With Pick 205th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions selected Texas Tech defensive tackle Skyler Gill-Howard.
At 6-foot-1, 280 pounds, Gill-Howard is more of a three-tech defender and potential pass rusher. In 2024, with Northern Illinois, he produced 52 tackles, eight tackles for loss, and 5.0 sacks. Last year after transferring to Texas Tech, he saw his season cut short to just six games after suffering an ankle injury. In that limited time, he had 13 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, and this pick-six.
THICC SIX 🔥📺 TNT & MAX https://t.co/mpiBdG51va pic.twitter.com/82IX3dbLnl
— Texas Tech Football (@TexasTechFB) September 6, 2025
It’s worth noting that Gill-Howard was one of the highest scorers on our Grit Index, earning a 9.42 mark—the highest among all interior defenders and eighth-highest in this entire draft class, regardless of position.
In Detroit, he’ll likely compete for a reserve defensive tackle role behind Alim McNeill, Levi Onwuzurike, and last year’s first-round pick Tyleik Williams. He’ll be in direct competition with Mekhi Wingo.
The Lions have just one more remaining pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Their final pick is in the seventh round, 222 overall.
What: Rounds 4-7When: Saturday, April 25 — Noon ET until around 7 p.m. ETTV: ABC, ESPN, NFL NetworkOnline streaming: ESPN app, NFL Plus, ABC, Hulu, Disney+