Jan. 5, 2026, 6:45 a.m. ET
The Detroit Lions‘ 2025 NFL season has come to a close. The Lions ended it on a high note, downing the Chicago Bears, 19-16, with a walk-off, 42-yard field goal from Jake Bates.
For Detroit, its 9-8 finish is a disappointing one, though. The Lions’ reign atop the NFC North ends after back-to-back division titles and Detroit failed in its pursuit of a third consecutive trip to the postseason.
As the Lions look to retool ahead of the 2026 campaign, many conversations on how Detroit can improve will center upon restoring the strength of its offensive line.
On Sunday, the Lions’ 2026 opponents and its first-round NFL draft pick were finalized. The Lions own the No. 17 overall pick after their win over the Bears and the rest of Week 18’s results. Naturally, USA TODAY Sports’ first 2026 NFL mock draft has the Lions addressing its offensive line.
Solid to the core in pass protection and a true punisher in the run game, Mauigoa will up the physicality of whatever front he joins. That’s something that Dan Campbell would covet as he tries to re-establish Detroit’s ability to set the tone up front with a stronger interior. – Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA TODAY Sports
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A 6-foot-6, 335-pound lineman, Mauigoa is originally from Ili’ili, American Samoa. Mauigoa has started all 40 games for Miami over the past three seasons at right tackle, though some feel he could slide inside and be an All-Pro caliber guard in the NFL.
As the Lions turn their attention toward free agency and then to the 2026 NFL draft, Mauigoa is an early name to watch in Detroit.
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