Lions Add Some Grit to the D-Line
The Detroit Lions used the 205th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on Texas Tech defensive tackle Skyler Gill-Howard, grabbing another piece for what’s becoming a loaded defensive front. At 6-foot-1, 280 pounds, this isn’t your typical space-eating nose tackle.
Gill-Howard is built more like a three-tech pass rusher. The numbers back that up too. In 2024, with Northern Illinois, he put together a solid season with 52 tackles, eight tackles for loss, and 5.0 sacks.
Then came the transfer to Texas Tech and the injury bug that Lions fans know all too well. An ankle injury cut his 2025 season short to just six games. In that limited time, he managed 13 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, and one hell of a pick-six that had Red Raiders fans losing their minds.
The Grit Factor
Here’s what should get Lions fans excited. Gill-Howard scored a 9.42 on the Grit Index, making him the highest-rated interior defender and eighth-highest in the entire draft class regardless of position. That’s the kind of football character this franchise has been built on.
You know what that means. This kid fits the Allen Park culture.
Where He Fits
In Detroit, Gill-Howard will battle for a reserve role behind Alim McNeill, Levi Onwuzurike, and Tyleik Williams. He’ll be going head-to-head with Mekhi Wingo for snaps.
The Lions have one more dart to throw in this draft. Their final pick comes in the seventh round at 222 overall.
The Draft So Far
This marks the sixth pick for Detroit, following offensive tackle Blake Miller, edge rusher Derrick Moore, linebacker Jimmy Rolder, cornerback Keith Abney, and wide receiver Kendrick Law. The front office has been busy checking boxes on both sides of the ball.
With tight end and nose tackle still on the wishlist, that final seventh-round pick could address one more need. Or they could go completely off the board because, well, that’s what draft day does to you.
Is adding another defensive tackle with injury concerns classic Lions luck or smart depth building? Let me know what you think in the comments.
A 9.42 grit score and he’s the highest rated interior defender? That’s exactly the kind of guy you want in the trenches. Yeah he had injury issues but the fact that he still puts up numbers when healthy tells me this kid has the mentality we need.
I get the grit factor and all that sounds great but we’re talking about a guy who just missed half his season with an ankle injury. We already have depth at DT so I’m not sure what problem this actually solves. Hope I’m wrong but this feels like we’re reaching a bit.
You know what I like about this pick? The character aspect. That used to be what this organization was all about and it feels like they’re getting back to that mentality. Whether it works out or not, at least we’re drafting guys who want to be here and fight.
Sixth pick of the draft and we’re addressing both sides of the ball? That’s smart roster building. Gill-Howard might be depth now but if he stays healthy he could be a real contributor. The upside is there for sure.