Draft 2026: OT - Spencer Fano, Francis Mauigoa, Kadyn Proctor, Caleb Lomu
The Lions are in urgent need of an offensive tackle. Here are some 1st-round options.
The NFL draft starts on April 23. As draft candidates for the Lions emerge over the next few weeks, I’ll post my health concern levels for select prospects. The concern level will range from 0 (no concern) to 5 (might be worth the risk if the reward is high) to 10 (take him off your board, Brad).
Today, I highlight 4 OT’s the Lions may consider - 3 of whom have already been mocked to the Lions at #17 by top analysts.
Offensive tackle is a very high priority this offseason - maybe #1 - due to the likely retirement of Taylor Decker. Like Decker, 2 of the following prospects have a history of shoulder issues which will certainly give the Lions some pause.
(Ages in parentheses are at start of 2026 season and are factored into the concern level. Injury info and ages based on available public information and are unverified - subject to update. Games played data courtesy of sports-reference.com.)
Quick Summary
Spencer Fano, RT (21): Clean - 0/10 concern
Francis Mauigoa, OT (21): Bilateral shoulder surgery - 4/10 concern
Kadyn Proctor, OT (21): Possible torn shoulder labrum - 3/10 concern
Caleb Lomu, LT (?): Clean. Pending age - 0/10 concern
Spencer Fano, OT (21) - Utah
Projected round 1. #12 on Daniel Jeremiah board Jan 27. Mocked to Lions at #17 by PFF.
Concern level 0/10
2025: 12/13 games. Limped off in 2nd to last game, but returned next game. Opted out of bowl.
2024: 12/12 games
2023: 13/13 games
Fano has been very reliable in college. His position of RT at Utah works out just fine as I expect Penei Sewell to be moved to LT. His young age is a big positive.
Francis Mauigoa, OT (21) - Miami
Projected round 1. #13 on Daniel Jeremiah board Jan 27.
Concern level 4/10
2025: 16/16 games
2024: 13/13 games
2023: 13/13 games. After the season, bilateral shoulder labrum surgery in 2024.
Mauigoa’s reliability has been good in the 2 years after the shoulder surgeries which is reassuring. What may help balance out that shoulder history is his young age.
Kadyn Proctor, OT (21) - Alabama
Projected round 1. #28 on Daniel Jeremiah board Jan 27. Mocked to Lions at #17 by Bucky Brooks at NFL.com.
Concern level 3/10
2025: 15/15 games.
2024: 11/13 games. Shoulder injury (rumored torn labrum) kept him out the first 2 games.
2023: 14/14 games
There was some hubbub online when a Lion scout was seen talking to Proctor at the Shrine Bowl. We shouldn’t read too much into that as the Lions are going to be talking to every prospective OT on the planet this offseason.
The shoulder injury will need evaluation to see if it’s something that might require surgery in the future. His young age is a big plus.
Caleb Lomu, LT (age uncertain) - Utah
Projected round 1. #29 on Daniel Jeremiah board Jan 27. Mocked to Lions at #17 by Jeff Risdon.
Concern level 0-2/10 (pending age)
2025: 12/13 games. Opted out of bowl
2024: 12/12 games
2023: 3 games
There are no noted injuries for Lomu, who has been reliable the past 2 seasons. The question mark is his age which is unknown. If he’s 22 or under, his concern level is 0. If he’s 24, his concern level rises to 2. Age matters for healing power, wear-and-tear, and contractual issues like 5th-year options and extensions.
Read more on Taylor Decker’s injury history and why OT will be a high-priority target for the Lions this offseason…
Taylor Decker injury analysis as he weighs retirement
Taylor Decker has been notably dealing with a right shoulder issue for the past 2 seasons. But he also has an accumulation of other injuries recently which will weigh into his retirement decision.
Good stuff, Doc. Do you have a preference?