By Blessing 
Mock draft season has officially kicked off, and the Detroit Lions are already appearing in the earliest 2026 projections. Even though fans are understandably focused on this year’s playoff push, analysts have begun studying what comes next — and one of the biggest long-term questions for Detroit revolves around the future of the left tackle spot.
For nearly ten years, Taylor Decker has been the steady presence protecting Detroit’s blindside. But with Decker turning 33 next season, the possibility of retirement is becoming more realistic. Add in the fact that Giovanni Manu has struggled to gain consistent traction in his first two seasons, and it’s easy to see why draft experts think the Lions may soon need to invest in the position.
According to Dane Brugler of The Athletic, that moment could be approaching sooner than expected.
Brugler Projects Alabama’s Kadyn Proctor to Detroit
In Brugler’s early 2026 mock draft, he places the Lions at No. 17 overall — a draft slot that subtly reflects how national observers view Detroit’s outlook: a team hovering on the playoff bubble that might narrowly miss out this season.
At that spot, Brugler pairs the Lions with Alabama left tackle Kadyn Proctor, one of the most imposing offensive line prospects expected in next year’s draft class. Weighing in at a remarkable 360 pounds, Proctor blends rare size with movement skills and surprising athletic fluidity — exactly the traits Detroit values in its offensive linemen.
General manager Brad Holmes has leaned heavily toward SEC standouts during his tenure, including players like guard Miles Frazier, who recently made his NFL debut against Dallas. Proctor fits the same blueprint: experienced, powerful, versatile, and built for the physical brand of football Detroit embraces.
Brugler even joked about how easy it would be to pitch Proctor to the decision-makers inside Allen Park.
“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 not wrong. If you show Dan Campbell a refrigerator-sized athlete sprinting downfield on a screen pass, the man might literally bite through a kneecap out of pure excitement.
Why This Pick Fits Detroit
Even with their overall strength up front, the Lions have experienced stretches of inconsistency on the offensive line, especially when it comes to pass blocking. Injuries, rotations, and the uncertain timeline surrounding Decker’s future make left tackle a spot that could benefit from long-term reinforcement.
Drafting Proctor would give Detroit:
A potential future starter at left tackle
Added depth at guard immediately
Protection against a possible Decker retirement
Another young piece for a championship-caliber offensive core
Holmes rarely drafts for need alone, but he understands the importance of building from the trenches.
Detroit’s Identity Starts Up Front
If the Lions choose to spend a first-round pick on another offensive lineman, it wouldn’t be glamorous, but it would absolutely fit their identity. Detroit wins by protecting Jared Goff and clearing lanes for Jahmyr Gibbs — a massive, athletic lineman like Proctor only strengthens that formula.
Whether the Lions actually select at No. 17 will depend on how the rest of the year unfolds. But what’s already clear is this: Detroit is planning for the future up front, and Kadyn Proctor is firmly on their radar.