Taylor Decker's departure may have changed everything for the Detroit Lions' draft plans. Now, they will reportedly move Penei Sewell to left tackle, all while Larry Borom holds down the fort on the other side of the offensive line.
With the O-line still feeling Decker's absence, some draft experts believe that the Lions will target the likes of Kadyn Proctor or Monroe Freeling with their No. 17 pick. That makes perfect sense; however, the possibility of a talented prospect like Mansoor Delane falling in the draft could change Detroit's plans in the first round and beyond.
Lions Should Monitor Mansoor Delane's Draft Situation
As things stand now, a good chunk of mock drafts have Delane coming off the board somewhere in the top 10 selections. Nevertheless, there are way too many questions about whether the Arizona Cardinals and Cleveland Browns will trade down, and whether the Dallas Cowboys will trade up.
Delane's ability to stick to his man in coverage is the best in this class by a significant margin. He doesn't need to be the fastest or the biggest guy out there to make an impact, and what he lacks in physical tools he makes up for with unmatched instincts, ball-tracking skills, and reliable hands.
Delane finished the 2025 season with a career-best 90.7 coverage grade on Pro Football Focus. The 22-year-old ballhawk held opposing quarterbacks to a 40.4% completion rate and 31.3 passer rating on 35 targets, allowing only 14 receptions for 165 touchdown-less yards. He also broke up seven passes while intercepting two, doing so without being called for a single penalty.
The Lions have struggled to find a reliable cornerback for a while now. Terrion Arnold hasn't been very good when he's been healthy, and D.J. Reed is a slightly above-average option, not much more than that. As such, getting the undisputed CB1 in this class at No. 17 would be a massive steal.
Granted, the Lions also need to find someone for their offensive line, but given the way free agency has shaped up, it wouldn't be a huge surprise to see them work things out with Decker and get him back on a short-term deal. They can also target someone like Max Iheanachor in the second round, and general manager Brad Holmes has never been shy about potentially trading up.
Cornerback might not be the primary need, but it's a need nonetheless. Sometimes, it's better to go with the best player available rather than addressing a roster need, and with Monroe Freeling and Kadyn Proctor both being raw prospects with as much upside as questions, the Lions would probably be better off with Delane instead.
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