Most people expect the Detroit Lions to select a tackle with their first pick today. No argument here. Unfortunately, when you have a need as obvious as Detroit’s need for a tackle, it becomes very difficult to hide your draft intentions. It would seem that other NFL teams expect the Lions to take a tackle at pick 17, and are hoping to beat them to the punch. According to multiple reports, several teams could be looking to jump the Detroit Lions in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Todd McShay and Ian Rapoport Are Both Reporting Similar Intel
NFL Draft expert Todd McShay has stated, “No team has done more work on the offensive tackle” than the Lions. If McShay knows this, you can be sure every other team knows it as well. McShay goes on to say that the two teams picking directly in front of Detroit, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New York Jets, have already been fielding calls from teams looking to leapfrog the Lions on Thursday night.
McShay goes even further, speculating that as many as nine (!) teams could be interested in jumping Detroit for a tackle. He lists Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Chicago, San Francisco, Houston, Kansas City, New England, Cleveland, and Miami as all possibilities to make an “aggressive move up the board Thursday night.”
Ian Rapoport, one of the NFL’s top insiders, reported almost the same on an episode of “The Insiders.” Though only specifically mentioning San Francisco, Philadelphia, and Carolina, Rapoport suggests many other teams could be on the hunt for a tackle.
Which Teams Are Most Likely To Make A Move?
1. Philadelphia Eagles
Currently holding pick 23, the
The Philadelphia Eagles are the team to be most worried about. Their star right tackle, Lane Johnson, will turn 36 on May 8. After a significant Lisfranc foot injury sidelined Johnson for the second half of the 2025 season, there was plenty of speculation that he could call it a career.
Johnson put those rumors to rest when he announced he would return for his 14th season. However, the Eagles could look to find his successor this year, especially in a draft with such a deep tackle class. Potential right tackle targets for Detroit, such as Blake Miller or Max Iheanachor, could also be on Philly’s menu.
2. San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers own the 27th pick, meaning it would cost a hefty price to move ahead of Detroit. With Trent Williams already 37, his illustrious career is nearing its end. Though Williams recently signed a two-year, $50 million extension, the Niners could be looking to secure their LT of the future.
Top prospects like Kadyn Proctor, Monroe Freeling, or Caleb Lomu., all of whom have been heavily linked to the Lions, could entice SF to make a big move.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are picking 21st on Thursday night, but have plenty of ammunition should they choose to move ahead of Detroit. With 12 total picks, the Steelers are expected to be active throughout the entire draft.
I have Vega Ioane, the top guard in this class, going to Pittsburgh in both of my Steelers mocks. There is a good chance that Ioane will be long gone before Detroit is on the clock at pick 17. If so, Pittsburgh could turn its attention to finding an upgrade at left tackle. Former first-round pick Broderick Jones has disappointed so far in Pittsburgh. Jones is not expected to have his fifth-year option exercised by the Steelers, and could be entering his final year in Pittsburgh.
It is also possible that Vega Ioane is still available as the Lions’ pick nears, and it wouldn’t shock anyone if Brad Holmes, sticking to his “best player available” strategy, took Ioane over a tackle. Pittsburgh could see the Lions as competition for its top target and look to jump ahead of Detroit.
Final Thoughts
Could all of this noise force Brad Holmes to trade up Thursday night? It wouldn’t be surprising. Of course, all of these rumors could end with nothing happening. Even if a team trades ahead of Detroit and drafts a tackle, there is no guarantee it will be the tackle the Lions are hoping for. If Holmes is looking for a tackle, luckily, there are many good ones to choose from. Holmes has a great track record of getting his guy, and I expect that to continue tonight.
