By Moses Joshua 
Detroit’s future in the trenches may already have a new cornerstone as draft season quietly begins
Mock draft season has officially arrived—even with meaningful football still being played—and the Detroit Lions are already popping up in early 2026 projections. While fans remain locked into the playoff chase, draft analysts across the league have begun turning their attention toward Detroit’s long-term roster questions. And at the top of that list sits one massive concern: the future at left tackle.
Taylor Decker has been a stabilizing force on the blind side for nearly a decade. But with the veteran approaching his age-33 season in 2026 and depth behind him still unsettled, the conversation around his successor is no longer hypothetical—it’s real. And according to one of the most respected draft minds in the industry, Detroit may already have its answer.
Brugler Connects Detroit to a Monster in the Trenches
In his early 2026 mock draft for The Athletic, Dane Brugler projects the Lions selecting 17th overall—a pick that subtly reflects how the national view sees Detroit right now: competitive, dangerous, but not locked in as an elite powerhouse just yet.
With that selection, Brugler pairs Detroit with Alabama left tackle Kadyn Proctor, one of the most physically imposing linemen in the upcoming class. At nearly 360 pounds, Proctor is a rare blend of sheer mass, foot quickness, and surprising fluidity in space.
Brugler didn’t hesitate to explain why this fit works so cleanly.
“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.”
That description alone sounds like a player built in a lab for Detroit’s identity—violent, athletic, and unreasonably physical.
Why This Pick Actually Makes Perfect Sense
Detroit’s offensive line remains one of the team’s calling cards, but even great units need replenishment. Injuries, rotation at guard, and long-term uncertainty at left tackle have introduced cracks in what was once one of the NFL’s most stable fronts.
Adding Proctor would accomplish multiple goals at once:
- Secure a future starter at left tackle
- Provide immediate interior depth
- Offer insurance for a possible Decker retirement
- Add another young cornerstone to Detroit’s championship window
Brad Holmes has consistently proven he won’t reach just to fill a hole—but he also understands better than most that championships are built from the inside out.
It’s also worth noting that Holmes’ draft history shows a clear affinity for SEC-built trench players, most recently with rookie guard Miles Frazier making his NFL debut against Dallas. Proctor fits neatly into that same scouting profile: tested, powerful, and NFL-ready.
Detroit’s Identity Has Always Started Up Front
If the Lions do ultimately spend another first-round pick on an offensive lineman, it won’t dominate highlight reels—but it would be unmistakably on brand.
Detroit wins by:
- Controlling the line of scrimmage
- Protecting Jared Goff
- Creating space for Jahmyr Gibbs
- Imposing physical will for four quarters
Adding a 360-pound athlete who can move in space and anchor against elite pass rushers only strengthens that formula.
And yes—imagining Dan Campbell watching Proctor rumble downfield on screen passes likely produces an instant green light in the war room.
The Draft Spot May Change—The Plan Won’t
Whether Detroit actually lands at No. 17 or climbs higher with a late-season push remains to be seen. But one message from Brugler’s projection is already clear: the Lions are thinking beyond 2025, especially in the trenches.
Taylor Decker’s legacy in Detroit is secure. Now, the organization appears poised to begin planning for the next era—one that may very well start with a massive Alabama lineman built to continue the tradition.