The Detroit Lions are projected to bolster their offensive line in the 2026 NFL Draft, targeting a Joe Moore Award finalist to strengthen protection for Jared Goff. The move signals a clear focus on reinforcing the trenches with young talent.

According to Sports Illustrated, the Motown team could draft OL DJ Campbell from the Texas Longhorns as a competition against the returning Lions’ stars Tate Ratledge and Christian Mahogany. 

Known for his aggressive "menace mode" blocking style, earning All-SEC honors, Campbell started his football career with the Longhorns in 2022.

During the 2026 NFL Combine, he was graded a prospect score of 5.94 with an athleticism score of 83. 

Campbell is a scheme fit for the head coach. Dan Campbell’s offensive approach, when combined with his intensity and aggressiveness, makes him a dominant run-blocker.

More physicality is the foundation of both the Lions and DJ Campbell’s gameplay. 

For his 2025 season, he earned a PFF grade of 71.6, with his run block grade coming out to be 73.7 in 759 offensive snaps played. 

He played as a right guard for 13 games in the 2025 NCAA  season and was selected for the Joe Moore Award in 2024 for his 16 games. 

For the Lions, he could again play as a right guard to anchor the o-line for Jared Goff, preventing the interior collapse that often disrupts Goff's timing on intermediate crossing routes.

The OL position is already crowded with two Lions stars, Juice Scruggs from the Houston Texans, and Ben Bartch from the San Francisco 49ers.

That said, the Detroit Lions lost various O-line players, too. They moved on from key starters Taylor Decker and Graham Glasgow, while stalwart center Frank Ragnow called time on his career.

Lions Eye Multiple Offensive Line Prospects in 2026 NFL Draft to Protect Jared Goff

The Lions have had their roster around, facilitating Jared Goff, and the 2026 NFL Draft is no different. 

The protection of quarterback Jared Goff is not about flashy moves. It’s about keeping the pocket clean, intact, and the offense on schedule. 

That’s exactly where these draft prospects come in.

Starting with Spencer Fano from the Utah Utes. He has played 822 offensive snaps with a PFF grade of 83.9, backed by an 81.5 pass-block grade and 79.9 in the run game. 

But the real story is his zero sacks allowed in his final 23 college games. Consistency and reliability are much-needed factors for Goff.

Then there’s Kadyn Proctor out of the Alabama Crimson Tide. 

At 6-foot-7, standing tall with 878 snaps, he brings size and movement you don’t usually see together. His PFF grade sits at 85.4, with an 81.8 pass-block grade and 81.6 in run blocking. 

Jared Goff thrives on timing and structure, that kind of protection matters more than anything. The agenda is to keep Goff upright, keep the rhythm intact, and the offense doesn’t have to change.

Who do you think the Lions must draft? Share your thoughts with us. Read more at the Detroit Lions Community!

Written by

Kunwar Yashaswee Chhaunker

Edited by

Aadesh Dhote