lions Can't Afford to Miss in NFL Draft:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/late-round-sleepers-lions-cannot-afford-to-miss-2026-nfl-draft



What Dontay Corleone Overcame to Reach this NFL Draft Moment Is Staggering (JM: Have you met with any NFL teams throughout this pre-draft process? How's that been treating you?  Dontay Corleone: I met with the Detroit Lions. I had a formal interview with the Lions at the NFL Combine. I’ve pretty much shut it down [physically]. I haven’t done any private workouts or anything like that. I’m getting healthy. I think teams know and understand that. They’ve also been scouting me for a long time. They know who I am.  I had medical rechecks in Indianapolis.) (4-16-26):  https://www.si.com/nfl/draft/onsi/player-profiles/what-dontay-corleone-overcame-to-reach-this-nfl-draft-moment-is-staggering

One of the top defensive tackles in the 2026 NFL draft says he’s met with the Lions and only the Lions, why he could be the steal of the draft for Detroit:  https://atozsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions-news/one-of-the-top-defensive-tackles-in-the-2026-nfl-draft-says-hes-met-with-the-lions-and-only-the-lions-why-he-could-be-the-steal-of-the-draft-for-detroit/

2026 Detroit Lions Top 127 Horizontal Big Board: Who is there 17, who you trade up or down for, who are the best prospects for late round picks, and more!:  https://atozsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions-news/2026-detroit-lions-top-127-horizontal-big-board-who-is-there-17-who-you-trade-up-or-down-for-who-are-the-best-prospects-for-late-round-picks-and-more/

The Lions Should Draft This Guy: Everything about Pittsburgh linebacker Kyle Louis screams Lions:  https://atozsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions-news/the-lions-should-draft-this-guy-everything-about-pittsburgh-linebacker-kyle-louis-screams-lions/

The Lions Should Draft This Guy: The Lions have been linked to Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy:  https://atozsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions-news/the-lions-should-draft-this-guy-the-lions-have-been-linked-to-tennessee-cornerback-jermod-mccoy/


2026 NFL draft: How all 32 teams can ace their picks, needs (Detroit Lions - Picks: Nos. 17, 50, 118, 128, 157, 181, 205, 213, 222.  If the Lions walk out of April with a refurbished offensive line, it's an A+ draft. That isn't so easy as drafting a right tackle, flopping Penei Sewell to the left side and calling it a day. The Lions are often paired with Alabama's Kadyn Proctor (on account of his hugeness), but Proctor isn't a reliable Day 1 player. I'd prefer to see Georgia's Monroe Freeling (also very big), who could keep Sewell on the right side, or Clemson's Blake Miller, who would push Sewell to the left side but has been much more consistent than Freeling.  Then the Lions still need to use another pick on the interior offensive line. Christian Mahogany is not a guaranteed starter at left guard and has missed time in both of his pro seasons. Cade Mays was a solid bargain signing in free agency but was a backup for most of his career in Carolina; the Panthers released him in 2024. Neither has a stranglehold on their position, and the Lions should hedge their bets with a middle-round pick accordingly. Besides the offensive line, the Lions have big needs at EDGE2 and cornerback that could be addressed at No. 17. It's unlikely they go for a pass rusher, as they've historically undervalued that spot and the board isn't strong enough there. But cornerback Terrion Arnold's struggles for consistent availability and penalty-free play, as well as Amik Robertson's departure in free agency, leave plenty of gettable snaps both inside and outside. If Jermod McCoy's knee injury pulls him to No. 17, don't be surprised if the Lions adjust their plans on the fly for the Tennessee corner. More likely is a CB pick at No. 50, where Brandon Cisse (South Carolina) has the size and athleticism of a boundary corner. In the middle rounds, the safety position also becomes a target. Kerby Joseph was in and out of the lineup with a lingering knee injury from training camp; Brian Branch (still without an extension) tore his Achilles in Week 14 and won't be full-go by Week 1. Also keep an eye on tight end, where a lack of depth behind Sam LaPorta has been prohibitive.  Whenever the Lions draft an edge rusher, look for the biggest frames with the heaviest hands. Zion Young (Missouri) and Gabe Jacas (Illinois) are targets at No. 50. Caden Curry (Ohio State) and LT Overton (Alabama) are Day 3 guys.  The bottom line: Return the offensive line to full strength. Address CB and edge rusher with what remains.):  https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2026/story/_/id/48494162/2026-nfl-draft-32-teams-positions-picks-grades-predictions-needs-solak

2026 NFL Draft: Six potential trades that could rock Round 1 (Chad Reuter - Lions go get Penei Sewell a bookend buddy.  I would love to see Detroit move up in the first round from 17th overall to select offensive lineman Spencer Fano. His hard-nosed blocking fits the attitude Dan Campbell desires up front, and the Lions aren’t afraid to take chances on talented players with question marks -- like when they took Penei Sewell seventh overall in 2021 despite his below-ideal length. I'd expect Detroit to give Fano a shot at right tackle -- with Sewell transitioning to the left side to replace Taylor Decker -- even though many project the Utah prospect to move inside because of his sub-33 inch arms.):  https://www.nfl.com/news/2026-nfl-draft-six-potential-trades-that-could-rock-round-1

2026 NFL Draft sleepers: Which players could be this year's hidden gems?:  https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/draft/2026/04/16/nfl-draft-sleepers-2026-players-hidden-gems/89623817007/

6 Biggest Defensive Sleepers in the 2026 NFL Draft:  https://athlonsports.com/nfl/2026-nfl-draft-sleepers-defense

Perfect Late-Round Tight End For Detroit Lions in 2026 Draft:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/perfect-late-round-tight-end-detroit-lions-2026-draft

2026 NFL Draft Preview: The overall class isn’t the strongest, but it’s filled with talented sleepers:  https://atozsports.com/nfl-draft/2026-nfl-draft-preview-talented-sleepers-ted-hurst-ahmari-harvey-dezhaun-stribling-vj-payne-jaden-dugger/

NFL draft prospects who could become biggest steals in 2026:  https://www.thebiglead.com/nfl-draft-prospects-who-could-become-the-biggest-steals-in-2026/




Bucky Brooks' top five 2026 NFL Draft prospects by position 3.0: Carson Beck climbs QB rankings:  https://www.nfl.com/news/bucky-brooks-top-five-2026-nfl-draft-prospects-by-position-3-0-carson-beck-climbs-qb-rankings



2026 NFL Draft: A Look Inside the Strangest Job Interview Process in Sports:  https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/2026-nfl-draft-prospect-preparation-caleb-downs-arvell-reese

Podcast:


Mailbag: What to make of Detroit Lions’ draft rumors—and lack thereof:  https://www.prideofdetroit.com/detroit-lions-draft/161882/mailbag-detroit-lions-draft-rumors-breakdown-kadyn-proctor

Video:

Cynthia Frelund's NFL North Draft Preview | 'Path to the Draft':  https://www.nfl.com/videos/cynthia-frelund-s-nfl-north-draft-preview-path-to-the-draft

Posted by LionsFan at 10:07 AM

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