With a week to go until the 2026 NFL Draft, a lot of pundits continue to debate what line the Detroit Lions should address in the first round. NFL.com’s Chad Reuter, though, left little doubt, arguing the Lions should aggressively add a tackle to pair with Penei Sewell.
Reuter argued this week that not only should Detroit target an offensive tackle, the team should “rock” the first round with a trade up to land one.
The offensive tackle Reuter has his eyes on for the Lions is Utah’s Spencer Fano.
“I would love to see Detroit move up in the first round from 17th overall to select offensive lineman Spencer Fano,” wrote Reuter. His hard-nosed blocking fits the attitude Dan Campbell desires up front, and the Lions aren’t afraid to take chances on talented players with question marks — like when they took Penei Sewell seventh overall in 2021 despite his below-ideal length.
“I’d expect Detroit to give Fano a shot at right tackle — with Sewell transitioning to the left side to replace Taylor Decker — even though many project the Utah prospect to move inside because of his sub-33 inch arms.”
Could Lions Trade Up for Spencer Fano?
GettyNFL pundits expect Utah’s Spencer Fano to be one of the first offensive linemen to be selected in the 2026 NFL Draft.
There are mock drafts that have the Lions getting Fano by staying where they currently sit in the first round. Detroit owns the No. 17 overall pick in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
But Fano appears unlikely to fall out of the first half of the first round.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. ranked Fano the No. 11 overall prospect in the 2026 Draft class. On Kiper’s big board, Fano sat one spot behind the ESPN analyst’s top tackle in the entire draft.
“Fano started 12 games at left tackle in 2023 before moving to the right side in 2024, and he started 24 games there over two seasons,” wrote Kiper. “He is technically sound, ran 4.91 in the 40-yard dash and shows good punch to compensate for his lack of ideal arm length.
“But with 32⅛-inch arms, I think he could kick inside in the pros.”
NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah also argued Fano would be best served at guard. Jeremiah ranked the Utah product as the No. 13 overall prospect on his big board.
Fano’s shorter arms are the biggest cause for concern with him playing tackle at the NFL level. Reuter pointed to Sewell, though, who had the same issue entering the league.
Sewell has grown into a star with the Lions at right tackle. So, it would make sense the Lions are comfortable with Fano’s length, potentially even in a trade up scenario.
Lions Encouraged to Flip Penei Sewell to Left Tackle
GettyNFL.com’s Chad Reuter proposed the Detroit Lions trade up in the 2026 NFL Draft to land a new offensive tackle to pair with Penei Sewell.
Few NFL analysts, though, would probably be on board with an NFL team starting Fano at left tackle, especially immediately. The Lions have a hole at left tackle after the release of veteran Taylor Decker.
So, to make a Fano selection — with a trade up or not — work, the Lions must strongly consider Sewell flipping to left tackle.
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