The Detroit Lions Podcast

The Lions’ filters and a three-man target band at 17 One week from Day 3, the Detroit Lions board is narrowing to players who match clear standards. No recent DUIs. No violence. No academic ineligibility. They prefer team captains, academic achievers, and multi-sport backgrounds. Maturity and coachability matter. Under Brad Holmes, the Detroit Lions draft their guys and ignore consensus boards. Expect that again. That approach frames a three-man cluster for pick No. 17 in the NFL Draft: TJ Parker, Blake Miller, and Kendrick Ford. Others could surface, including Monroe Fraley, Max Heinecker, and even Jermaine McCoy, but those three sit in the thick of it. The Detroit Lions Podcast made the case for each as culture and scheme fits. Blake Miller checks every box at right tackle Miller looks built for Detroit. Durable. Noticeable senior-year growth. Team captain. Strong football character. He can step in at right tackle quickly, as game ready as a college lineman can be entering the NFL. He also tested as an elite athlete at the combine. That level of testing did not always appear on tape, but nothing about him reads unathletic. Any narrative to the contrary is off base. If the Lions want a plug-in, long-view answer opposite Taylor Decker and in front of Aidan Hutchinson’s edge, Miller is the easy fit. Why Faulk profiles as the Hutchinson complement Some fans will balk at taking Faulk at 17. The fit is plain. He is a physical clone of Marcus Davenport, only younger and healthy. He became a team captain at age 20 on a veteran Auburn team. High academic achiever. Impressive athletic profile and RAS. The critique is real: he is not super twitchy off the snap, and quicker pressure has been a fan priority. The Detroit Lions have not emphasized that timeline publicly. They value the totality of disruption and reliability opposite Hutchinson. Within that lens, Faulk makes sense at 17. Day-three watchlist: Kendrick Ford, Dante Corleone, and a sleeper at corner Ford’s story fits Detroit. A blood clot cost him a season. He stayed loyal, stayed engaged on the sideline, and never detached. Two-time captain. Stylistic fit as a replacement for DJ Reed on the roster. Fourth-round range feels right given the board construction and need stack. Dante Corleone also flashed a clear line to Allen Park. In an interview, he singled out the Detroit Lions as the only team that spent significant time with him after the combine visit. The club has done its homework. Everything about his profile suggests they will like what they see. Do not sleep on Latrell McCutcheon, cornerback from the Houston Cougars. He has not been discussed enough. Good player. If Detroit wants a competitive outside corner later in the NFL Draft, he belongs on the card. #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #nfldraft #blakemiller #keldricfaulk #dontaycorleone #vjpayne #latrellmccutchin #lionsfits #gritfit Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Six Days Out, the Board Turns to Saturday The Detroit Lions are six days from the start of the NFL Draft, and the Detroit Lions Podcast zeroed in on Day 3. Saturday covers rounds four through seven. The focus was specific. Detroit has a lot of capital on Day 3 right now. That is likely to change. The expectation is a move up before Saturday to secure a target. The conversation centered on which players fit the roster and how many of those Day 3 picks can realistically make the team. Day 3 is about flavor and conviction. The early rounds deliver spotlight and starters. Saturday is for dart throws and stand-on-the-table guys. The Lions will filter that through a roster that is already tough to crack. Two Fourths and the 53-Man Reality Detroit currently holds two early fourth-round selections. If the Lions add a first-rounder, a second-rounder, and those two fourths, there may not be room for much else. That was the stark roster math. The 53-man roster is tight as it stands. Late picks can push competition and land on the practice squad, which still has value. But the Lions do not need a sixth-rounder to contribute right away in 2026. That calculus fuels the idea of consolidating capital. Package some of Saturday’s picks to move up earlier. Get a difference-maker that aligns with the board. Then let the two fourths address depth where it matters. A 6'8 Answer at Swing Tackle One Day 3 name stood out: Travis Bell, a right tackle from Memphis who previously played left tackle at Florida International, the Panthers. He is 6-foot-8 with long arms and rare grip strength for this tackle class. When he locks on, the rep is finished. He finishes through the whistle and plays with a bouncer’s edge. Off the field he comes off as composed. On it he flips the switch. That temperament drew parallels to the way Taylor Decker carries himself. Bell profiles as an immediate swing tackle. He can back up both spots while learning behind established starters. Even if Detroit selects a tackle at 17, Bell still fits. He would stabilize depth and hedge against injuries on an offensive line that drives the Lions’ identity. Pick 17 Shapes Saturday If tackle is the play at 17, names in the mix included Montgomery Freeling, Blake Miller, and Spencer Fano. That choice would ripple into Day 3. Land a starter early, then chase traits and role players later. If the board breaks differently, Bell becomes even more attractive as a developmental piece with starter tools. The mission is clear. Use the two fourths wisely. Let the 53 dictate which darts are worth throwing. And if the chance comes to go up and get the guy before Saturday, take it. #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #nfldraft #daythreedartthrows #roundsfourthroughseven #twofourth-roundpicks #53-manroster #practicesquad #swingtackle #travisbell #memphisrighttackle #floridainternationalpanthers #gripstrength #taylordecker #blakemiller #spencerfano #montgomeryfreeling #pick17 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trade smoke at picks 6 and 12 A week out from the NFL draft, the Detroit Lions Podcast locked in on the rumor with real bite. Dallas has eyes on jumping from 12 to 6 in a deal with Cleveland. That move would put the Cowboys in range for a defensive cornerstone. Names floated were concrete. Caleb Downs. Niese Styles. Rubin Bain. Jeremiah Love. Cardinal Bates. Cleveland, sliding to 12, would still sit in a clean pocket for an offensive tackle such as Caden Procter, Monroe Freeling, or Spencer Fano. The logic tracks. Dallas secures a high-end defender. Cleveland reloads up front. The Giants, Arizona, and the safe defender debate There is a catch. If Dallas covets the same player as New York, the Cowboys may need to leap the Giants. New York is not doing business with Dallas. That pushes the question higher on the board. Some believe five could be Downs’ range. Positional value chatter will hum, but this class may mute it. Just take really good players. Arizona complicates everything. If Niese Styles is seen as one of the safest prospects, what stops Arizona from taking him? That possibility shapes the entire top 10. If Styles or Downs goes early, Dallas must recalibrate. If either slides to six, the door swings open for that 12-to-6 jump. What it means for the Lions at 17 The Detroit Lions sit at 17 and can let the board work for them. If Dallas climbs for a defender and Cleveland targets a tackle later, the middle of the round shifts. A run on defensive backs and edge players could shove an offensive tackle down to 17. A tackle surge could push a defender into Detroit’s lap. Both outcomes help. The room weighed immediate impact versus projection. David Bailey’s pass rush pop could hit early. Arnold Reed might take a different path to the same outcome. The staff’s preferences matter. Aaron Glenn values defenders who attack the run and set edges with urgency. That lens will filter every option that hits 17. Detroit has done the homework on day two and day three paths. Now the choices at 17 crystallize. If the Cowboys-Browns swap happens, it clarifies priorities. If it fizzles, it still tilts the board through the threat of action. Either way, the Lions can stay patient, trust their stack, and pounce when the right player slides. #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #nfldraft #seventeenthoverallpick #dallascowboys #clevelandbrowns #movefrom12to6 #offensivetackles #defensiveends #calebdowns #niesestyles #rubinbain #jeremiahlove #cardinalbates #cadenprocter #spencerfano Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One Week Out, the Mock Is On Seven days before the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, the Detroit Lions Podcast fired up a full seven-round mock. The simulator ran on the consensus board at normal speed. Every trade offer was rejected to keep the exercise clean, even though the host admitted he would take several of them in real life. Tennessee, Buffalo, and Philadelphia dangled packages with future second-round picks. Tempting, but declined. The board fell largely as expected into the teens. The goal was simple. Track how the Detroit Lions might act when real choices appear. Concrete roster needs. Scheme fits. Red flags. All in play. Round 1: OT Over CB Temptations The Lions sifted through a cluster that included Raymond McCoy, Dylan Spielman, Keldrick Falk, Caden Proctor, Akeem Mezzadore, and Caleb Lomu. McCoy brought one season of pristine outside-corner tape at Tennessee, but the knee history and whispers about a degenerative issue cooled enthusiasm. The Lions already live with that kind of concern at safety with Kirby Joseph. Pass. Edge was surveyed for a complement to Aidan Hutchinson. A prototype was on the board, but Mezzadore did not fit that vision. Avion Terrell offered coverage polish yet carried a lighter frame than ideal. Caleb Lomu drew praise for movement skills and zone-friendly run blocking, but the sense was Detroit would not value him as highly. Caden Proctor held appeal, just not as the apple of their eye. The pick landed where positional value and board scarcity intersected. Blake Miller, offensive tackle. Take the pillar now, develop the ceiling with Fraley, and avoid forcing an offensive need later when the board thins. After 17: Runs, Snipes, and Offers Once Miller was in, chips fell fast. McCoy came off the board. Proctor went to Houston. Gabe Vaki vanished. Then the sting. TJ Parker, a player with real Lions interest, disappeared just before 50. More trade calls arrived in the 50s with swaps that included moving down for extra Day 2 capital. Again, declined for the sake of the exercise. Round 2 Watch: Corner Takes the Lead The Lions scanned offense and saw little they liked. Eli Stowers at tight end did not move the needle, especially with contested-catch concerns. A running back like Jadarian Price was not in play. Defense answered. Chris Johnson, an outside corner, fit cleanly and immediately jumped to the top of the conversation. Malachi Lawrence offered intrigue. Kayla Banks carried a foot injury that complicated the calculus. The takeaway was clear. By grabbing an offensive tackle early, Detroit preserved flexibility while the second-round board tilted defense. Cornerback rose to the front, with outside traits that align with how the Lions want to play on the perimeter. Health flags matter. Scheme fit matters more. One week out, this mock framed both with clarity. #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #nfl #blakemiller #chrisjohnson #mockdraft Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What Brad Holmes Actually Said Episode 608 lands as a 2026 Detroit Lions NFL Podcast primer, and the focus is Brad Holmes’ pre-draft press conference. The Detroit Lions Podcast treats this stretch as lying season. Everyone knows the game. The wrinkle is that Detroit has often told the truth, just not in ways people caught in the moment. That tension drove the discussion. The read on Holmes was direct. He did not appear deceptive. He also did not say much. He should not. The building keeps information close. The ship is locked tighter than it used to be, which makes outside reads tougher. The group framed Holmes’ approach as consistent, measured, and light on hints that can be mined by other clubs. A Tighter Ship, A Clearer Process Detroit’s process under Holmes tracks with a Rams-rooted philosophy. Care less about other teams. Care most about your own board. That mindset showed up in how the presser landed. No panic. No performative noise. Just enough clarity to signal confidence in the Lions’ path, without handing out details. Comparisons to other NFL front offices came up. Around the league, general managers hold similar lines in April. Some drop phrases that sound like clues. Most do not intend to tip their hand. Holmes fit that pattern, but with a notable edge: a self-focused process that shrugs at outside reaction. It narrows the signal. It cuts the static. Draft Smoke, Real Signals, and Mock Talk The conversation pushed back on fan assumptions about league-wide subterfuge. The NFL uses less smoke and mirrors than people think. Some teams do play games. Many do not. Detroit’s leadership falls on the straight-line side. Truth often sits in plain sight, wrapped in careful language. Unpredictability still rules draft weekend. The show cited a past draft where a team stacked multiple centers despite an established starter. It was a reminder. Anything can happen in the draft, regardless of what a depth chart looks like in April. That applies to the Lions as they weigh value against need, and as mocks try to catch up. From there, the table was set for current mock projections for the Detroit Lions. The presser context matters. If Holmes’ words are consistent with the past, Detroit will prioritize its own grades and timing. The result could challenge expectations on position and sequence. Episode 608 framed the exercise. Read the words. Respect the silence. Then test every mock against a front office that prizes process over theater. #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #bradholmespresser #lyingseason #detroitlionsdraft #mockprojections #ramsline #snead #nickcaserio #buccaneersgm #lockedtighter #blowingsmoke #anythingcanhappeninthedraft #threecentersinonedraft #all-procenter #officialdetroitlionspodcastforreddit #episode608 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trade-Up Logic for a Tight Roster On April 14, Jeff Risdon opened the Detroit Lions Podcast by dropping his annual dream draft. The premise is simple. Targets he prefers at every pick, no trades in the mock, and a clear-eyed look at roster math. His NFL calculus points one way. Trade up over trading back. Risdon expects three or four selections this year might not crack the active 53-man roster. Not because they cannot play, but because the Detroit Lions have fewer open chairs. Late picks can sit on the practice squad. That shifts value toward higher picks instead of collecting more Day 3 swings. He contrasted it with earlier Lions eras that forced rookies into the lineup. Amari Spivey got thrown to the wolves. A late-round inside backer from Cal had to play right away. Today’s depth means patience. Recent examples back it up. Dominic Lovett, a seventh-rounder a year ago, barely saw the offense and made little impact on special teams. Dan Jackson, also a seventh-round pick, returns healthy but might not have played much as a rookie anyway. That is a different Lions reality. It makes trading up more attractive this spring. Caleb Lomu at 17 and Panay Stays Right Risdon’s first-round dream pick is Caleb Lomu, the Utah left tackle. The choice ties directly to keeping Panay Sewell at right tackle. Sewell is the best in the world there. Move him and he would still be great, but why disrupt excellence. With a true left tackle in Lomu, Detroit can preserve its right-side identity. Risdon praised Lomu’s athleticism, length, and smarts. Crafty feet. Room to grow. He admitted the run blocking is not elite yet. Others are better in that phase. Spencer Fano brings more in-line drive. Francis Malinois does too. But the upside with Lomu at left tackle fits the long view while maintaining continuity with Sewell. Building the Right-Side Run and Interior Fits The vision extends to the run game. Keep the Detroit Lions pounding right. Pair Sewell with Tate Ratledge and have Cade Mays available to reinforce that side. Lomu holds down the blind side while the right side remains the hammer. The balance lets the offense dictate with angles and tempo without retooling the front. That philosophy also informs the board. In a weaker draft, higher picks matter more than a pile of late fliers. The Detroit Lions Podcast framed it cleanly. Aim your swings where roster spots actually exist. Trade-Up Wildcard and Year-Two Buzz If he did climb from 17, Risdon identified a prize. Niese Styles is his No. 2 overall player. A safety background shows up in space, yet he is bigger than Arvel Reed, who projects as an edge. Styles can play with Jack Campbell and unlock sub-package flexibility. There is carryover optimism too. Last year’s dream manifested early hits. The Lions landed Tylek Williams and Isaac TeSlaa sooner than expected. Risdon likes what comes next, especially for Williams in year two now that he knows NFL life. The dream stays ambitious. The logic stays grounded. #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #nfl #dreamdraft #caleblomu #lefttackle #panaysewell #tradeup #tradeback #tylekwilliams #isaacteslaa #tateratledge #cademays #spencerfano #niesestyles Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Holmes skips owners meetings to lock in draft prep Ten days before the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, the Detroit Lions Podcast zeroed in on Brad Holmes’ message and where Detroit stands at No. 17. Holmes held his annual pre-draft press conference. He explained he did not attend the NFL owners meetings this year. He stayed in Detroit to work with the scouting staff and focus on the draft. The Lions were still represented at the meetings, with Rod Wood and Dan Campbell available on site. The episode posted later than usual to follow that availability. Travel logistics factored into coverage decisions. A three-hour drive each way for a brief presser did not add value, especially without a plan to ask questions. The focus stayed on what Holmes revealed and what he did not. Reading the board at No. 17 Holmes was pressed on how many true first-round grades the Lions hold and what that means at 17. He did not bite. The general manager avoided specifics and declined to lock a number to the board. One fragment carried weight: "We feel pretty good about" what will be there at 17. That line framed Detroit’s outlook. The message matched league chatter. This is not billed as the greatest class, but teams expect to find players they like in their strike zones. Holmes has sharpened his poker face since his early sessions at the podium. He kept priorities concealed while signaling confidence in outcomes. The takeaway for the NFL and Detroit Lions watchers: the club trusts its board without tipping needs or targets. Trade calls timing and Detroit’s approach On movement around the pick, Holmes said this is the time when calls start to happen. To this point, they have not. That is not a denial of interest. It is a timestamp. Ten days out is when the market forms. The question is who dials first. Detroit’s tendency has been to let others ring them. That stands in contrast to the more aggressive, feeler-heavy style associated with John Dorsey during his Cleveland Browns tenure. The current Lions approach gathers information by fielding offers rather than fishing early. Up, back, or staying put all remain in play. The board and the phone will guide the path. The principle is clear. Detroit will not force action before the market sets. Pittsburgh trip notes coming later this week The show teased a travel-focused episode for fans headed to Pittsburgh. Recent time on the ground produced useful local notes that will drop later this week. The can cracked today was a Doctor Pepper. Sponsorship inquiries are open, with examples mentioned on air. #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #2026nfldraft #bradholmes #pressconference #larryborom #d.j.wonnum #ruebenbain #nfldrafttrades Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Late-Round Targets With Real Detroit Fits The Detroit Lions Podcast zeroed in on two late Day 3 options who match Detroit’s defensive profile. The focus stayed tight: an interior disruptor who penetrates and a defensive back with real slot juice and verified top-end speed. Both players project as developmental pieces who can fill defined roles in the NFL and compete for snaps in Detroit. Penetration From the Interior: Cameron Ball Cameron Ball, a defensive tackle from Arkansas, stands 6-foot-4 and 310 pounds and tested at the combine. His game is built on first-step quickness and backfield penetration. He wins by getting narrow through gaps and shooting into the backfield, not by anchoring and two-gapping. The production reflects a creator more than a finisher: three sacks and 13 tackles for loss across four seasons, with steady disruption and pursuit. The motor runs hot. He tackles well and moves unexpectedly well in space for his size, getting outside the box to finish plays. Block shedding is inconsistent, and he is not a classic run stuffer. He must win early with quickness. The athletic profile is decent, not elite, and the projection lands late on Day 3, potentially the sixth or seventh round. The fit in Detroit is clear. Ball profiles as a rotational rush tackle behind Alim McNeill, with insurance value when Levi Onwuzurike shifts. Detroit has dabbled with penetrators inside, including bigger bodies asked to knife and facilitate rather than rack up sacks. Ball can make quarterbacks hesitate on their step-up when edge pressure compresses the pocket. That kind of interior disturbance has value in this defense. Slot Speed and Versatility: C.A. Wright C.A. Wright, a Nebraska cornerback and former USC recruit, brings verified speed. GPS tracking has him over 22 miles per hour repeatedly. Nebraska kicked him inside to the slot, where his game took off, though he also saw time outside and some at safety. That inside-out experience matters for a secondary that values versatility and alignments that disguise intentions. Wright turned heads in all-star settings, including a strong week in the Dallas area. The attraction is straightforward: true slot range with recovery speed, plus the ability to handle varied coverage assignments. He projects in the late rounds, with the speed and role clarity to compete right away for nickel work while developing boundary technique over time. Why These Profiles Matter for Detroit Detroit needs rotational defenders who do specific jobs well. Ball offers gap shooting from the interior to complement edge pressure and lighten the load on early downs with change-of-pace penetration. Wright brings slot athleticism and flexibility across multiple spots in the secondary. Both are realistic Day 3 targets for the Detroit Lions, with traits that translate and roles that fit the plan. #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #nfldraftday3 #cameronball #ceyairwright #camdorner #curtisallen #scoutingreports Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Draft Runway and Roster Posture The Detroit Lions Podcast turned spring break into roster talk as Jeff Risdon sat down with Nick Baumgartner two weeks before the NFL Draft. They opened with Michigan basketball’s national title and a nod to John Beilein getting his overdue moment. Then they pivoted hard to the Detroit Lions and the NFL calendar. The tone was steady. The message was clear. Detroit is in good shape. Baumgartner said the front office did what it needed to do. The approach was careful. The only gripe raised was not giving Frank Regnal bonus money. Everything else from Brad Holmes and Dan tracked with the plan. The roster now lets Detroit enter the first round with freedom. Best player available is back on the table. That likely points to the trenches. An offensive lineman sits high on the board. It does not have to be a pure tackle. Guard or tackle both fit the current path. Free Agency Adds Reshape the Board The Detroit Lions Podcast highlighted several additions that tighten depth and raise the floor. Cade Maze drew praise as a value signing. Pacheco did too. Corrao landed as a swing tackle who can cover short term needs. He can start in a pinch if a rookie needs time. Those moves matter when the NFL Draft starts to slide. They buy patience. They keep the board honest. Detroit can wait for its guy instead of forcing a reach. With those pieces in place, the Lions can let the draft come to them. If a tackle falls, they can pounce. If the board tilts to an interior mauler, they can plug that in and roll. Either way, the goal stays the same. Protect the quarterback. Keep the run game on schedule. Own the line of scrimmage. Secondary Competition Tightens Inside Risdon pushed a point he thinks the fan base has overlooked. Roger McCreary and Tyler Conklin were called out as signings who will play and help right away. They were framed as upgrades over the players they replace. The slot comparison was direct. McCreary was labeled a better cover guy than Amiek Robertson on the inside. The versatility note followed. McCreary can do more. That flexibility changes matchups and pressures route timing. Chris Isiom came up as another under-the-radar pickup. The theme continued. Holmes keeps finding defensive backs off the scrap Wheat and making them fit. More bodies. More traits. More competition. It all stacks to a cleaner picture on draft night. Detroit can target the best player instead of scrambling to fill a hole. That is the difference between chasing and controlling. The NFL rewards control. The Detroit Lions Podcast made that point plain. #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #jeffrisdon #nickbaumgartner #nfldraft #offensivelineman #swingtackle #guardortackle #bradholmes #frankregnal #cademaze #pacheco #corrao #rogermccreary #tylerconklin #amiekrobertson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A 1,200-Player Lens on the NFL Draft Jeff Risdon welcomed Emery Hunt to the Detroit Lions Podcast for a focused draft conversation. Hunt outlined how his process starts in January after a season spent covering the NFL and college football. He hits nine to ten all star games, including the combine, to form first looks on prospects. Then he stacks twelve hour film days from February until the guide publishes. His draft guide includes over 1,200 individual scouting reports, one page per player he has actually watched. Buyers since 2020 would now hold more than 6,600 reports. It is built for draft weekend, camp cuts, and the regular season when rosters churn. The guide lists a clear grade for everyone he studied and costs $25. What Fits at Pick 17 for Detroit The discussion turned to the Detroit Lions at pick 17. Detroit added help on the edge in free agency. Inside, McNeil anchors a sturdy interior with capable help next to him. Hutchinson gives them a proven outside presence. That context points to two prime pathways. One is getting younger at edge if the board cooperates. Hunt said he would feel comfortable taking Reed Mesa in that range. He stressed a modern expectation for first rounders. Three productive years is success in a league where even top picks move quickly. The other path is the offensive line. If early action at the top reshapes the tackle market, Detroit could find a true left tackle on the board. The Browns’ choices at six and twenty four could influence that flow. In that scenario, Monroe Fraley fits as a clean left tackle projection. He offers the flexibility to keep him on the left side or cross train him on the right, depending on how Detroit wants to arrange the room. Interior offensive line was also mentioned as a viable consideration. Secondary Swing and a First-Round Wild Card Cornerback remains a live option if the medicals break right. If Manu McCoy checks out and slides, that would be a strong pickup at value. The show also floated a first round wild card. Anzalone Ponds of Indiana profiles as an outside corner who matches the physical, competitive edge the Lions prioritize. That type of player fits the team’s identity and adds matchup flexibility on the perimeter. However the board falls, Detroit has leverage. Free agency work on the defensive line gives room to target value. The roster’s core pieces create options rather than needs. At seventeen, the Lions can credibly choose edge, tackle, interior offensive line, or corner. With multiple workable lanes and a deep pool of scouted prospects, they can trust the grades and take the cleanest fit. #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #nfl #jeffrisdon #emeryhunt #draftguide #pick17 #edgerusher #interiordefensiveline #mcneil #hutchinson #monroefraley #reedmesa #manumccoy #anzaloneponds Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tackle Takes the Lead at 17 The Detroit Lions Podcast zeroed in on the NFL Draft board. Episode 607 asked the question that matters: what should the Detroit Lions do at 17? The table leaned offensive tackle. A fresh sweep of recent mocks all pointed to a tackle at that spot. Names floated included Procter, Manu, Holmes, Fraley, and Venga. The reasoning was simple. At 17, need meets value. If the Lions stick at that pick, a tackle fits the board and the workload in front of them. The draft room math favors it. Edge Help and the 50 Pick Edge at 17 did not land the same conviction. The group questioned whether an edge would be worth that selection. The hope is that a pass rusher slides to 50. If not, trade flexibility stays on the table. Up for a target. Back for a pocket of value. The expectation laid out was clear: across picks 17 and 50, come away with an offensive tackle and a pass rusher. There was also talk that the front office is weighing defensive end as strongly as tackle. Either way, the path was set. Protect the quarterback. Hit the quarterback. Do both by the end of Day 2. Tight End Talk and a Big-Board Curveball First-round tight end? No. That was the blunt answer. The crew would be stunned if the Detroit Lions opened with a tight end. A twist came from the show’s consensus big board. The 17th-ranked player there is a tight end. But that is a ranking, not a Lions projection. The board explains talent tiers. It does not predict Detroit’s card. The Podcast kept circling back to need and value. In this NFL, tackle at 17 tracks with both. Roster Notes, Anzalone Chatter, and What’s Next There was a sidebar on Alex Anzalone’s recent comments. He discussed returning, with the head coach wanting that outcome, while ownership and the front office reportedly felt otherwise. Quarterback talk surfaced too. A first-round quarterback did not feel imminent. That room is heavy, and health for the young pieces matters before any verdicts. Late in the segment, a pair of names came up as unlikely options at 17, with the belief that one of them might be gone anyway. The show closed with a programming note. A bigger draft roundtable is planned for early next week, with a full mock on deck. The Detroit Lions Podcast will line up the scenarios and run them, pick by pick. #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #nfldraft #offensivetackle #passrusher #pick17 #pick50 #tightendfirstround #alexanzalone #dancampbell #mockdraftroundtable #consensusbigboard #mattmiller #procter #manu #venga Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Russell Brown and Scott Bischoff returned to the Detroit Lions Podcast after a week off and put the focus squarely on pick 17. Fifteen days out from the 2026 NFL Draft, the Lions’ board and one Alabama offensive tackle dominated the run-up: Proctor. National chatter says he will not get past Detroit at 17. That includes a high-profile voice saying, "there's no way Proctor gets past the Lions." The room wrestled with whether that is smoke or a signal. Proctor at 17: Plan or Smokescreen? The Lions need clarity on value at 17. Proctor brings size and traits. He played left tackle at Alabama and could be asked to move inside. Brown graded him as a late second-round player on film. He did not love three of four games studied, pointing to Wisconsin, Georgia, and Oklahoma as uneven outings. The size is undeniable at roughly 6-foot-7 and 352, with reports he played closer to 370 last season. He can reach. He can pull. He transfers weight from his post foot to his set foot with ease. The issues show up in balance. Oversets. The game speeds him up and knocks him off course. He needs to find a comfortable playing weight. Detroit’s decision at 17 might hinge on whether the front office sees a guard conversion, a future left tackle, or a developmental swing who buys time. There is also top-10 buzz for Proctor. Cleveland at six, Kansas City at nine, and Cincinnati at ten were floated as tackle-needy spots. If even one of them prefers him inside, his market shifts. If they see a long-term tackle, he may never reach 17. Arizona’s Leverage Over the First Round The conversation kept circling back to Arizona at three. The Cardinals, in their view, want out. If a team jumps Tennessee at four, the ripple could blow up every mock draft. A move down to the mid-first would let Arizona collect capital and still target another tackle later. That single trade could push a run at offensive line and change Detroit’s choices. If tackles come off early, the Lions may face a decision on a player they like less than the number on the board. If the run stalls, options expand. What It Means for Detroit If Proctor reaches 17, the Lions must weigh traits against tape. They can bet on a rare frame, movement skills, and coaching up balance. They can pass and pivot to another position. Or they can trade the pick. The NFL is about fit and timing. On this week’s Detroit Lions Podcast, the debate was simple and sharp: if Proctor is there, is he the right kind of bet for Detroit at 17? #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #nfldraft #pick17 #danieljeremiah #alabamaoffensivetackle #proctor #lefttackle #moveinsidetoguard #balanceissues #oversetting #reachandpull #arizonaatthree #clevelandatsix #kansascityatnine #cincinnatiatten Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One Year Ago, the Mocks Missed Two weeks from the 2026 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions Podcast rewinds to last spring. The mock draft pulse around Detroit told one story. The actual first round told another. The board buzzed with edge rushers and tackles. Derek Horton from Oregon surfaced. Kelvin Banks and Grey Campbell showed up. Donovan Esaraku led the projections to pick 28. Jihad Campbell appeared in multiple runs. Nick Skorton and Michael Williams stayed popular among the edge crowd. The problem was fit. Linebacker was not the urgent need some insisted it was. Jack Campbell was rising into an all‑pro level performer. Alex Anzalone held the room and covered space. Depth existed until Malcolm Rodriguez’s injury later in the year. The frenzy still pushed front‑seven names, mostly edges, into the Lions slot because it felt safe. The Pick Few Saw Coming The Detroit Lions took Tylek Williams, defensive tackle from Ohio State, in the first round. Almost no mock two weeks out had that connection. One social post on March 10, 2025, put Williams as a first‑round expectation after the combine. Then the projection shifted. Confidence wavered. Two days before the draft, a strong league voice said Williams would be the pick. That tip got ignored. The card in Detroit matched the early combine read, not the late‑cycle noise. The lesson is clear. Information gathered at the NFL combine tends to hold up. Pro days, public trackers, and the mock churn can blur the picture. The 2025 cycle did exactly that. It pushed a wave of edges and a linebacker into focus while the Detroit Lions quietly lined up a disruptive defensive tackle. The 2026 Takeaway As the 2026 NFL Draft approaches, remember what actually aligned with the pick a year ago. Combine intel mattered. Need still mattered. The perception that Brad Holmes refuses to draft for need gets overstated. The stronger takeaway is more precise. He does not force edge early if the board and role do not match value. Expect heavy speculation again. You will see more edges mocked to Detroit. You will see another linebacker or two. That happened last year with Donovan Esaraku, Jihad Campbell, Nick Skorton, and Michael Williams cycling through the slot. The room, the roles, and the Lions priorities will decide, not the volume of projections. Last spring offered a blunt reminder. The earliest accurate breadcrumb came out of Indianapolis. It pointed to Tylek Williams and interior disruption. The late noise washed it out. Detroit still made the right call. Keep that framework close as the clock ticks toward the 2026 first round. #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #tylekwilliams #nfldraft #mockdrafts #defensivetackle #combineintel #donovanesaraku #jihadcampbell #jackcampbell #alexanzalone #malcolmrodriguez #edgerusher #nickskorton #michaelwilliams #bradholmes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What No. 17 Is Really Worth Two weeks from the NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions Podcast put real numbers and real names on pick No. 17. Trade charts help, but they are not law. The team that moves up usually pays around a 10 percent premium. Sometimes the mover wins. Often the mover does not. It comes down to the player. That was the headline takeaway. The Detroit Lions can trade up, trade back, or flip 17 for a player. History says the return swings with the evaluation, not the math. The NFL market at 17 has receipts to prove it. Receipts from Recent No. 17 Deals The last time the 17th pick moved, it cost real capital. Seventeen went for No. 23, No. 67, plus a third and a fourth in 2025. Minnesota moved up with Jacksonville to take Dallas Turner. The edge from Alabama has not matched that price. Jacksonville stayed at 23 and took Brian Thomas, a potential Pro Bowler. One of those future picks turned into safety Caleb Branch. The Lions were even tangentially involved in the chain before it moved again. In 2023, 17 and 120 were packaged to climb to 14. The 14th pick became Braxton Jones at tackle. Solid, but not elite. Staying at 17 yielded Christian Gonzales at corner. The 120th pick spun out and landed as Carter Warren. The side that moved back came out ahead on player value. In 2019, 17 became the centerpiece in a blockbuster. Picks 17 and 95, plus Kevin Zeitler and Jabrill Peppers, went from Cleveland to New York for Odell Beckham Jr. and Olivier Vernon. No. 17 turned into Dexter Lawrence. No. 95 became O'Shane Niese, a pass rusher with a brief cup of coffee. Beckham sparked a short window, but the bigger lesson sits up front: Lawrence is a cornerstone. Vernon offered a template for balancing a star rusher with a different stylistic bookend. What It Means for Detroit at 17 The math says expect a surcharge to go up. The tape says only pay it for a difference maker. Trading back from 17 can win if the board lines up and the player at 23 is better than the one at 14. The episode also hit fit. The Christian Gonzales discussion in Detroit underlined how passion and habits matter. If a prospect does not love football, he is off the board. That applies at corner, edge, and everywhere. On defense, the model opposite Aidan Hutchinson looks like Olivier Vernon next to Myles Garrett. A complementary rusher with power, variety, and enough standalone juice to punish single blocks. Detroit’s safety room is solid, so a veteran like Jabrill Peppers is not a priority. Use No. 17 to secure the right player, or use it as currency. The NFL has shown the price. The Detroit Lions must decide if the player is worth it. #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #nfldraft #17thpick #10%moveuptax #dallasturner #brianthomas #braxtonjones #christiangonzales #carterwarren #odellbeckhamjr. #oliviervernon #dexterlawrence #jabrillpeppers #mylesgarrett #aidanhutchinson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Right Tackle Becomes the Mock Draft Bulls‑Eye The Detroit Lions keep showing up at No. 17 with an offensive tackle in new mock drafts. The trend is specific now. Right tackle is the target. In a sample of more than 20 mocks, two names dominate over half the projections: Monroe Fraley of Georgia and Blake Miller of Thompson. The NFL board is shifting, and the Detroit Lions Podcast zeroed in on why. The calculus starts with Detroit’s line configuration. The Lions appear open to moving Penei Sewell to left tackle. That elevates right tackle to a priority. The board dynamics matter too. Colon Proctor is rising. He even appeared in a few mocks to Detroit at 17, but the expectation here is a top‑10 landing because size and movement like that rarely linger. Monroe Fraley: High-Ceiling Athlete, Light on Reps Fraley plays left tackle. He moves well. He flashes the traits teams covet in the middle of Round 1. But inexperience shows up. The tape has technique drift. The footwork gets loose. There is some leaning. The start count tells the story. Sixteen starts leaves a gap to bridge at NFL speed. That is the push and pull with Fraley in the 10-to-20 range. If he lands in Detroit, the upside is obvious. The concern is the learning curve. Daily work against Aidan Hutchinson would speed development, but that is a two-edged sword. There is a real example of how constant domination in practice can dent a young player’s confidence. Cam Wimbley splashed as a rookie, then ran into Joe Thomas and hit a wall. That caution applies broadly. Jeff Okuda felt some of that pressure in Detroit practices too. Fraley can improve, and his athletic profile suggests he will, but the on-ramp needs managing. Blake Miller: Experienced Power, Plug-and-Play Path Miller is a right tackle by trade. He is athletic, though not as fluid as Fraley in space. He wins more with power. The experience stands out: 47 starts. The growth from 2024 to 2025 jumps off the film. He sealed the outside more consistently. He found and finished targets at the second level instead of just arriving late. That matters on Sundays. Because the Lions may slide Sewell to the left side, Miller’s profile fits the immediate need. He can line up at right tackle and start. The floor feels higher, the timeline cleaner. Fraley could be gone before 17. He could also be there. Miller offers a steadier answer if the board breaks that way. Either would address the Detroit Lions’ top offensive priority. The question at 17 is simple: chase Fraley’s ceiling or bank Miller’s readiness while the NFL board churns around Colon Proctor’s rise. #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #monroefraley #blakemiller #righttackle #lefttackle #detroitlionspick17 #nflmockdrafts #colonproctor #top10projection #peneisewell #aidanhutchinsonpractice #secondlevelblocking #sealingtheedge #footworkandtechnique #experiencegap16vs47starts #jeffokuda Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Receivers Slide, Tackles Rise Three weeks out from the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, the Detroit Lions Podcast unloaded bold calls that reshuffle needs and tiers across the NFL. The headline is blunt. No wide receivers will be selected in the top 10. Arnold Tate profiles as a strong number two, but without J Jr. speed or Amon-Ra Saint Brown’s middle-field wins. Jordan Tyson’s talent pops, but a crucial workout and injuries cloud his range. The trench market takes the lift. Hatten Proctor is pegged for the top 10 and could be the first or second offensive tackle taken. He is a specimen with workable tape. If he is gone early, the Detroit Lions avoid that decision at 17. At the top, the show framed Ryan Mendoza to the Raiders as the early chalk, then flipped with a bolder claim: Las Vegas will not take Ford Mendoza after signing Kirk Cousins today. Quarterback Chess at 32 The quarterback twist comes at the back of round one, but in the 2026 draft. The call: Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson goes 32 overall. Not to Seattle. That slot gets traded. The logic is twofold. A team jumps to 32 to lock the fifth-year option and to shut down overnight bidding from clubs holding picks 33 and 34. Simpson needs work and starts, but the projection has the NFL making the move and Simpson becoming the second quarterback off that board. Safety Run Shapes Lions at 17 The secondary drives the night between 10 and 20. Three safeties go in that window: Caleb Downs from Ohio State, Dylan Spielman from Oregon by way of Purdue, and Emmanuel McNeill Warren from Toledo. Consensus boards slot McNeill Warren around 26, but the tape and the body in person say upside. Vikings chatter points hard to Spielman at 18, echoing past Minnesota tells. If Caleb Downs is on the board at 17 and the Detroit Lions pass, the fallback must be special. One First-Round Fall Utah offensive tackle Campbell Holmes is forecast outside round one. It is a contrarian call, and it lands with weight in a class where tackles crowd the top half. If Holmes slips, the board compresses for teams chasing linemen in the 20s. That could push another safety or corner toward 17 and test the Detroit Lions’ resolve if the run hits earlier than expected. #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #nfldraft #pick17 #nowidereceiversintop10 #arnoldtate #jordantysonworkout #hattenproctortop10 #offensivetackleboard #tysimpsonat32 #fifth-yearoption #safetyrun10-20 #calebdowns #dylanspielman #emmanuelmcneillwarren #vikingspick18 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tackle Tops Detroit’s To-Do List Draft month opened with a narrow focus. The Detroit Lions Podcast zeroed in on offensive tackle as the biggest hole on a strong roster. Jeff Risdon and Chris agreed the priority is clear. Detroit would love more bendy edge Rodgers, but history says that is not a typical target. The path to improvement runs through the offensive line. Manu Freeling at No. 2: Movement and Power Chris has Manu Freeling as the number two overall player on his board. The traits drive the grade. Rare size to NFL caliber power. Nimble in space. Explosive off the ball. On screens and climbs to the second level, the movement pops. He does not wander and miss second-level targets. The issues are not physical. They are reps and time. Jeff summed it up. What is wrong is inexperience, not ability. In a class light on blue chip talent, Freeling’s package at left tackle stands out. That blend at a premium spot anchors the ranking. Hatten Proctor’s Profile and the 17 Question Chris stacked Hatten Proctor eighth overall. The sell is simple. He is a very large man around 350 pounds with supreme length. He is ready from a strength perspective. The anchor holds. He generates torque in the run game. He will not match Freeling or Maui Noah in speed to the second level, but his movement at that size is impressive. He is only 20 years old. The upside window is wide. Rushers need time to run the arc around him because the frame is so big. Three and a half seconds can pass before contact lands on the quarterback. That matters. Jeff asked if Proctor will last to 17. The answer may come fast on draft night. The panel agreed the range is tight for a tackle with that profile. Inside the Draft Gradebook Tool Chris also previewed his Draft Gradebook project. It is an archive of over 1,500 independent scouting reports from the 2021 class through 2026. It features an AI search and archetype searches. Type in “bendy edge Rodgers” and pull every match. He has around 170 prospects logged for 2026 and aims for about 250 by draft time. A free preview is live this week. Draft day mode adds best available, a draft tracker, biggest deals, and team hubs so fans can follow every pick in one place. For Detroit Lions fans, that means clearer context when the board starts moving at offensive tackle. #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #2026nfldraft #monroefreeling #kadynproctor #scoutingreports #blakemiller #lionsdraft Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ragnow Bonus Dispute Hits the Detroit Lions The Detroit Lions asked Frank Ragnow to repay part of his signing bonus after he stopped playing last season. He is no longer with the team. He tried to return around Thanksgiving but was not physically able to do it. The amount sought is not public. The move ignited a firestorm around the NFL and inside the fan base. The team’s position is clear. A contract was signed. The terms were not fulfilled. The franchise believes in setting precedent. The Lions have followed this policy before, including with Calvin Johnson and Barry Sanders. Deterrence is part of the logic. If a player leaves early, the team can ask for money back. That is the business case the Detroit Lions are leaning on. Optics, Player Reactions, and Free Agency Fallout The optics are ugly. Even if the policy stands, it looks petty and cheap to many. That perception matters. Players see it. Agents see it. In a tight market, one bad vibe can send a free agent to another city. Alex Anzalone bristled at it. Quandre Diggs spoke up too. Diggs has always said he loved Detroit. His tenure ended when Matt Patricia shipped him out, and he flourished after. He called this move a bad look. That sentiment travels around the NFL, and it sticks. The Detroit Lions do not want to be viewed as doing their own guys dirty. The calculation is cold. Save some money now and risk losing goodwill later. The Detroit Lions Podcast framed it squarely: perception could be the difference when a prominent free agent chooses between Detroit and Team X. Leverage, Policy, and What Players Can Do TJ Lang cut to the core. If you want to protect your money, make the team release you. You lose leverage when you retire. That is the hard line of NFL contracts. Once you retire, the club can pursue bonus payback under its policy. If the team releases you, it cannot. Rod Wood made it known the Lions are seeking repayment. Dave Burkett reported it. The policy predates this regime. It ties back to the same stance used with Sanders and Johnson. The Lions see consistency. Many see a needless wound. Frank Ragnow’s situation is complicated. He gave what he could. He tried to come back at Thanksgiving. He could not. Now the team wants money back, and the blowback is real. The Detroit Lions want to enforce standards. The rest of the NFL is judging the standard they chose. #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #frankragnow #signingbonusrepayment #chuckclark #dametriouscrownover #nflfreeagencyperception #lionsfanreaction Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Campbell’s stance on Sewell and the line Dan Campbell used the NFL owners meetings in Arizona to make one thing clear. He is open, even preferential, to moving Penei Sewell from right tackle to left tackle. That headline changes how the Detroit Lions approach the spring. Sewell will excel wherever he lines up. There are zero worries about his performance. The context matters. The Lions might have a new left guard this year. They do have a new center in Bates Mays. That is a lot of change in the middle of an elite unit. Continuity counts. Fewer moving pieces usually help. Campbell’s view suggests the staff is comfortable reshaping the front to fit the bigger plan. Right tackle reality and draft ripple Brad Holmes, in last week’s sit-down, essentially anointed Larry Borom as the starting right tackle without using the exact phrase. As of today, it is hard to see anyone else opening Week 1 on the right side. His contract is for one year, so the long term is still open. But the near term points to Borom. That alters draft calculus. Detroit does not have to take a tackle at 17. They can wait. The second round now looks more viable for a tackle. Trading around to target a value pocket makes sense. It also cools interest in left-tackle-only prospects. Caleb Holmes fits that bucket. Caleb Lomu was an early favorite there if 17 had been earmarked for offense. With Sewell at left tackle and Borom on the right, profiles shift. Blake Miller, a natural right tackle who looks ready to start, fits the current board better, whether at 17 or later. Edge talk at 17 and board shaping Holmes also discussed the edge group, with DJ Oneum in the mix. That points the first-round lens back to defense. The instincts about Kendrick Small at 17 feel firmer after this week. If it is not Falk, there is still a clean case for TJ Parker. Akeem Mesa remains in the conversation. The picture is not final, but the tiers are clearer. Yesterday’s mock draft on the Detroit Lions Podcast explored trade paths and explained the logic through each move. Today’s update tightens that logic. Sewell to left tackle. Borom trending at right tackle. A deeper tackle board available after the first round. Edge rising at 17. That is how the Lions can attack April. It is a plan that fits Campbell’s comments and the current roster structure. Short term clarity. Long term flexibility. The kind of balance good teams use to stay good. #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #dancampbell #peneisewellatlefttackle #larryborom #bradholmes #nflownersmeetings #levionwuzurike #djwonnum #josiahtrotter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mock Draft 3.0 on the Detroit Lions Podcast put trades on the table. Jeff Risdon charted plausible moves and a first round that ends with Clemson edge TJ Parker in Detroit. The approach targeted value, added picks, and stayed aligned with how the Detroit Lions build their defense in the NFL. Trade Down with Houston Reshapes Round 1 At No. 17, a deal with the Houston Texans set the tone. Houston offered No. 28, No. 69, and a 2027 sixth-round pick. Detroit sent back No. 17, No. 157, and a 2027 seventh. The trade-value math favored Detroit. The aggressive team usually pays about a 10 percent tax to move up, and this one fit that pattern. Houston used the move to grab Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods. Detroit slid to 28 and took TJ Parker, Edge, Clemson. The board cooperated. The drop secured extra capital without losing the preferred profile at edge defender. Why TJ Parker Fits Detroit's Front Parker matches what Detroit wants across from Hutchinson. He plays power to speed and can flip it to speed to power. He is a little smaller than the typical prototype, but his style answers that. He had a down year in 2025. Even so, last August and early September mock drafts often projected him as the first defensive player off the board. At the combine, he explained the dip with poise. He did not bury Clemson’s coaching. He handled it diplomatically. That maturity reads well in Allen Park. Value matters here. Risdon liked Parker at 17, but he liked him more at 28. He likes almost any player more at 28 than at 17. Landing the same target at a lower slot while pocketing No. 69 and a future asset checks boxes for roster building. How the Board and Process Shaped the Pick Reider Falk was gone at 21 to the Steelers. On the clock at 28, options included Vaki Reader, Max, and Blake Miller. Those names fit areas Detroit could weigh. This mock projects what the Lions would do, not a personal wish list. The "what I would do" edition comes closer to draft weekend. The process mattered. Player availability was cross-checked on multiple simulators without using their trade engines. The exercise aimed for plausible outcomes. Houston’s current needs made their jump for defensive line make sense. They have upgraded three starting offensive line spots and still need one more, but defensive line looms larger. Detroit capitalized on that urgency, then found a clean schematic fit in Parker at 28. #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #nfl #mockdraft3.0 #t.j.parker #clemsonfootball #blakemiller Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices