Detroit Lions select Tyre West with 222nd pick in NFL draft

7 articles · Updated · SideLion Report · Apr 25

The Lions used a pick acquired in the Za'Darius Smith trade to draft Tennessee defensive lineman Tyre West in the seventh round, potentially outmaneuvering the New York Jets.
West, who played both defensive end and interior roles in college, joins Skylar Gill-Howard as the Lions' only defensive linemen drafted in 2026, adding depth to an injury-prone position group.
Despite limited snaps and production in 2025, West's versatility and potential to pressure the pocket will be evaluated during training camp as Detroit bolsters its defensive options for the upcoming season.

Is Tyre West a versatile defensive weapon or a lineman without a true position at the NFL level?

Why did the Jets show so much interest in West, only to let the Lions 'steal' him away?

Do West's elite athletic traits outweigh the significant red flags highlighted in his scouting reports?

Two years later, who truly won the complex Za'Darius Smith trade involving three NFL teams?

How does the Lions' draft strategy turn late-round prospects into key cultural and schematic fits?