Lions could land top offensive tackle in 2026 NFL Draft

Alabama's Kadyn Proctor could be the perfect fit to bookend Detroit's offensive line.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 4:57pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting an offensive lineman in action, with sharp planes of deep blue, forest green, and burnt orange colors representing the raw power and movement of football.A cubist interpretation of a powerful offensive lineman opening up a hole for his running back, a key building block for the Detroit Lions' offense.Today in Detroit

ESPN's Matt Bowen suggests the Detroit Lions should target Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor with the 17th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Proctor, a 6-foot-7 lineman, could pair with Penei Sewell to solidify the Lions' offensive line and help the team's offense return to the playoffs.

Why it matters

The Lions' offense has the skill position talent, but needs to improve its offensive line to become a consistent winner. Proctor's size, strength, and experience starting 40 games at Alabama would provide the Lions with a plug-and-play starter to help protect the quarterback and open holes in the running game.

The details

Bowen notes that while Proctor showed some lapses in pass protection on his 2025 tape, he has the power to shut down power rushers and excel as a run blocker, which would fit the Lions' offensive identity. At just 20 years old with extensive SEC experience, Proctor would come into the NFL as a ready-made starter to help the Lions' offense improve.

  • Proctor started 40 games at Alabama from 2022 to 2025.

The players

Kadyn Proctor

A 6-foot-7 offensive tackle from the University of Alabama who is projected to be a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Penei Sewell

The Detroit Lions' starting left tackle, who could potentially move to the left side to replace the retiring Taylor Decker.

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What they’re saying

“With reports of Penei Sewell potentially moving to the left tackle and replacing Taylor Decker, the Lions could find their new right tackle in Proctor. His 2025 tape showed some lapses in pass protection, but he has the strength to shut down power rushers. His ability to displace defenders in the run game would also fit with Detroit's identity. And he's still just 20 years old with 40 starts under his belt.”

— Matt Bowen, ESPN Analyst

What’s next

The Lions will have to wait until the 2026 NFL Draft to potentially select Proctor, as he is not eligible to enter the league until then. However, the team will likely continue to monitor his progress at Alabama and determine if he is the right fit to solidify their offensive line.

The takeaway

The Lions have the skill position talent on offense, but need to focus on improving the offensive line to become a consistent playoff contender. Drafting a talented, experienced tackle like Kadyn Proctor could be the missing piece to help Detroit's offense reach its full potential.