The Detroit Lions may have tipped their hand for Day 2. A former Lions player pointed to a surprising linebacker as the potential No. 50 overall pick for their defense.

Interacting with Jim Costa on 97.1 The Ticket, former Lions offensive tackle Jon Jansen suggested Gabe Jacas as a potential pick for the Detroit Lions in the 2026 NFL Draft. 

“The guy that I think is a better fit for this team is still in the Big Ten, but he comes from the University of Illinois, Gabe Jacas,” Jansen said. 

The 21-year-old linebacker Gabe Jacas of the Illinois Fighting Illini football team started his collegiate career in 2022 as a true freshman. 

As per Pro Football Focus, he appeared in 12 games and recorded 23 tackles in 529 snaps in his final season. He also generated 41 total pressures and hence earned a PFF grade of 78.

Jansen mentions his "heavy-handed" frame build allows him to maintain elite functional strength against the run while providing the schematic versatility to complement Aidan Hutchinson on the edge.

“About the same size in regards to height, length, all of those things, he's a little bit bigger,” Jansen said. “He's about 15 pounds heavier, and I think he is a more well-rounded, three-down guy.”

During the 2026 NFL Combine, NFL analyst Lance Zierlein graded him a 6.33 prospect and categorized him as a plus starter. 

Jacas led his team with 13.5 Tackles for Loss in the last season, and he was ranked seventh in the FBS with 11 sacks.

Lions Continue Evaluating Alternative Options for Round 2 Pick

In the 2026 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions have two picks (17th and 50th) in the first two rounds. According to Jon Jansen, the Lions may draft Kadyn Proctor, Spencer Fano, and Francis Mauigoa for their 17th overall pick.

For their 50th overall pick, they may also pursue Derek Moore of the Michigan Edge, along with Gabe Jacas. 

Kadyn Proctor of the University of Alabama is known for his elite status as a five-star recruit out of high school and his rare combination of size and athletic ability. 

According to Pro Football Focus, he sits at a PFF grade of 85.4 while playing for 878 offensive snaps.  

His elite run-blocking and athleticism perfectly match the Lions' physical identity and need for a long-term Taylor Decker replacement. 

Moore is projected as an ideal second-round target who can bolster the Lions' pass rush by providing a physical "bull rush" threat opposite Aidan Hutchinson. 

His elite 92.4 PFF pass-rush grade and unselfish play-style fit Detroit’s blue-collar culture, offering the immediate "speed-to-power" versatility needed to collapse pockets.

Similarly, Spencer Fano and  Francis Mauigoa could also be pursued by the Lions. With the draft just being few days away, the Lions will look forward to add some defensive talents to bolster their roster for the upcoming season.

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Written by

Kunwar Yashaswee Chhaunker

Edited by

Rishab Nandi