The Detroit Lions added seven new faces in the 2026 NFL Draft, and if there's one thing that stands out about this class, it's grit—pure, unfiltered, Lions-style grit. Some of these rookies are poised to compete for starting roles right away, while others will fight for situational snaps or a spot on the roster. But no matter where they land, each player brings a unique toughness that fits the identity of this franchise.

This offseason, the Lions rolled out the fourth edition of the Grit Index, a system designed to put numbers behind the word "grit." By pulling data from top NFL Draft analysts and looking for key traits and terminology, the index helps paint a picture of what the Lions truly value. It's not a perfect system—no draft evaluation tool is—but it’s a fascinating piece of the puzzle.

This year, the Grit Index got a makeover. The goal? To better align with what general manager Brad Holmes looks for in a player. After the tweaks, 30 prospects earned an "elite" score of 9.0 or higher—about 7% of the top 400-plus players in the draft. Of those, six reached "upper elite" status (9.5+), making up just 1% of the entire class.

Here’s where it gets interesting: 28 of those elite-grit players were drafted, including six in the first round, 10 on Day 2, and 12 on Day 3. Two went undrafted but still carry that high-grit label. Among the upper-elite group, four were first-round picks, and the other two were off the board by pick No. 43—early in the second round.

While there were nearly enough elite-grit players for every NFL team to grab one, only 17 teams actually did. The Lions and the Bears (yes, Ben Johnson’s Bears) led the way, snagging a combined 25% of all elite-grit players drafted.

Teams with 2 elite Grit players: Colts, Dolphins (plus one UDFA), Raiders, Ravens, Steelers, and Texans

Teams with 1 elite Grit player: Broncos (UDFA), Chargers, Chiefs, Cowboys, Eagles, Jaguars, Jets, Panthers, and Patriots

Teams that drafted zero elite Grit players: 15 teams, including the Vikings and Packers

Now, let’s dive into how the Lions’ seven draft picks scored on the 2026 Grit Index and what their rankings mean for Detroit’s future.