Projecting rookie roles for every Detroit Lions pick in 2026 NFL Draft
After saying goodbye to a number of veteran contributors in free agency due to what general manager Brad Holmes described as “financial constraints,” the Detroit Lions needed a productive haul in the 2026 NFL Draft to solidify themselves as contenders for next season.
Was that accomplished late last week?
The truth is we won’t know for sure until the pads come on and the games begin to count in September. But we can do our best in the meantime, based on what we know about the newcomers and Detroit’s roster, to predict how impactful each of the seven draftees will be as rookies.
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Kendrick Law, WR, Kentucky (Round 5)
Conversations about receivers usually begin with their abilities to catch the ball because, well, they’re receivers. But it feels right to start with Law’s toughness as a run blocker, given how much that’s emphasized in Detroit. He’s known for being physical despite his stature (5-11⅜, 203), and former Alabama receivers coach JaMarcus Shephard once referred to Law as his “enforcer.” Law, who’s first three seasons came with the Crimson Tide, transferred to Kentucky in 2025 and saw a bump in both opportunity and production, catching 53 of his 64 targets for 540 yards and three touchdowns. He racked up 505 yards after the catch and forced 14 missed tackles.
The Lions are stacked at receiver, especially at the top. Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams rarely come off the field, and Isaac TeSlaa’s role is only expected to grow in his second season. Greg Dortch also will be a factor as a replacement for Kalif Raymond, who left for the Chicago Bears. This all makes it difficult to envision many relevant snaps being allocated to Law as a rookie. But expect him to come in and compete hard with Dominic Lovett and Tom Kennedy, and provide depth behind St. Brown.
Projection: Depth
Skyler Gill-Howard, DT, Texas Tech (Round 6)
What drew Holmes to Gill-Howard was his knack for generating pressure. Gill-Howard (6-0⅝, 280 pounds), a former linebacker who’s only been on the defensive line since 2022, is undersized for the position, but he leans on his quickness and relentless motor to beat opponents. His win rate as a pass rusher in 2025 (14.4%) ranked 10th out of the 512 FBS interior defenders who rushed the passer on at least 100 snaps. Gill-Howard totaled 54 pressures over his previous three seasons, including two at Northern Illinois (42 pressures in 25 appearances) and one at Texas Tech (12 in seven). He suffered a midseason ankle injury in 2025.
More: Did Detroit Lions find difference-makers in defense-heavy NFL Draft haul?
Alim McNeill and Tyleik Williams are Detroit’s starters in the middle, and Levi Onwuzurike is the most accomplished player behind them, though he also offers some flexibility as a defensive end. Mekhi Wingo (6-0, 288), drafted in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, has a similar build to Gill-Howard. Wingo was active for two contests last season, stuck behind run-stuffing defensive tackles DJ Reader and Roy Lopez. With both of those players off the team, however, there might be more room for an undersized defensive tackle who specializes as a pass rusher. Gill-Howard versus Wingo will be an intriguing battle in training camp.
Projection: Rotational depth