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The 2026 NFL Draft is fast approaching which makes it a good time to review the Lions’ <\/a>positional needs and how it may impact their draft strategy. Last year, defensive tackle got the biggest combined need score<\/a>, and the Lions<\/a> indeed filled that position in the 1st round with Tyleik Williams.<\/p>\n For the complete offensive positional breakdown, read Detroit Lions 2026 Draft Needs: OFFENSE Positional Rankings + Injury Impact.<\/a><\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n The following is the review of the OT position.<\/p>\n The combined need score is the summation of positional need (0-5) plus medical concern level (0-5). The higher the score, the greater the need. I\u2019m reserving the focus to the starters and key backups here, with health of the starters weighted more heavily.<\/p>\n (In parentheses are player age at the start of the 2026 season, signed-through year, and medical concern level.) *Projected starters.<\/p>\n *<\/strong>Penei Sewell (25, 2029, 1\/10) – Inconceivably, this 4x Pro Bowler is the same age as many incoming rookies. His ankle and shoulder were banged up last season but there are no signs of significant concern.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Larry Borom<\/a>\u00a0(27, 2026, 3\/10) – Multiple ankle injuries could be bad luck or signs of a trend. If the Lions don\u2019t get a 1st-round OT (or reconcile with Taylor Decker) , Borom is probably the starter.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Giovanni Manu (25, 2027, 5\/10) – A 3+ month recovery from an unspecified knee injury is worrisome. There hasn’t been optimism from the Lions this offseason that he is starting material.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n The\u00a0loss of Taylor Decker<\/a>\u00a0leaves an extinction-level meteor hole at OT entering the draft. Expect a 1st-round OT to start in 2026.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Behind Sewell, there are some moderate health concerns. The Lions would be wise to select an OT with low medical risk in the draft.<\/p>\n For more\u00a0Lions<\/a>\u00a0coverage, follow us on X,\u00a0@TheLionsWire<\/a>, and give our\u00a0Facebook<\/a>\u00a0page a like<\/em>.\u00a0Follow Jimmy on X,\u00a0@JimmyLiaoMD<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Detroit Lions 2026 NFL Draft Need Analysis: Offensive Tackle<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\nOffensive tackle<\/h2>\n
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Positional need 5\/5<\/h4>\n
Medical concern 2\/5<\/h4>\n
TOTAL 7\/10<\/h4>\n