Lions Mock Draft 2.0: Detroit Snags Taylor Decker’s Successor at No. 17

ALLEN PARK — The Taylor Decker era ended with a request for release, leaving a massive void on the left side of Detroit’s offensive line. Brad Holmes didn’t panic during a quiet first week of free agency. He waited for the draft. With the No. 17 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Lions finally find the pillar to protect Jared Goff’s blindside for the next decade.

The Selection: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

Detroit needs a technician, and they get exactly that in Spencer Fano. While some fans clamored for a flashier pass rusher to pair with Aidan Hutchinson, the reality of a 9-8 finish in 2025 showed that Goff needs a clean pocket to survive. Fano stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 305 pounds, bringing the “dirtbag” mentality that Dan Campbell craves. He isn’t just a blocker; he’s a mauler who allowed only two sacks during his final season with the Utes. He slides into the starting role immediately, pushing veteran addition Larry Borom to a swing tackle spot.

The Lions’ offensive identity relies on winning the line of scrimmage. Losing Decker and Graham Glasgow in the same offseason felt like a gut punch to the city. However, the earlier signing of center Cade Mays to a three-year, $25 million deal provides a bridge. Fano is the final piece of that reconstruction. He plays with a low center of gravity and rare lateral agility that keeps speed rushers at bay. Detroit’s ground game, now featuring Isiah Pacheco alongside Jahmyr Gibbs, should see massive lanes on the left side this fall.

Locker Room Talk

“We knew we had to address the front. You can’t build a house without a foundation, and Spencer is a foundational human being. He’s got that edge. He wants to take your soul on every snap.”
— Dan Campbell, Detroit Lions Head Coach

Playoff Implications / What’s Next

Detroit’s 2025 season stalled because the protection crumbled in late-game situations. By securing Fano, Holmes ensures the Lions don’t have to overpay for aging veterans in the second wave of free agency. The focus now shifts to the No. 50 overall pick, where Detroit must hunt for defensive depth. The departure of Alex Anzalone to Tampa Bay left a leadership gap in the linebacker room that Malcolm Rodriguez can’t fill alone. Expect the Lions to target an explosive edge or a high-IQ linebacker on Day 2 to bolster a defense that looked winded during the final stretch of the ’25 campaign.