Lions add pair of defensive tackles in final 2 rounds of draft

ALLEN PARK — The Lions wrapped up the 2026 NFL draft by selecting a pair of defensive tackles — Skyler Gill-Howard in the sixth round (205th) and Tyre West in the seventh (222nd) on Saturday.

GM Brad Holmes said he likes their ability to apply pressure as sub-rushers.

Gill-Howard, 6-8 and 280 pounds, played at Texas Tech his senior year after starting collegiate career at Northern Illinois. In 2025 he started the first six games (13 tackles, 2.5 TFLs with 0.5 sacks, INT-returned for TD, PBU) and then missed the second half of the year with an ankle injury. In his junior year at Northern Illinois he played in a dozen games with one start.

He has only played on the defensive line since 2022.

“I feel like I’m a great player with no ceiling, meaning that I can improve each and every year in whatever aspect I need to. I feel I can go out and make an impact immediately or do what the team needs me to do, it doesn’t matter. There’s still a long way to go.’’

The Lions hat he was wearing during a Zoom call came from his grandfather who is a big Lions fan and was wearing it at the draft party. It was the only hate in the room. “It was meant to be,’’ Gill-Howard said.

“Gill-Howard is a relentless defensive lineman who has climbed from the Division II level to a starting role in the Big 12,’’ per CBS Sports analysis. “Despite being undersized for the interior, he plays with incredible energy and leverages his wrestling background to overpower larger blockers.’’

NFL analyst Lance Zierlein said: “He needs to major in disruption and chaos to find a long-term home as a rotational, upfield tackle.’’

In the seventh round, the Lions drafted Tyre West, who started just five games in four seasons at Tennessee.

Zierlein wrote: “West’s snap and start counts are unusually low for a draftable prospect. He has the bone thickness of an interior defender, but a chunk of his collegiate reps came at 5-technique and even-front defensive end. He’s a solid athlete with good quickness but below-average hand usage. He appears capable of sinking and anchoring but will be tested against interior double teams on the next level. West’s ability to pressure the pocket could earn him an opportunity at the next level.’’

Fifth round: Lions draft CB Keith Abney II and WR Kendrick Law

ALLEN PARK — The Lions added depth at wide receiver and defensive back with a pair of fifth-round picks on Sautrday.

The Lions made their third straight defensive draft pick, selecting CB Keith Abney II in the fifth round (157th overall) on Saturday.

In 2025, Abney started 12 games at Arizona State and led the Sun Devils with 12 PBUs. He also notched 2 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles, 44 tackles and a sack. In 2024 He started all 14 games and led the teams with 9 PBUs and 3 interceptions. 

He was projected by some to be a third-round pick but slid to fifth.

“The wait doesn’t even matter. I’m just glad to be a Lion. It means everything — a great program, great culture, cheat coaches, great people around. I’m blessed to be here,’’ Abney said on a Zoom call. “Feeling all the emotions, dropped a couple tears. It’s a dream come true and the Lions happen to be one of my favorite teams.’’

He said the Lions have been one of his favorites since 2021 or so mentioning Megatron, Calvin Johnson. 

Abney lists his football IQ as one of his strengths. “I pride myself on being a smart player, watch a lot of film and understand concepts and understand formations, pick up on tendencies. My feet and my toughness. That’s why I love this team – it’s a tough team I’m joining and I’ll fit right in,’’ Abney said.

Abney, 21, was a four-time national champion speed skater growing up. He gave it up in ninth grade but credits the roller sport for his endurance.

NFL analyst Lance Zierlein’s wrote about Abney: “Feisty boundary corner with the makeup to slide inside and become a problem for offenses as a pro nickelback.”

Then the Lions sent  fifth-and sixth-round picks to the Buffalo Bills to trade up 13 spots to 168 in the fifth round to draft to select WR Kendrick Law.

The 5-11 wide receiver played his first three seasons at Alabama before transferring to Kentucky for the 2025 season. He led the Wildcats with 53 receptions, 540 receiving yards (10.2 per), 3 receiving TDs. He played in 12 games with 8 starts (8-53-6.6 rushing; 9-174-19.3 KR; 3-8-2.7 PR). 

Zierlein’s report: “Alabama transfer with a compact build whose primary function at Kentucky was to add yards after the catch on quick throws near the line of scrimmage. Law ran a limited route tree, with most of his 2025 targets thrown behind the line. Tight hips dull downfield route breaks and he rarely runs routes at his true speed. He has strong hands to make contested grabs and breaks tackles on a regular basis with the ball in his hands. Law’s special-teams background at Alabama helps but might not be enough for him to stick on a roster.”

In the first four rounds the Lions drafted OT Blake Miller (17th overall), EDGE Derrick Moore (44th) and LB Jimmy Rolder (118th).

Lions draft LB Jimmy Rolder in 4th; 2nd Michigan defenseman in 2 days

ALLEN PARK — The Detroit Lions drafted a second straight Michigan Wolverine, when they selected linebacker Jimmy Rolder with their only pick in the fourth round (118 overall) on Saturday.

On Friday, Detroit drafted EDGE Derrick Moore (Michigan) in the second round.

Rolder said it’s going to be “awesome” to play again with Moore. Those two join EDGE Aidan Hutchinson who was drafted out of Michigan in 2022.

What makes the Michigan defense stand out? “I think just the way we play at Michigan. The way we play defense,’’ Rolder said. “We held our hat on playing physical, playing tough, playing with high effort.’’

In 2025, his first year as a starter, Rolder led Michigan with 73 tackles. He 11 starts in 12 games (7 TFLs with 2 sacks, INT, 2 PBUs).

“I just really started coming into my own. I think I’m really just getting started,’’ Rolder said on a conference call on Saturday. “I had that one year of starting and as I was playing I was playing with more and more confidence each week. I think the ceiling is way way high now. I’m excited to take it to the next level and keep working on things.’’

NFL analyst Lance Zierlein said Rolder’s instincts and run-game consistency make it hard to believe he was only a one-year starter in college. 

When Rolder was getting recruited out of high school he particiapted on a Zoom call with Lions LB Jack Campbell who was playing for Iowa at the time.

“Reconvening with him, playing with him at the next level it’s going to be awesome,’’ Rolder said. “Then obviously coming in, competing with other guys in the room, pushing each other to get better everyday in practice.’’

Rolder was a multi-sport athlete at Marist High School in Orland Park, Ill., where he helped the football team to an appearance in the Class 8A State semifinal. He had committed to play Division I baseball at Illinois. But it was during COVID, a tumultuous time. In the end football won out.

“I like baseball, but I love football,’’ said Rolder, who also enjoys playing golf.

When he got the call from Lions GM Brad Holmes Saturday, Rolder was sitting on a golf cart working with his stepdad, Scott Kehoe (Illinois, Miami Dolphins) at the Champions 4 Children charity golf outing in Fort Myers, Fla.