The Detroit Lions finished with a 9-8 record last season and missed the playoffs after winning the NFC North the previous two seasons before that. Detroit finished in last place in the NFC North, and they will look different next season. The Lions lost offensive coordinator Ben Johnson last offseason, and he took the Chicago Bears head coaching job.
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Jan 4, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell reacts after a touchdown against the Chicago Bears during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
This offseason, Detroit hired a new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing. He was with the Arizona Cardinals last season. The Lions hope to be a better team offensively next season. One of the things that Detroit may need to fix this offseason is the offensive line. Detroit will have the 17th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
PFF Mock Draft Has the Detroit Lions Selecting Spencer Fano 17th Overall
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Oct 11, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Utes offensive lineman Spencer Fano (55) and Utah Utes offensive lineman Michael Mokofisi (52) wait for the play during the third quarter of the game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
Dalton Wasserman of profootballfocus.com wrote his latest three-round mock draft in the NFL for 2026. With Detroit having the 17th overall selection, he has this franchise selecting Utah Utes offensive tackle Spencer Fano. Wasserman said, “Detroit’s offensive line struggled down the stretch and is in flux going into the offseason. Utah’s Spencer Fano would give the Lions some options after he earned an FBS-leading 92.0 PFF overall grade over the past two seasons. Whether he plays tackle or guard, he would be a welcome addition to the Lions’ offense.”
Fano is 6’6″ and weighs 302 lbs. It would be a surprise to see Fano fall to number 17 in the 2026 NFL Draft. There is a good chance that he goes in the Top 10 of the 2026 NFL Draft. Fano and Francis Mauigoa of the Miami Hurricanes are the top two offensive tackles in this year’s draft class. Detroit no doubt needs offensive line and defensive line help. Fano maybe off the board, but the other Utah tackle Caleb Lomu may still be on the board for the Lions at this spot also.
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