Lions Cap Draft with Third D-Line Pick
The Detroit Lions wrapped up their draft by doing what they’ve done all weekend: loading up on defensive line talent. With their final pick, they selected Tennessee defensive lineman Tyre West.
West becomes the third defensive lineman the Lions grabbed in this draft, joining second-round pick Derrick Moore and sixth-round pick Skyler Gill-Howard. Because apparently Brad Holmes looked at our pass rush and said, “You know what? Let’s triple down on this.”
West worked in a rotational role for the Volunteers, playing mostly on the edge during his four years at Tennessee. His most productive season came in 2025, where he posted 23 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, and a forced fumble across 12 games with two starts.
Projection Game Gets Interesting
Here’s where it gets fun. At 6-foot-2, 283 pounds with an 80 1/4-inch wingspan, West doesn’t fit the typical mold for any one position. He’ll likely see snaps inside and get some rotational work on the edge too.
Of course, with all this new talent flooding Allen Park, West is going to have to battle just to make the 53-man roster. Nothing’s guaranteed when you’re a seventh-round pick, even on a team that clearly values your position group.
The Complete Haul
With West in the fold, the Lions’ 2026 draft class is officially complete. Here’s the full rundown:
Round 1: OT Blake Miller, Clemson
Round 2: EDGE Derrick Moore, Michigan
Round 3: LB Jimmy Rolder, Michigan
Round 5: CB Keith Abney, Arizona State
Round 5: WR Kendrick Law, Kentucky
Round 6: DT Skyler Gill-Howard
Round 7: DL Tyre West, Tennessee
Looking at the remaining needs list, the Lions managed to cross off most of their priorities. Offensive tackle? Check. Defensive end? Check. Linebacker and defensive back? Double check.
Still need a tight end, nose tackle, and running back, but those can wait for free agency or next year’s draft. For now, this looks like a solid haul that addresses real needs without reaching.
Think the Lions nailed this draft or are we setting ourselves up for another case of “looked good on paper? Drop your brutally honest take below.
I love this approach honestly. We’ve been getting pushed around up front for way too long and finally Brad is saying we’re gonna be the ones doing the pushing. Three defensive linemen might seem like overkill but when you look at the rotation and depth we need, this actually makes sense to me.
Look, I want to believe this works but we’ve seen so many draft picks come through Allen Park and just… disappear. A seventh rounder from Tennessee making the roster? That’s a long shot and we all know it. I’ll get excited when these guys are actually on the field producing, not in April.
You know what, I’ve been watching this team since way back and I gotta say the way they’re attacking the trenches now just feels different. There’s an energy to it. Used to be we’d draft flashy receivers while our line got pushed around, so seeing them focus on this is refreshing no matter how it turns out.
The fact that we addressed like every major hole without reaching is exactly what I wanted to see from this draft. Blake Miller at tackle, Derrick Moore on the edge, and then we got secondary help too. This feels like a real draft class not just a bunch of picks thrown at the wall.