The Detroit Lions entered December believing their roster was finally balanced enough to make a deep playoff run without radical adjustments. But Brian Branch’s season-ending Achilles injury has changed everything. The loss of their most versatile defensive back — a player who blurred the lines between safety, nickel, and hybrid linebacker — has not only reshaped the final weeks of the season, but it has forced the front office to confront a stark truth about their long-term roster construction. What once looked like a stable defensive core now contains an unmistakable void, and that void has immediately pushed safety to the top of Detroit’s 2026 draft priorities.

Branch wasn’t simply productive; he was structural. His intelligence , his physicality in the slot, and his ability to erase space in the middle of the field allowed the Lions to disguise coverages and dictate pace. Without him, Detroit must reconsider how its defensive identity operates — and more importantly, how it will be replenished. While early mock drafts had the Lions targeting edge rushers or offensive line reinforcements in the first round, Branch’s injury has fundamentally altered the calculus. The safety class in 2026 is not considered deep, which means if Detroit waits too long, the value may evaporate before Day 2 begins. That reality alone may force Brad Holmes to deviate from his well-established best-player-available philosophy.

Dillon Thieneman, the Oregon Ducks standout, has emerged as the most logical option — not because he is the absolute best defensive player available, but because he brings the traits most urgently needed in Detroit’s scheme. At Oregon and previously at Purdue, Thieneman built a reputation for violent, precise tackling and a natural ability to diagnose run fits. His highlight tape shows a player unafraid to initiate contact, with instincts that mirror the rugged identity Detroit wants in its back seven. While he isn’t the turnover machine he once was as a freshman, his reliability and physicality jump off the screen. In a league increasingly dependent on versatile safeties who can both close space and command traffic, Thieneman fits the profile of a modern solution.

Beyond Thieneman, the Lions also address another foundational need in this mock draft: long-term stability on the offensive line. Utah’s Spencer Fano, widely viewed as the top tackle prospect in the 2026 class, offers exactly that. For years, Detroit has built its success around a strong offensive line, but injuries and future contract considerations make tackle depth a looming concern. Fano’s athleticism and polish make him a clear candidate to eventually succeed or reinforce a unit anchored by Frank Ragnow. Detroit cannot assume its current line will stay intact forever, and landing Fano would be a move that protects their competitive window.

Still, Holmes and the Lions front office face a more complicated landscape than simply slotting prospects into obvious needs. Detroit’s roster remains competitive, and addressing positions like edge rusher and left guard may require a balance between free agency aggression and draft-day finesse. The Lions currently lack a third-round pick, which compresses their margin for maneuvering on Day 2. With only two selections in the first two rounds, every decision carries enormous weight. Will the Lions gamble on a safety early, knowing the board lacks depth? Will they trust their ability to find value at edge later, or will they aggressively pursue a veteran to fill that role?

Branch’s injury has exposed how thin the Lions’ secondary depth truly is. Even with Jack Campbell and Alex Anzalone providing stability at linebacker, and Kerby Joseph anchoring deep coverage, Detroit cannot replicate Branch’s unique skill set from within the roster. If Anzalone departs in the offseason, the urgency doubles. Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn built many of Detroit’s pressures, rotations, and disguises around Branch’s adaptability. Without a similar player, the system must evolve — or the Lions must replace a cornerstone with another cornerstone.

Holmes has shown in past draft cycles that he isn’t afraid to get aggressive when the moment demands it. Trading up for Jameson Williams, moving decisively for Jahmyr Gibbs, and building around foundational talents like Penei Sewell speak to a general manager willing to redefine conventional expectations. If the Lions truly believe Thieneman or another safety prospect can stabilize the entire back end, Holmes may take him earlier than analysts predict — even in the first round.

As of today, Detroit’s draft strategy looks nothing like it did just a month ago. Branch’s injury didn’t simply remove a player; it removed a schematic linchpin. And as the Lions prepare for a playoff push with a weakened secondary, their future now hinges on whether Brad Holmes can turn a setback into a structural rebuild. The 2026 draft will determine whether Detroit strengthens its rising defensive identity — or whether Branch’s absence becomes the first crack in a roster that must evolve quickly to keep pace with expectations.