STUNNER: What if the Detroit Lions PASSED on a Tackle at 17 to take a Guard?

This episode of Locked On Lions dives into a provocative mock draft scenario where Peter Schrager projects the Detroit Lions passing on two elite tackles—Monroe Freeling and Caden Proctor—at pick 17 to select Penn State guard Vega Ioane. Host Matt Derry and guest Jason Lockett Fora debate the strategic implications of such a move, weighing Ioane’s physicality and 'Dan Campbell' grit against the Lions’ pressing need for tackle depth and the potential displacement of starting guard Christian Mahogany. While Ioane is praised as a blue-chip, immediate-impact player with a punishing style, the consensus leans toward the Lions prioritizing tackle to address a critical weakness on the offensive line. The conversation expands to broader offseason concerns, including the Lions’ conservative free agency approach, the decline of their window under Jared Goff, and the need for more aggressive roster-building. Lockett Fora emphasizes the importance of drafting high-impact offensive linemen and questions whether the Lions are overvaluing their ability to fix everything through the draft, while also highlighting the depth and potential of the 2026 edge rusher class. The episode closes with a strong emphasis on the Lions’ need to address their offensive line before the draft, with a clear consensus that a tackle at 17 remains the more logical and impactful pick.