Draft 2026: OG/C - Emmanuel Pregnon, Jake Slaughter, Connor Lew
Should the Lions take a risk on an ACL tear?
The Lions will be looking for a starting caliber interior offensive lineman this offseason. Here are 3 prospects who could be available in the 2nd round, which is instant starter territory… unless you’re rehabbing from an ACL tear.
The Lions found long-term success with Jameson Williams who was rehabbing from an ACL entering his rookie season. Could this sway the Lions to try that move again with one of the players below?
For the full NFL 2026 draft prospect medical concern page, click here.
Medical concern level ranges from 0 (no concern) to 5 (might be worth the risk if the reward is high) to 10 (take him off your board, Brad).
(Ages in parentheses are at start of 2026 season and are factored into the concern level. Injury info and ages based on available public information and are unverified - subject to update. Games played data courtesy of sports-reference.com.)
Quick summary of medical concern levels
Emmanuel Pregnon, OG (uncertain age, 24?): Age, minor leg/ankle - concern level 2/10
Jake Slaughter, C (23): Shoulder surgery - concern level 4/10
Connor Lew, C (21): ACL - concern level 5/10
Emmanuel Pregnon, OG (uncertain age, 24?) - Oregon
Projected round 2-3. #38 on Jeff Risdon board Feb 19.
Concern level 2/10 (pending age)
2025: 15/15 games. Exited game with leg injury in Game 1.
2024 (USC): 13/13 games. Minor ankle injury.
2023 (USC): 13/13 games
2022 (Wyoming): 11/13 games
2021 (Wyoming): 1 game
Pregnon has a couple minor injuries that are not suspected to be of concern long-term. He has been very reliable the past 3 seasons having not missed a game. The only concern is his likely older age which I’m estimating at around 24.
The Lions have shown they are not averse to taking a 24-year-old OG in the 2nd round (Tate Ratledge). If Pregnon falls to the 2nd, it could be déjà vu.
Jake Slaughter, C (23) - Florida
Projected round 2-3. #78 on Jeff Risdon board Feb 19.
Concern level 4/10
2025: 12/12 games. Shoulder surgery in the spring.
2024: 13/13 games
2023: 12/12 games
2022: 13/13 games
2021: 1 game
Slaughter has been extraordinarily reliable in his college career. However, he did have shoulder surgery prior to his final season. It’s reassuring that there is a full season of tape after the surgery though.
His slightly older age raises the concern level by a notch.
Connor Lew, C (21) - Auburn
Projected round 2-4. #73 on Jeff Risdon board Feb 19.
Concern level 5/10
2025: 7/12 games. ACL tear on October 18, 2025 ended his season.
2024: 12/12 games
2023: 11/13 games
With a fairly typical 11-month recovery, Lew could be available sometime in September - and even possibly for the start of the season. Many players are not quite back to form in their first season back though (see Alim McNeill). Thus, there is significant performance risk for the 2026 season which is compounded by the fact that he will be an NFL rookie.
An isolated ACL tear has a very reliable recovery long-term. However, if the injury includes associated cartilage damage, then that would pose long-term concerns. The operating room report on the knee cartilage will be very important here.
If there is no cartilage damage and if the Lions can wait until 2027 for full productivity, then Lew would be a low-risk selection. His young age is a major positive, especially since he may get a “redshirt” rookie season.
Jameson Williams has been extremely healthy and reliable since his recovery from his end-of-college ACL. The Lions long-term success with Williams could sway their decision regarding Lew.
Click below for more interior OL options which includes the top prospect this year…
