By Blessing 
As the NFL Draft creeps closer, the Detroit Lions’ potential plans for their first-round pick are becoming more unpredictable. Not long ago, the conversation was mostly centered around which edge rusher they might go after. Now, things are getting more interesting—and a bit more uncertain.
The Lions recently hosted wide receiver Matthew Golden, sparking some buzz about the possibility of adding another weapon on offense. On top of that, a few mock drafts have begun pointing in entirely different directions, including one that suggests the team may go after a cornerback. And now, a new wrinkle has entered the mix: a defensive tackle.
In a mock draft from Pro Football Focus, analyst Dalton Wasserman projected that Detroit would use its No. 28 overall pick to select South Carolina defensive tackle T.J. Sanders. At first glance, it might seem like an odd fit. Defensive tackle isn’t exactly a pressing concern for the Lions heading into the 2025 season.
With D.J. Reader and Levi Onwuzurike expected to return as starters, and Alim McNeill working his way back from injury, Detroit seems to have solid options on the interior defensive line. They even signed Roy Lopez this offseason to bolster depth.
But when you look a little further down the road, this move starts to make a lot more sense.
All three of those key players—Reader, Onwuzurike, and Lopez—are set to hit free agency after the 2025 season. Onwuzurike only received a one-year deal this offseason, which could signal that the team doesn’t view him as part of their long-term plans. Meanwhile, Reader will turn 31 before the season kicks off, raising natural questions about how much longer he can be a reliable force inside.
That’s where Sanders comes in.
The South Carolina standout posted at least four sacks in each of the last two seasons, and he racked up 93 tackles and 17 tackles for loss during that stretch. His strong play earned him All-SEC Second Team honors in 2024.
If Detroit doesn’t see an immediate-impact player when they’re on the clock, planning ahead isn’t a bad approach. Targeting Sanders could give them a chance to groom a future starter who can eventually line up next to McNeill.
Even though the defensive tackle room is full for now, Sanders might just be the kind of forward-thinking pick that keeps the Lions’ defense strong for years to come.