The Detroit Lions are moments away from the 2026 NFL draft, and now, they know who will call their first pick during the event. The multi-day extravaganza is set for April 23 through 25 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and the Lions will have nine picks, the first being at No. 17.
Ahead of the draft, NFL analysts and experts are leaning into their picks for who the Detroit Lions will take with that No. 17 selection. While nobody knows what the team will do until the day arrives, we do now know who will be calling the first-round pick for Detroit.
On Thursday, April 16, the NFL announced a tally of football legends and active players who have been selected to call their team’s early draft picks. For Detroit, it’s none other than the legendary Calvin Johnson, who was drafted by the Lions back in 2007.
Detroit Lions Great Calvin Johnson to Present the Team’s Friday Draft Pick
Johnson, according to MLive, will be in Pittsburgh to announce the team’s pick on Friday, April 24, of the draft. “As of now, the Lions have the 50th overall pick in the second round, and that’s it for that day, so he’s penciled for that one,” Benjamin Raven of the outlet explains.
He adds, “The NFL called on several current and former players to announce picks on the second day, including Jerome Bettis, Curtis Martin, Joey Porter Jr., Matt Millen and Pat McAfee as some of the other recognizable names set to announce picks on Friday.”
Johnson was drafted to the Lions 19 years ago with the second overall pick in the draft. He proved to be an excellent addition and made four All-Pro teams, six Pro Bowls and the All-Decade team for the 2010s, as well as the Pro Football Hall of Fame. So, the Lions got it right when they drafted Johnson.
It will be fun to watch this Lions icon take the stage in Pittsburgh. Let’s hope he brings good luck to the draft pick.
Detroit Lions Go With Offensive Tackle Early in the Draft in Mock Projection
So, what moves will the Detroit Lions make in the draft? Jacob Camenker of USA Today thinks they’ll go with offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor out of Alabama for their No. 17 selection.
“The Lions have a massive need at offensive tackle after releasing Taylor Decker and seeing Dan Skipper retire,” he notes, which is totally the case. He adds that Proctor, at 6’7″ and 352 pounds, “has the size and movement skills needed to develop into a quality left tackle and an elite bookend for All-Pro Penei Sewell.”
Another left tackle option is Monroe Freeling out of Georgia, Camenker adds, who’s a name that’s popped up a lot in mock drafts. Or, his third choice is tackle Blake Miller out of Clemson. “If Detroit wants to play Sewell at left tackle, it could target Miller as a plug-and-play option on the right side of the line.” Any of these player would help beef up the Detroit Lions’ defense.
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