Detroit Lions Seek Interior O-Line Help at 2026 NFL Combine

Top prospects to watch as Lions look to solidify center and left guard positions.

Feb. 22, 2026 at 1:31am

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The Detroit Lions are focused on upgrading their interior offensive line at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, with the center position and left guard spot being key priorities this offseason. The team is looking to find their center of the future and foster competition at left guard, where Christian Mahogany struggled at times in 2025. Top prospects to watch include Olaivavega Ioane, Chase Bisontis, Emmanuel Pregnon, Logan Jones, and Connor Lew.

Why it matters

The Lions want to rebuild their offensive line into a dominant unit, and that starts with solidifying the interior. Finding a reliable center and left guard will be crucial to the team's success in 2026 and beyond, as head coach Dan Campbell emphasizes the importance of being strong up the middle.

The details

The Lions are looking to the 2026 NFL Draft or free agency to find their center of the future, with the team needing to improve on their 56% pass block win rate from 2025, which ranked 31st in the NFL. At left guard, Mahogany allowed six sacks and 27 pressures, and the team wants to bring in competition to push him. Top prospects like Ioane, Bisontis, Pregnon, Jones, and Lew will have the chance to impress at the Combine and potentially earn a spot on the Lions' roster.

  • The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine will take place in late February/early March 2026.

The players

Olaivavega Ioane

A 6-4, 323-pound interior offensive lineman from Penn State who earned First-Team All-Big Ten and First-Team All-American recognition in 2025 after surrendering just four pressures and zero sacks or QB hits.

Chase Bisontis

A 6-5, 315-pound interior offensive lineman from Texas A&M with a well-rounded skillset and a particular strength in the run game.

Emmanuel Pregnon

A 6-5, 318-pound interior offensive lineman who started at left guard for USC and Oregon, known for his ability to anchor in pass protection and create movement in the run game.

Logan Jones

A 6-3, 302-pound center from Iowa who won the 2025 Rimington Trophy as the best center in college football and has 50 career starts under his belt.

Connor Lew

A 6-3, 303-pound center from Auburn who took over the starting job as a true freshman in 2023 and has held it ever since, showcasing a high football IQ and good movement skills.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

The takeaway

The Lions' focus on upgrading their interior offensive line at the 2026 NFL Combine highlights the team's commitment to rebuilding their offensive line into a dominant unit. Finding a reliable center and left guard will be crucial to the team's success in 2026 and beyond, as they look to improve on their subpar pass and run blocking from the 2025 season.