Another Texas Tech Pass Rusher Heads to Allen Park
The Lions grabbed another defensive line piece in the sixth round, taking Texas Tech’s Skyler Gill-Howard. And yes, I know what you’re thinking. Another late-round flier on a pass rusher. But this one comes with some interesting wrinkles.
The Good News About Gill-Howard
Here’s the thing that jumps off the tape immediately. This defensive tackle had a 55-yard pick six. A defensive tackle. Running 55 yards. For a touchdown.
That tells you everything about his athleticism, and it’s not just a fluke highlight. Gill-Howard isn’t going to be stuffing gaps as a nose guard in Honolulu Blue. He’s a pass-rushing defensive tackle who posted 29 pressures and five sacks in 2025. Pro Football Focus graded his run-stuffing ability as high as 87.9, but make no mistake about what this guy does best.
The versatility factor is real too. He lined up at defensive end for Texas Tech and played linebacker in high school and at Northern Illinois. In a league where flexibility matters, that’s not nothing.
The Concerns That Keep You Up at Night
Here’s where it gets tricky, and you know how Lions fans feel about tricky. Gill-Howard looked good at Northern Illinois, but when he stepped up to Texas Tech, he seemed smaller in a bigger pond. Playing alongside David Bailey, Romello Height, and Lee Hunter will do that. All those guys got drafted higher, which makes you wonder if his Northern Illinois tape was more about beating up on lesser competition.
Then there’s the ankle surgery in October that ended his season. He tested well at his pro day and looked healthy, but we’ve seen this movie before. Injuries have a way of lingering, especially for guys who rely on their athleticism.
The Scouting Report Reality Check
Dane Brugler from The Beast laid it out pretty clearly. Gill-Howard is a self-made player who went from Division II walk-on to scout-team linebacker to impactful defensive tackle. That’s the kind of journey you can respect.
But Brugler also noted the obvious concerns. He lacks ideal size and length for trench work, which puts him at a disadvantage. His athleticism allows him to slice through gaps, but in the NFL, everyone is athletic. The question becomes whether that’s enough when you’re giving up size and length to guys who are also fast.
The leadership capabilities are there, and NFL coaches will notice. Sometimes that matters more than measurables in the sixth round.
Is this another smart late-round gamble or are we setting ourselves up for disappointment again? Tell me what you think in the comments below.
I love the versatility angle here. A guy who can line up all over the place gives us options and thats what good teams do. The 55 yard pick six alone shows hes got the athleticism to make plays we dont expect. Im all in on this one.
Yeah but heres my thing – we keep drafting these athletic guys in the later rounds hoping theyre the next hidden gem and it just hasnt worked out enough times. The ankle surgery concerns me too because when youre undersized already, an ankle issue could really limit what you can do.
This kid reminds me of the kinds of finds we used to get excited about way back. Started as a walk-on, worked his way up, has the heart for it. You gotta respect that kind of story even if the tape isnt perfect. Sometimes those guys surprise you.
The leadership thing jumping out to scouts is huge to me. Thats the intangible that cant really be taught and it sounds like Gill-Howard has it. Combined with the athleticism, I think this could be a steal if his ankle holds up.