ALLEN PARK, MI — The Detroit Lions enter the 2026 NFL Draft with a clear chip on their shoulder. A 9-8 record in 2025 left them on the outside of the playoff picture for the first time in years, a bitter pill for a city that grew used to January football. While General Manager Brad Holmes struck quickly in free agency by landing Isiah Pacheco and Tyler Conklin, the roster remains thin at the bottom. With the bulk of their capital sitting on Day Three, Holmes must replicate his 2023 magic to find the next generation of Detroit grit.
Detroit found a legitimate hammer in Isiah Pacheco, but the depth behind him and Jahmyr Gibbs feels shaky. Sione Vaki and Jacob Saylors haven’t locked down the reserve roles yet. Enter Chip Trayanum. The Toledo product exploded in 2025, racking up 1,015 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on 182 carries. He didn’t just run through the MAC; he punished it. Scouts love his “linebacker instincts” in pass protection—a trait Dan Campbell demands. Trayanum stands 5’11” and weighs 227 pounds, offering the kind of short-yardage violence that wears down defenses in the fourth quarter. He is a natural fit for a seventh-round flyer or a high-priority undrafted signing.
The front office went all-in to secure Isaac TeSlaa in 2025, and Reggie Virgil offers a similar physical profile. Standing 6-foot-3, Virgil is the prototypical boundary X-receiver. After transferring from Miami (Ohio) to Texas Tech, he proved he could handle high-major speed, hauling in 57 receptions for 705 yards and six scores last fall. He isn’t just a possession guy; he’s a vertical stretcher who thrives in contested-catch situations. With Greg Dortch signed to handle return duties and slot work, Virgil could slide into the WR4 role. His ability to elude press coverage and battle for 50/50 balls makes him a prime target for Jared Goff in the red zone.
If you wanted to build a tight end in a Dan Campbell-themed lab, he would look a lot like Nate Boerkircher. Forget the box score—Boerkircher’s value lives in the trenches. He transferred to Texas A&M for his final season and finished with 19 catches for 198 yards, but his tape as a blocker is where he shines. He treats every run play like a personal vendetta. Zierlein compared him to newly signed Tyler Conklin, but Boerkircher has a nastiness that mimics Campbell’s own playing days. With Sam LaPorta leading the room, Boerkircher could easily displace Brock Wright or Zach Horton by providing elite special teams value and heavy-set blocking versatility on a cheap four-year rookie deal.
“We aren’t looking for guys who just like football. We want guys who can’t live without it. When you get into those late rounds, you’re looking for the heart that the stat sheet misses.”
— Brad Holmes, Detroit Lions General Manager
The Lions are at a crossroads. The NFC North is more competitive than ever, and a 9-8 finish won’t cut it in 2026. Holmes’ ability to find starters on Day Three is the primary reason Detroit rose from the basement in the first place. If they land a “glue guy” like Boerkircher or a rotational hammer like Trayanum, it allows the stars like Gibbs and LaPorta to stay fresh for a deep run. The draft starts April 23 in Pittsburgh, and for Detroit, the real work begins when the lights on the main stage start to dim.
