The 2026 NFL draft is only a matter of weeks away, and the hope is that the Detroit Lions will upgrade the trenches on both sides of the ball, add to the linebacker draft, and draft a running back and a developmental quarterback.
When it comes to the trenches, the immediate thought is adding more talent at the defensive end spot with Al-Quadin Muhammad’s departure. However, defensive tackle should also be on general manager Brad Holmes’ radar, even though the Lions have Tyleik Williams and Alim McNeill as starters. However, there’s a huge question mark behind the duo in veteran defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike.
Onwuzurike missed the entire 2025 season because of a torn ACL that he suffered at the start of training camp. It wasn’t ideal for the Lions as Onwuzurike had re-signed with the club on a one-year deal and was looking to build off his 2024 campaign.
This offseason, the Lions could have parted ways with the veteran defender, but Detroit decided to keep him, thanks to a quirk in the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement.
Lions Should Look to Add More Talent at DT Despite Levi Onwuzurike’s Return
Detroit hopes that Onwuzurike will bounce back after being one year removed from injury and look like the disruptive force we saw in 2024. However, the Lions should also not put all their eggs into Onwuzurike’s basket, who has struggled to stay on the field, playing in 42 out of a possible 76 games.
This is where the NFL draft comes into play because if Onwuzurike struggles to return to form, the depth behind him isn’t anything to write home about with Chris Smith, Mehki Wingo, and Myles Adams.
This year’s draft class at defensive tackle includes names like Clemson's Peter Woods, Ohio State's Kayden McDonald, Georgia's Christen Miller, and Louisville's Caleb Banks. Last month, Zach Goodall of 247 Sports reported that Banks would soon visit the Lions along with multiple other teams.
Banks is projected as a second-round pick, per the NFL Mock Draft Database. Conversely, multiple mocks have him being drafted late in the first round. If that’s the case, the Lions might not be willing to go that route, given they have more pressing needs, such as EDGE or OL that can be addressed in the first round.
However, a player like Clemson’s DeMonte Capehart could be on the Lions’ radar. ESPN’s Matt Miller has the Lions taking him in the fourth round in his latest mock draft. Capehart wasn’t a full-time starter in college, making 12 starts out of 57 games played. But the rookie could make an immediate impact as a run defender due to his power and handling of double teams.
For the Lions, adding a DT on Day 3 would be perfect, especially if that prospect has certain traits that you like and feel like could be beneficial. Onwuzurike isn’t a huge sack guy, but he still finds ways to be disruptive, as evidenced by his career-high 22 quarterback pressures and 13 QB hits in 2024.
A Onwuzurike rebound story would be nice for the upcoming season, but the Lions need to also think about the future as well, and the draft is the perfect spot to do so.