Detroit Lions Meet With Potential No. 17 Pick

Alabama OT Kadyn Proctor has drawn extensive interest from the Lions ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 1:18am

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting depicting a football player in action, with their jersey featuring the Detroit Lions logo. The player's form is broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric planes, creating a cubist visual style.The Detroit Lions' pursuit of offensive line help in the 2026 NFL Draft takes a cubist turn as they evaluate Alabama's Kadyn Proctor.Today in Detroit

The Detroit Lions have met multiple times with Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor, a potential target for the team with the 17th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Proctor, a 6-foot-7 tackle who started three seasons for the Crimson Tide, has drawn sustained interest from the Lions throughout the pre-draft process, including visits and meetings at the Shrine Bowl and NFL Combine.

Why it matters

The Lions' repeated contact with Proctor suggests he is a serious consideration for their first-round selection, as the team looks to bolster its offensive line. Proctor is widely projected as a first-round pick, and there is growing belief around the league that he may not last until the 17th overall pick, adding an extra layer of intrigue to Detroit's decision.

The details

The Lions have hosted Proctor on a pre-draft visit, adding to their extensive evaluation process that has included meetings at the Shrine Bowl and NFL Combine. This level of contact, especially this close to the draft, typically indicates a more serious level of consideration for a prospect. Proctor, who stands at 6-foot-7, started three seasons at Alabama and is viewed as one of the top offensive line prospects in this year's class.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft is less than a week away.
  • The Lions recently hosted Proctor on a pre-draft visit.
  • Detroit previously met with Proctor at the Shrine Bowl and NFL Combine.

The players

Kadyn Proctor

A 6-foot-7 offensive tackle who started three seasons at Alabama and is considered one of the top offensive line prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Brad Holmes

The general manager of the Detroit Lions.

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What they’re saying

“Teams often cast wide nets throughout the pre-draft cycle, but repeated meetings tend to indicate a more serious level of consideration.”

— Don Drysdale, Author

“Daniel Jeremiah recently noted the Lions' interest and suggested Proctor could come off the board before Detroit's pick, adding another wrinkle to the situation.”

— Don Drysdale, Author

What’s next

The Lions will have to decide whether to select Kadyn Proctor with the 17th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, or if he will be off the board by the time they are on the clock.

The takeaway

The Detroit Lions' extensive pre-draft work with Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor suggests he is a serious consideration for their first-round pick. However, with growing belief that Proctor may not last until the 17th overall selection, the Lions will have to weigh their options carefully as they look to bolster their offensive line.