Taylor Decker's sudden departure left the Detroit Lions stuck between a rock and a hard place. On the one hand, Decker wasn't an All-Pro-caliber left tackle. On the other hand, that's still one of the most valuable positions in the game.
That's why they may have to change their entire strategy for the 2026 NFL Draft. Moreover, that's also why they might be tempted to make a bold move if the right player, such as Francis Mauigoa, were to slip and become available, according to NFL analyst Mina Kimes.
"Then you're looking at a team ahead of them, maybe the Dolphins perhaps at 11 and wondering, is that the spot that they would have to leapfrog to take the player, and are they willing to part with draft picks to do so?" Kimes told ESPN insider Field Yates.
How Could the Lions Move up for Francis Mauigoa?
According to Rich Hill's NFL Draft trade value chart, the most realistic way to move up from where the Lions are to No. 11 would be to give up No. 17 and No. 50 to acquire No. 11 and 75. Of course, losing a second-round pick would be a stinger, especially since they don't have a third-rounder this year, but it could give the Lions an offensive tackle for the next decade-plus.
Mauigoa was projected as OT1 in this class for most of the pre-draft process, but some doubts about his position, where some scouts believe he'll be better off at guard, and a back injury that might eventually require surgery could take a toll on his draft stock.
Should that be the case, the Lions should strongly consider making this move. They've already signed Larry Borom, who's mostly a backup and a rotational piece, but it would give them the wiggle room to allow Mauigoa to undergo surgery if needed to get fully healthy and develop before they actually need him there.
Lions general manager Brad Holmes isn't the one to shy away from a big move in the first round either. He traded up 20 spots from No. 32 to No. 12 to get Jameson Williams in 2022, then he moved down to get Jahmyr Gibbs and Jack Campbell in the first round in 2023. Finally, he moved up from No. 29 to No. 24 to land Terrion Arnold in 2024. He's also traded up 32 spots from 102 to 70 in order to draft Isaac TeSlaa. Detroit also moved up 11 spots to draft Miles Frazier, and three spots to nab Tate Ratledge, so there's a clear precedent there.
Mauigoa is a right tackle, but since the Lions have had conversations to move Penei Sewell to the left side of the line, that shouldn't stop them. Of course, injury concerns should also keep the Lions on their toes about this move, but the upside is just too obvious to ignore.
He's a true mauler, an elite blocker, especially in the running game, and someone who simply cannot be beaten once he sets his feet. He's an unmovable force anchoring the line of scrimmage, and he'll be well worth the risk and the valuable assets the Lions would have to give up to get him.
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