The NFL Draft is a game of "what ifs." Sometimes, the story isn't about the player a team selects—it's about the one they let slip through their fingers.

For Detroit Lions fans, the name Eric Ebron might still sting. He turned out to be a decent player, sure. But when you look at the three picks that followed him—Taylor Lewan, Odell Beckham Jr., and Aaron Donald—that "decent" pick suddenly feels like a missed opportunity of epic proportions.

In our latest Detroit Lions 2026 Draft roundtable, we're flipping the script. Instead of celebrating the picks Brad Holmes and company made, we're debating the ones they didn't. Think of it as our chance to play general manager—though, as last year's picks remind us, it doesn't always go as planned. Our 2025 wish list included Derrick Harmon (27 tackles, 3.0 sacks), Elic Ayomanor (515 catches, 4 TDs), Josaiah Stewart (22 tackles, 3.0 sacks), J.T. Tuimoloau (0 starts, 17 tackles, no sacks), and Fadil Diggs (0 tackles, 5 games played).

But hey, even Brad Holmes isn't perfect. Here's what our staff would have done differently.

Al Karsten: Stay Put at 50, or Swing for Max Llewellyn in the 7th

I get why the Lions moved up for Derrick Moore—he was their top Day 2 defensive end, and Brad Holmes trusted his board enough to go get him. But I would've loved to see them stay at No. 50, keep that early Day 3 capital, and let the board come to them. Whether it was Moore, Gabe Jacas, or Zion Young, one of those edge rushers would have been there.

If I had to pick one alternative, I'm intrigued by Tyre West's potential as a five-technique with interior versatility. But if we're talking pure pass-rush juice, give me Iowa's Max Llewellyn in the seventh round. He could have filled that designated pass-rush role—think Al-Quadin Muhammad's usage—while battling Ahmed Hassanein for a roster spot. High upside, low risk.

Erik Schlitt: Trade Up for Nickelback Keionte Scott in the Fourth Round

The Buccaneers snagged nickelback Keionte Scott at pick No. 116. Just two spots later, the Lions took linebacker Jimmy Rolder. In a league where slot corners are becoming as valuable as starting safeties, Scott's versatility and coverage skills would have been a perfect fit for Aaron Glenn's defense. Sometimes, the best move is to be aggressive for the right chess piece.