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When Dane Brugler speaks, draft fans listen. The longtime NFL Draft analyst for The Athletic, who just so happens to be the analyst I respect most, and his latest 2026 mock draft has Detroit Lions fans already thinking about life after Taylor Decker.
With the Lions sitting at No. 17 overall, Brugler had Detroit going offensive line, projecting Utah left tackle Caleb Lomu as the long-term answer at one of the most important positions on the field.
And yes, the subtext is obvious: this is a Decker succession plan.
At 6-foot-6, 308 pounds, Lomu has been a two-year starter for the Utes and has built a reputation as one of the cleaner pass protectors in the country. Brugler acknowledged that while Lomu may not be the road-grader type the Lions traditionally love in the run game, his athleticism and mental processing stand out.
“I have questions about Lomu’s play strength, which might be an issue for this team in particular,” Brugler wrote, “but his above-average athleticism and processing will be strong selling points.”
That’s an interesting note, because Detroit’s offensive line identity under Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes has been built on violence in the run game. Decker, Penei Sewell, and the rest of that group want to move people. Lomu, meanwhile, wins more with footwork, balance, and recovery ability, traits that become even more valuable as the NFL continues to tilt toward explosive passing games.
If Decker were to retire or begin to decline by 2026, pass protection would instantly become priority No. 1 at left tackle. That’s where Lomu fits. He may not pancake defensive ends, but he consistently stays in front of them, mirrors well in space, and shows the kind of athletic profile that allows quarterbacks to feel clean on their blind side.
The other factor here is roster timing. By the time the 2026 Draft rolls around, Detroit could be looking to reset contracts and get younger up front while still protecting Jared Goff (or whoever the future quarterback may be). Drafting a tackle who can step in and stabilize the most important spot on the line would be a very Brad Holmes move.
Brugler’s projection doesn’t guarantee that Lomu will be the pick, but it does reinforce a growing theme: the Lions are approaching the point where planning for life after Taylor Decker becomes not just logical, but necessary.
And if that future includes a smooth-moving, technically sound left tackle from Utah, Lions fans might be just fine with that.
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Don Drysdale
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