Lions Draft Preview: High Stakes in Pittsburgh

0:00It's April 23rd. I'm Cory with the story, and this is NFL News Today, your AI-powered football briefing. The Detroit Lions are gearing up to plug roster gaps ahead of the 2026 season, with the NFL Draft hitting Pittsburgh from Thursday, April. 23rd through Saturday, April 25th. Day 1 kicks off at APM, Eastern on NFL Network, ABC, and ESPN, while days 2-3 follow Friday at 7pm and Saturday at noon. After a 9-8 finish in 2025, they hold the 17th overall pick, their highest first round slots in snagging running back. Jamir Gibbs at number 12 back in 2023. They enter with nine picks total, one in the first, one second, two fourths, two fifths, two sixths, and a seventh. No third rounders though, since they shipped both to Jacksonville last year to move up for wide receiver Isaac Tesla. The deal also netted an extra sixth rounder, keeping their board flexible despite the trades.

1:00Fans and analysts are buzzing about the impact, especially with the Detroit's track record under GM Brad Holmes and Coach Dan Campbell. They've nailed recent first rounders like Aiden Hutchinson, Penae Sule, and Terry and Arnold building a contender. Losing pieces like David Montgomery to Houston and Kevin Zyler in Free Agency, open doors for compics, a fourth from that Texans trade and a fifth rounder. New details show how they stacked extras, a sixth from Seattle via Tim Patrick to the Jags, another from Jacksonville, and a seventh from Cleveland in. The Zedarius Smith deal preview chatter highlights a loaded offensive line class, giving the line's real options at 17 to boost the trenches or add weapons. As the draft order shakes out with Vegas first and Seattle last, Detroit sits pretty in the middle pack, primed to wheel and deal or lock in a steal. That pushes them deeper into playoff contention.