The Lions could shock the world by taking one of the best receivers early in the 2026 NFL Draft, they’re showing interest, and it makes sense
It sounds crazy, and the fans would be really mad about it, but Jordyn Tyson makes a ton of sense for what the Lions have been trying to do for a long time
Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes has tried so hard for the last five years to explain to fans and media that they do not draft based on needs. They’re looking to get the best player available, and that is going to be the plan every year, including this year.
“We’ve always said the reason why we always go (for) the ‘best player available’ approach is because there is only one Draft, and the roster’s going to change every single year. Every single year it’s going to be new needs, contracts are going to expire, things are going to happen.” Holmes said. “So, what may not seem as an immediate, ‘I need this right now for this year,’ that might not be the case for the next year. So, that’s what’s been our approach on that. But there’s times where you might – it lines up. Maybe the best player is a perceived need, and it lines up that way. It’s lined up like that in the past, but that’s not always the case.”
With this being the approach for five years, you should be shocked by nothing. That’s why you shouldn’t be shocked at this.
The Lions were one of the 20 teams that were present for Arizona State receiver Jordyn Tyson’s personal workout
Now, obviously, this sounds insane. The Lions have All-Pro Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams at receiver. They just drafted Isaac Teslaa by trading three third-round picks to go up and get him. But Tyson gives them what they’ve been looking for out of that third receiver for years.
He has elite-level contested catch ability and elite body control, can create separation, and does everything the Lions keep trying to find with Josh Reynolds, DJ Chark, Tim Patrick, and TeSlaa. So yeah, while it seems crazy. It makes sense. It takes the Lions offense to yet another extreme level of possibilities.
Now, don’t freak out. The Lions have a plan here, and I sincerely doubt it’s to take Tyson with the 17th pick. I think what the Lions are looking at is simple. Can this player, who has recently dealt with an injury history that has caused him to miss multiple games per season, take a major fall in this draft and be picked in the second or at least the late 20s if the Lions wanted to trade back?
It’s not out of the realm of possibility. His current grade is in the first or second round. People are expecting a possible fall here. We’re talking about the possibility of getting a player who should be a top 10 pick in the second round. You do that if you’re GM. That is the best player available. Even if it’s not something you really need right now.
What would it mean for TeSlaa, I don’t know. Maybe you try him at tight end and see what that looks like. Maybe you trade him away. Maybe you have an insanely deep receiving corps. I don’t know.
What I do know is that now is a good time to prepare your mind for anything on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
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