Maxx Crosby.
Getty
The Detroit Lions may stop salivating over getting Maxx Crosby to Michigan after seeing this stellar 2026 NFL draft pick.
The Detroit Lions are coming up on the 2026 NFL draft, and most NFL experts and analysts have them going with an offensive tackle for their first-round pick, which comes in at No. 17. That makes sense, but if the team decides to go early for an edge, it could make them forget about their Maxx Crosby woes.
It’s no secret that the Lions have wanted Crosby in the fold for years now. Well, at least the team’s fans have wanted Crosby, but general manager Brad Holmes hasn’t expressed any urgency in getting a star edge to pair with Aidan Hutchinson. But, frankly, because Holmes hasn’t wanted to pay big bucks for an edge, getting one in the NFL draft may be the best solution.
Now, with Crosby back with the Las Vegas Raiders and Hutchinson still without his soulmate on the field, it’s time to look at the available pass rushers in the 2026 NFL draft. While they are a handful of strong choices, one stands a bit above the rest.
Detroit Lions Would Be Wise to Look at This Budding Edge in the 2026 NFL Draft
If the Detroit Lions are serious about landing a top edge to pair with Hutchinson, they’ll find him in Rueben Bain Jr. out of Miami. All the proof you need is that he’s the 2025 Ted Hendricks Award Winner for best defensive end in college football.
While Bain Jr. still has some things to work out, he’s the kind of player that Holmes and Dan Campbell could bring on board and develop into a counterpart to Hutchinson, at a good price. Getting Bain on the team would fill in some of those glaring gaps in the edge lineup and depth.
Tim Twentyman of the Detroit Lions’ official website agrees. He names Bain as one of the top edge candidates for the Lions in the 2026 NFL draft.
“The 2025 Ted Hendricks Award Winner as the best defensive end in college football, Bain is a productive, compact and strong edge rusher,” he states in the feature. “He notched 20.5 sacks over his three collegiate seasons, including 9.5 last season. He had another five sacks in four playoff games, helping Miami reach the National Championship Game.”
Rising College Edge is a ‘Block Destructor’ With ‘Defensive Tackle Play Strength’
Bain’s NFL profile says that he’s a “note taker, grudge holder and block destructor with a compact frame and defensive tackle play strength.” He’s also “ill-tempered with his take-ons, hitting blockers with heavy hand strikes.”
On the downside, the player’s “lack of length can lead to him being smothered if he doesn’t land the first strike.” But, that’s all fixable, and he’s just a rookie and has time to develop.
It’s worth noting that most NFL analysts still think the Lions should, and will, go early for an offensive tackle. In a Saturday, April 11 feature for CBS Sports, Jordan Dajani has them taking Spencer Fano out of Utah early.
“The Outland Trophy winner is lauded for his versatility,” he states in the feature, “and he could start at guard or right tackle for the Lions while Penei Sewell moves to the left side.”
So, I have no problem with the Lions going with an offensive tackle early in the draft. But, this edge question has been lingering for years at this point, and it would be better to finally have that resolved before the start of the season.