Building the Next Generation in Motown: Five Prospects Who Could Transform Detroit's Cornerstone at Pick 17

The Detroit Lions stand at an inflection point that only a few franchises experience in a generation. After years of futility and organizational flux, they have built something genuinely competitive in the Motor City. Ben Johnson's arrival as offensive coordinator last offseason, combined with the continued development of Jared Goff under the tutelage of a staff that finally seems to understand his strengths, has created an unexpected renaissance that nobody in the national media saw coming. But here is the essential truth about championship windows: they close quickly if you do not continue to stock your roster with talent at positions where you can find impact players. The Lions head into the 2026 draft with a clear mandate at the top of their board. They need offensive line help, specifically on the tackle position where age and durability concerns loom large.

Yet I have spent the last several weeks studying tape from college campuses across the country, and I cannot help but believe that the Lions might be making a critical mistake if they become too rigid in their thinking at No. 17 overall. Yes, the need for offensive line depth is real and pressing. But what if the board breaks differently than everyone expects? What if a generational talent at a different position suddenly becomes available? The beautiful thing about being a scout in this era is that we cannot predict exactly how teams will value players, how interviews will move the needle, or how a player's pro day performance will shift the narrative around their draft stock.

With that in mind, let me walk you through five prospects who could realistically land on the Lions' radar at pick 17, any of whom could represent the kind of foundational addition that transforms a defense or unlocks additional potential on offense.

First, we must discuss Travis Sittinger, the edge rusher from Oklahoma who has absolutely exploded onto the national scene over the last calendar year. At 6 foot 3 and 245 pounds, Sittinger ran a 4.63 at the combine, which admittedly is not going to blow anyone away in terms of measurables. But those numbers do not tell the story of a player who has become one of the most disruptive forces in college football. Watching Sittinger on film is like watching a maestro conduct an orchestra. He understands leverage like few players in this draft class. He understands how to use his hands to shed blocks and reset his angle to the quarterback. The Lions defense needs to continue to evolve, and their edge rush has been a point of conversation both internally and externally. Sittinger would provide versatility in their scheme, the ability to line up in multiple positions, and that rare quality of improving week in and week out throughout a season. His tape from October looks different from his tape in November, which looks different from his tape in the College Football Playoff. That kind of trajectory is exactly what you look for in a prospect who has the potential to become a cornerstone defensive player.

Second, consider Alabama wide receiver Jalen Milroe, who has transitioned from quarterback to receiver and is now generating legitimate first-round considerations. At 6 foot 2 and 210 pounds with the ability to line him up in the slot or on the perimeter, Milroe represents the kind of chess piece that modern NFL offenses are desperate to acquire. The Lions have invested heavily in their receiving corps, but there is always room for another dynamic playmaker, particularly one who can line him up in unconventional ways. Ben Johnson, who has engineered some of the most creative offensive schemes in recent memory, would relish the opportunity to work with a talent like Milroe. His athleticism is off the charts. His understanding of space and how to work defenders is advanced beyond his years as a positional receiver. This is someone who could come in and contribute immediately on third downs while also providing value as a chess piece in red zone packages.

The third prospect we need to discuss is Marcus Freeman Jr., the defensive tackle from Texas A&M. At 6 foot 2 and 305 pounds, Freeman possesses the kind of interior lineman presence that has become increasingly rare. He runs a 5.02 in the forty-yard dash, which is solid for a man of his size, and his ability to control gaps and set the edge from the interior has really caught my attention. The Lions have made investments on defense, but there is genuine question marks about depth along the middle of the line. Freeman is the kind of prospect who does not necessarily jump off the tape with highlight plays, but when you study tape with the goal of understanding how an offense is being dictated, you see Freeman's fingerprints all over the action. He is moving the line of scrimmage. He is collapsing pockets. He is the kind of foundational defensive player who becomes more valuable as time goes on because he is doing all the dirty work in the trenches.

Fourth, let me introduce you to Isaiah Franklin, a tackle from Oregon who has generated considerable buzz among scouts and analysts. At 6 foot 6 and 310 pounds, Franklin has the physical profile that NFL teams covet at the tackle position. His combine performance included a 4.98 forty-yard dash, which is acceptable for a man his size, and his other measurables were similarly strong. But here is what really matters: Franklin plays with consistency and discipline. He understands hand placement. He understands how to maintain his base throughout the play. He understands the nuances of footwork that separate average offensive linemen from elite ones. If the Lions' plan is to find additional depth at tackle, Franklin represents a prospect who could slide into a protection package immediately and contribute at a high level without needing an extensive developmental period.

Finally, we arrive at cornerback Javon Bennett from LSU, who in my estimation might be the most underrated prospect in this particular draft class. At 5 foot 11 and 195 pounds, Bennett does not have the ideal height profile for a boundary corner, but he has compensated for it with intelligence, instincts, and the kind of ball awareness that suggests he understands route concepts before they fully develop. His sixty-inch vertical jump and his exceptional shuttle times demonstrate an athlete with elite-level capacity to transition and move. Bennett would provide competition in Detroit's secondary and could develop into a legitimate starting corner in a cover-two based scheme that could maximize his strengths.

The verdict here is one that requires wisdom and perspective. The Lions should indeed prioritize addressing the tackle position if the right prospect is available at No. 17. But they should also maintain flexibility and maintain their commitment to acquiring the best talent available, regardless of positional need. Any of these five prospects could represent a meaningful addition to a roster that is genuinely competing for playoff positioning. The draft is as much about maintaining discipline as it is about taking risks, and Detroit has learned that lesson the hard way over the past two decades.