Draft 2026: OT - Isaiah World, Caleb Tiernan, Markel Bell
Mid-round OT options who could develop into starters
With the recently-announced return of Taylor Decker for 2026, it opens up the option for the Lions to eschew a 1st round OT and instead take a later-round developmental OT.
See my previous article for analysis of Decker’s return and 2026 outlook…
Here are 3 OT prospects who should be available after the 1st round, and might be smart picks for 2027 and beyond. Two of the them are medically clean, while one is coming off an ACL tear.
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
Isaiah World, OT (uncertain age, 22-23?): ACL - 6/10 concern
Caleb Tiernan, OT (23): clean - 1/10 concern
Markel Bell, OT (uncertain age, 22-23?): clean - 0/10 concern
Isaiah World, OT (uncertain age, 22-23?) - Oregon
Projected round 3-6
Concern level 6/10
2025: 15/15 games. Left ACL tear in final game on January 9, 2026.
2024: 13/13 games
2023: 12/12 games
2022: 11/12 games
World tore his ACL almost to the day that Jameson Williams tore his (January 10, 2022). Jamo returned to play in an NFL game on December 4, 2022. Expect about the same length of recovery for World which would essentially wipe out his rookie season. World should ready for a full-time OT position in the 2027 season. This timing might be perfectly acceptable for the Lions who have Decker back for another year.
As seen with Williams, an ACL has a good chance of full recovery with no issues long-term. This does assume the ACL tear was isolated. If there was any associated cartilage damage, then that could present long-term concerns. World’s operating room report will be key.
The other issue that will need to be verified is his age. If he’s older than expected, then there will be fewer years left in his athletic prime after he recovers from the ACL.
Caleb Tiernan, OT (23) - Northwestern
Projected round 2-3. #42 on Jeff Risdon board Feb 19
Concern level 1/10
2025: 13/13 games
2024: 12/12 games
2023: 13/13 games
2022: 11/12 games
2021: 3 games
There are no reported injuries for Tiernan which makes him a very clean prospect. His slightly older-than-ideal age is the only demerit. Drafting a healthy, reliable OT to back up Decker in 2026 makes a lot of sense.
Markel Bell, OT (uncertain age, 22?) - Miami
Projected round 3-4
Concern level 0/10
2025: 16/16 games
2024: 12/13 games. Missed 1 game at end of regular season for unknown reasons.
2023-2022: Played at Holmes Community College
There are no reports of any injuries for Bell which makes him very clean. His age will need verification though.
If you want a young Dan Skipper clone, this guy might be it. He stands a towering 6’ 9” and weighs 358 lbs. With Skipper recently joining the Lions coaching staff as an offensive assistant, a mentor who can look Bell eye-to-eye is already in place.
Can he run routes like Skipper though? Well, that’s a tall ask...
If you want the Lions to get their future OT in the 1st round, here are some options…