Revisiting the Detroit Lions' Five Worst Draft Picks of the Last Decade
The 2026 NFL Draft has concluded, and teams are now preparing for training camps. This is a good time to reflect on past draft picks that did not work out for each team. Let's take a look at the Detroit Lions' five worst draft selections from the last decade.
In the 2016 draft, the Lions selected Okwara with hopes of him being a versatile pass rusher. However, injuries limited his playing time, and he struggled to make an impact on the field. Okwara spent the 2025 season on Cleveland's practice squad, far from the impact player the Lions had hoped for.
Hooker was a highly anticipated pick for the Lions, with some believing he could become a future starter. However, his tenure in Detroit was short-lived, lasting only two seasons before being released. The expectations for Hooker did not materialize, leaving fans disappointed in his performance.
The Lions have had a history of drafting running backs who failed to meet expectations. Players like Jahvid Best, Mikel Leshoure, Ameer Abdullah, and Johnson were all early-round picks that did not live up to their potential. Despite recent successes with Gibbs and Swift, the Lions' track record with running backs has been disappointing.
Tabor was thought to be a good fit for the Lions' defensive scheme but struggled to make an impact. His lack of range and performance on the field led to his release after just two seasons with the team. Tabor never developed into a key contributor and was limited to a depth role and special teams duties.
Looking back at the Lions' draft history over the past decade, these picks stand out as disappointments. As the team moves forward, they will need to make better choices in the draft to avoid repeating past mistakes. Reflecting on these selections can help the Lions learn from their errors and improve their drafting strategy in the future.