Mock draft season is officially here, and the Detroit Lions are already showing up in early 2026 projections. While fans are currently locked into this playoff push, draft analysts are starting to look ahead, and one of the biggest questions for Detroit surrounds the future of the left tackle position.
Veteran Taylor Decker has been the anchor of the offensive line for nearly a decade, but as he approaches age 33 next season, retirement becomes a real conversation. Add in the fact that Giovanni Manu has yet to find consistent footing in his first two NFL seasons, and it’s no surprise draft experts believe Detroit could address the position sooner rather than later.
And according to The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, that time could be now.
Brugler Mocks Alabama’s Kadyn Proctor to Detroit
In his early 2026 mock draft, Brugler has Detroit selecting at No. 17 overall, a position that quietly hints at what national observers think of the Lions’ trajectory, a fringe playoff team that could just miss out this season.
Brugler links Detroit to Alabama left tackle Kadyn Proctor, one of the most physically impressive prospects in next year’s class. Listed at a monstrous 360 pounds, Proctor combines size, mobility, and surprising athleticism, traits that fit exactly what Detroit loves in their linemen.
Brad Holmes has leaned heavily on SEC talent during his tenure, including recent picks like guard Miles Frazier, who just made his NFL debut against Dallas. Proctor fits that mold perfectly: battle-tested, versatile, and built for NFL power schemes.
Brugler even joked about how easy the sell would be inside Detroit’s draft room.
“Proctor would be an easy sell in the Detroit war room — just show Dan Campbell clips of the 360-pounder catching screens and lining up in the backfield. I’m half-kidding, but Proctor would give the Lions a potential heir apparent at left tackle and immediate depth at guard.”
And honestly… he’s right. You show Dan Campbell a refrigerator-sized human rumbling downfield on a screen, and the man might bite through a kneecap out of excitement.
Why It Makes Sense for Detroit
Despite their talent across the offensive front, Detroit has struggled recently with consistency, especially in pass protection. Injuries, rotations, and the uncertainty at left tackle beyond 2025 all contribute to a position group that could use an infusion of long-term stability.
Drafting Proctor gives the Lions:
- A future starter at left tackle
- Immediate depth at guard
- Insurance for a potential Decker retirement
- Another young building block for a championship window
Holmes has never forced a need in the draft, but he understands the importance of continuing to build through the trenches.
Detroit’s Identity Starts Up Front
If the Lions do spend a first-round pick on another offensive lineman, it wouldn’t be flashy, but it would be on brand. This team wins by dominating up front, protecting Jared Goff, and opening lanes for Jahmyr Gibbs.
Adding a 360-pound athletic freak like Proctor? Yeah, that fits the vision.
Whether Detroit actually ends up picking at No. 17 depends on how the rest of the season unfolds. But one thing is clear: the Lions are thinking long-term in the trenches, and Kadyn Proctor is already on their radar.
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