This is the danger zone of the draft.
Picks 17 through 20 typically belong to teams that hovered around the playoff picture — competitive enough to matter, flawed enough to be exposed. And in 2026, that description fits this group perfectly.
The Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Carolina Panthers, and Green Bay Packers (whose selection now belongs to the Dallas Cowboys following the Micah Parsons trade) all enter draft weekend with real expectations — but also very real roster pressure points.
These aren’t teardown teams. They’re close.
But “close” in the NFL can mean very different things. For some, it’s about fixing a defense that couldn’t get off the field in January. For others, it’s about offensive consistency, depth in the trenches, or long-term answers at premium positions.
This range is often where teams must decide: double down on a strength or patch a weakness?
With veteran contracts maturing, cap flexibility tightening, and playoff windows narrowing, these selections carry more urgency than rebuilding picks at the top of the board. Miss here, and you stay stuck in the middle. Hit, and you’re hosting a playoff game next January.
In this batch, we break down:
- The biggest roster holes for each franchise
- Contract situations and future cap implications
- Which positions should be prioritized for veterans and rookies
- Potential fantasy football implications
These teams are close enough to contend — but not complete enough to coast.
Up next: the Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Carolina Panthers, and the Dallas Cowboys (via Green Bay’s selection).
Salary cap contract information provided by Spotrac.
- Fantasy Football Research & Advice
- Fantasy Football Expert Rankings
- 2026 NFL Mock Drafts
- Fantasy Football Trade Tools
- NFL Team Needs: Raiders, Jets, Cardinals, Titans (2026)
- NFL Team Needs: Giants, Browns, Commanders, Saints (2026)
- NFL Team Needs: Chiefs, Bengals, Dolphins, Cowboys (2026)
- NFL Team Needs: Falcons, Ravens, Buccaneers, Colts (2026)
- NFL Team Needs: Lions, Vikings, Panthers, Packers (2026)
- NFL Team Needs: Steelers, Chargers, Eagles, Jaguars (2026)
Pick 17: Detroit Lions
2026 Free Agents:
- QB: Kyle Allen
- WR: Kalif Raymond, Tom Kennedy (RFA)
- TE: Anthony Firkser, Shane Zylstra
- OL: G Kayode Awosika, G Trystan Colon-Castillo, RT Jamarco Jones
- EDGE: Marcus Davenport, Josh Paschal, Al-Quadin Muhammad, Tyrus Wheat (RFA)
- DL: D.J. Reader, Levi Onwuzurike, Roy Lopez
- LB: Alex Anzalone, Grant Stuard, Zach Cunningham, Ezekiel Turner, Trevor Nowaske (RFA), Malcolm Rodriguez
- CB: Amik Robertson, Avonte Maddox, Jalen Mills, Arthur Maulet, Rock Ya-Sin, Dicaprio Bootle
- S: Daniel Thomas
- ST: Jake Bates (ERFA)
2027 Free Agents:
- RB: Jahmyr Gibbs (CLUB), Jacob Saylors (ERFA), Jabari Small (ERFA)
- WR: Malik Cunningham (ERFA), Jackson Meeks (ERFA)
- TE: Brock Wright, Sam LaPorta, Zach Horton (ERFA), Thomas Gordon (ERFA)
- OL: C Graham Glasgow, RT Colby Sorsdal, RT Devin Cochran (ERFA), OT Mason Miller (ERFA), C Seth McLaughlin (ERFA)
- EDGE: Ahmed Hassanein (ERFA)
- DL: Tyler Lacy, Chris Smith (RFA)
- LB: Jack Campbell (CLUB)
- CB: Khalil Dorsey, Nick Whiteside (ERFA)
- S: Brian Branch, Loren Strickland (RFA), Thomas Harper (RFA)
- ST: Jack Fox, Hogan Hatten (RFA)
Team Needs: C, OT, EDGE, LB, DT, CB
Center Frank Ragnow’s retirement before the start of last season caused a ripple effect that negatively impacted the blocking upfront. The Lions were in such a bad spot that they tried to get him to come back out of retirement, but he suffered a hamstring injury that eliminated any chance of return.
OT Taylor Decker dealt with injuries as the season progressed (also mulling retirement). 34-year-old IOL Graham Glasgow is a potential cut candidate in the final year of his deal. Guard Christian Mahogany also got hurt in 2025. Dan Skipper retired (joined the team as an OL coach).
RB David Montgomery also remains a potential salary cap cut candidate. Holmes was non-committal on his return to the team in 2026, as they look to get on the positive side of the salary cap.
Drew Petzing is stepping in as the offensive coordinator after serving in that role for the last three seasons in Arizona. Petzing’s addition is a clear nod to getting back an effective rushing attack that wasn’t as effective in 2025 for Detroit.
Jahmyr Gibbs will remain the focal point, but another RB filling Monty’s void is a real possibility if the team moves on. James Conner and Jerome Ford could be some cheaper replacement options for ‘Knuckles.’ The Lions could also select a bigger back in this year’s draft.
Defensively, the team has been gutted by injuries in the last two seasons. More CB depth is a must with Amik Robertson/Arthur Malet/Rock Ya-Sin potentially gone as free agents.
Another pass rusher opposite Aidan Hutchinson is also a big need. Al-Quadin Muhammad‘s 12 sacks are hitting the open market. Another DT also makes some sense with three guys from last year all hitting FA.
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