The Detroit Lions selected Texas Tech defensive tackle Skyler Gill-Howard with the 205th overall pick in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft on Saturday.
Gill-Howard started his career at Northern Illinois before making the move to Texas Tech, playing for a Red Raiders squad that made the College Football Playoff.
Gill-Howard appeared in just six games last season, making 13 tackles, 2½ tackles for loss and half a sack.
Feb 26, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan linebacker Jimmy Rolder (LB22) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesMichigan linebacker Jimmy Rolder (30) celebrates a Michigan State turnover during the first half at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing on Saturday, October 25, 2025.Aug 31, 2024; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines linebacker Jimmy Rolder (30) celebrates a play in the second half against the Fresno State Bulldogs at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY SportsMichigan linebacker Jimmy Rolder (30) reacts after a tackle against Wisconsin during the first half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025.Michigan linebacker Jimmy Rolder (30) tackles Washington wide receiver Dezmen Roebuck (81) during the second half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.Michigan linebacker Jimmy Rolder (30) high fives fans before a game against Wisconsin at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025.Former Michigan Wolverines great Charles Woodson talks to linebacker Jimmy Rolder (30) prior to the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich. on Nov. 29, 2025. Ohio State won 27-9.Michigan linebacker Jimmy Rolder (30) celebrates an interception against Washington during the second half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.Michigan linebacker Jimmy Rolder (30) tackles Michigan State quarterback Aidan Chiles (2) during the first half at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing on Saturday, October 25, 2025.Michigan linebacker Jimmy Rolder (30) pressures Michigan State quarterback Aidan Chiles (2) during the second half at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing on Saturday, October 25, 2025.1 / 10Meet Detroit Lions' Day 3 picks in 2026 NFL DraftFeb 26, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan linebacker Jimmy Rolder (LB22) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images1 / 10Meet Detroit Lions' Day 3 picks in 2026 NFL DraftFeb 26, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan linebacker Jimmy Rolder (LB22) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images2 / 10Meet Detroit Lions' Day 3 picks in 2026 NFL DraftMichigan linebacker Jimmy Rolder (30) celebrates a Michigan State turnover during the first half at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing on Saturday, October 25, 2025.3 / 10Meet Detroit Lions' Day 3 picks in 2026 NFL DraftAug 31, 2024; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines linebacker Jimmy Rolder (30) celebrates a play in the second half against the Fresno State Bulldogs at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports4 / 10Meet Detroit Lions' Day 3 picks in 2026 NFL DraftMichigan linebacker Jimmy Rolder (30) reacts after a tackle against Wisconsin during the first half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025.5 / 10Meet Detroit Lions' Day 3 picks in 2026 NFL DraftMichigan linebacker Jimmy Rolder (30) tackles Washington wide receiver Dezmen Roebuck (81) during the second half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.6 / 10Meet Detroit Lions' Day 3 picks in 2026 NFL DraftMichigan linebacker Jimmy Rolder (30) high fives fans before a game against Wisconsin at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025.7 / 10Meet Detroit Lions' Day 3 picks in 2026 NFL DraftFormer Michigan Wolverines great Charles Woodson talks to linebacker Jimmy Rolder (30) prior to the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich. on Nov. 29, 2025. Ohio State won 27-9.8 / 10Meet Detroit Lions' Day 3 picks in 2026 NFL DraftMichigan linebacker Jimmy Rolder (30) celebrates an interception against Washington during the second half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.9 / 10Meet Detroit Lions' Day 3 picks in 2026 NFL DraftMichigan linebacker Jimmy Rolder (30) tackles Michigan State quarterback Aidan Chiles (2) during the first half at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing on Saturday, October 25, 2025.10 / 10Meet Detroit Lions' Day 3 picks in 2026 NFL DraftMichigan linebacker Jimmy Rolder (30) pressures Michigan State quarterback Aidan Chiles (2) during the second half at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing on Saturday, October 25, 2025."Gill-Howard is an undersized one-gapper using suddenness and leverage to elude the clenches of bigger players," NFL analyst Lance Zierlein said in his breakdown. "He plays with a non-stop motor and palpable sense of urgency, creating wins off the snap against the run and pass. He gives blockers no reps off. His secondary effort and block counters keeps him in the play longer. Gill-Howard lacks functional size and length, which will make him both scheme- and matchup-dependent as a pro. He needs to major in disruption and chaos to find a long-term home as a rotational, upfield tackle.
The Lions addressed their greatest needs during the first two days of the draft, selecting Clemson offensive tackle Blake Miller in the first round and Michigan edge defender Derrick Moore in the second.
On Day 3, the Lions started off by picking Jimmy Rolder, a second straight Wolverine, then picked Arizona State CB Keith Abney II and Kentucky WR Kendrick Law in the fifth round.
Detroit is set to make one more picks this afternoon in Round 7.
Customize your Free Press experience: Download our app for the latest news, alerts, eNewspaper and more.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Lions pick Texas Tech DT Skyler Gill-Howard in Round 6 of NFL draft