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DETROIT, MICHIGAN - SEPTEMBER 28: Jahmyr Gibbs #0 of the Detroit Lions walks off the field after the game against the Cleveland Browns at Ford Field on September 28, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)

The Detroit Lions didn’t have the 2025 season they hoped for. A year after claiming the No. 1 seed in the NFC with a 15-2 record, the Lions crashed back down to earth a bit, winning nine games but failing to reach the playoffs and finishing last in the NFC North.

Thankfully for the Lions, the NFL Draft is coming up tomorrow. Because they were able to address a few positions in free agency, such as center, the Lions have at least some flexibility heading into the draft. Presumably, a tackle is the biggest priority for Detroit, but adding to their pass rush and in the secondary could also be seen as boxes that need to be checked in the draft.

NFL Insider on the Detroit Lions Being a Contender Following the Draft

GettyDETROIT, MICHIGAN – SEPTEMBER 28: Jahmyr Gibbs #0 of the Detroit Lions plays against the Cleveland Browns at Ford Field on September 28, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

On Tuesday, NFL Network insiders Daniel Jeremiah and Gregg Rosenthal discussed which teams could reassert themselves as contenders in 2026 with a strong haul in the draft later this week. The Lions were one of the first teams they mentioned.

“It’s an easier one, but Detroit,” said Jeremiah. “I mean, I know they need to replace a tackle, but the overall to-do list I don’t think is that crazy. They can continue to add to the secondary, they can add another [pass] rusher. But I think kinda where they are, their position in the draft with some holes they need to plug, I think they can accomplish that if they get it right. So they can be right back in the mix next year.”

“Yeah, people love to talk about [championship] windows,” Rosenthal added. “‘Did they miss their window?’ And I’m just thinking: if you just pick young players in the middle of their prime, either on their rookie contracts or early on their second contracts, they might have the best top seven players in the league. So gimme a break about ‘window,’ they can get right back there.”

Both Jeremiah and Rosenthal are confident that as long as the Lions address one or two positions with rookie contributors acquired in the draft, they can be right back in the mix in 2026. Now it’s just up to the Lions’ brass to get the right players in the building.

The Lions Have One Major Advantage in the NFC North Next Season

One thing that could help the Lions re-establish themselves at the top of their division? The schedule. Due to “losing” a tiebreaker with the Vikings, the Lions came in fourth place in the NFC North, despite both teams having identical 9-8 records.

Not only does that tiebreaker mean the Lions are picking one spot ahead of the Vikings in the first round — No. 17 vs. No. 18 — but it means Detroit will play a fourth-place schedule in 2026.

Even though that scheduling distinction only affects a handful of games, it could be the edge the Lions need to separate themselves in what should again be one of the most loaded divisions in all of football. Either way, Detroit will have its work cut out for it next season.