Detroit Lions 2026 NFL Draft Need Analysis: Tight End
· Yahoo Sports
The 2026 NFL Draft is fast approaching which makes it a good time to review the Lions' positional needs and how it may impact their draft strategy. Last year, defensive tackle got the biggest combined need score, and the Lions indeed filled that position in the 1st round with Tyleik Williams.
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For the complete offensive positional breakdown, read Detroit Lions 2026 Draft Needs: OFFENSE Positional Rankings + Injury Impact.
The following is the review of the TE position.
The combined need score is the summation of positional need (0-5) plus medical concern level (0-5). The higher the score, the greater the need. I’m reserving the focus to the starters and key backups here, with health of the starters weighted more heavily.
(In parentheses are player age at the start of the 2026 season, signed-through year, and medical concern level.) *Projected starters.
Tight End
- *Sam LaPorta (25, 2026, 9/10) - The herniated disc surgery creates uncertainty on multiple levels with recovery, reliability, blocking performance… and a potential contract extension which would have been a sure thing pre-injury.
- Brock Wright (27, 2026, 2/10) - His season-ending trachea injury shouldn’t be a problem for 2026.
- Tyler Conklin (31, 2026, 2/10) - Older, but very reliable.
- Thomas Gordon (26, 2026, 0/10) - Young, with low mileage.
The Lions have a nicely-rounded room of TE’s with an elite star in LaPorta. The backups should be solid for 2026. However, all the current TE’s are in the final year of their deal which makes this position a long-term need.
Medical concern 4/5LaPorta’s spine uncertainty weighs very heavily here, as the backups have low concerns.
TOTAL 6/10For more Lions coverage, follow us on X, @TheLionsWire, and give our Facebook page a like. Follow Jimmy on X, @JimmyLiaoMD
This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Detroit Lions 2026 NFL Draft Need Analysis: Tight End